Both LeBron James and Stephen Curry have achieved greatness in the NBA throughout their careers, whether discussing individual or team accolades. No doubt, these two players have been the most impactful stars in the NBA over the past decade and running. As a result, it is always standard to compare the two at different moments in their careers.
LeBron James is the greatest small forward of all time and one of the most dominant stars we have ever seen. Without a doubt, James is ranked within the top five by the vast majority of fans and pundits because his four titles, four Finals MVPs, four MVPs, and the all-time scoring record are undisputedly great. Anytime an all-time great player wants to be ranked, he will have to be placed in the same breath as LeBron James. Not to mention, this season, at age 38, James achieved great things by posting 28.9 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and 6.8 APG while shattering the scoring record as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.
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Meanwhile, Stephen Curry is the greatest shooter of all time and is widely known to have spearheaded the new modern era of basketball, where teams live and die by the three-point shot. It is no wonder why Curry and the Warriors have won four NBA championships because teams cannot shoot like them, no matter how hard they try. The amount of success Steph has had is truly incredible because his unselfishness has allowed other stars, such as Kevin Durant and Andre Iguodala, to shine despite the Warriors being the point guard’s team.
Curry’s latest 50-point explosion in Game 7 of the first round of the playoffs against the Sacramento Kings has thrust his name into conversation yet again among the all-time great players. With such a spectacular performance, Curry now sits atop a very impressive list of stars who dominated Game 7’s before. It is never easy to discuss total career achievements between players, but it is even harder to compare two stars playing right now. Specifically, is LeBron James at age 38 a better player than Stephen Curry at age 35 right now?
There is no doubt that The King is no longer in his prime, while Curry is probably still in his prime and coming out of it very soon over the next year or two. As a result, it is time to compare both James and Curry based on their performances, impact, and stats during the regular season and first round of the playoffs to get a definitive answer. Here is the ultimate player comparison broken down into skill categories and backed by the aforementioned factors.
Scoring – Stephen Curry
LeBron James is known as one of the greatest passers of all time, as he is an elite floor general and playmaker. The King, however, is still a talented scorer, as he has the all-time scoring record to his name. This season, James was still arguably the greatest player when it came to attacking the rim, although he did struggle from the perimeter in terms of percentages. The King posted 28.9 PPG on only 32.1% shooting from three, and while he shot a ton of outside shots because of his age, he posted a ton of points to his credit.
Stephen Curry will likely never be able to break LeBron James’ all-time scoring record, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t as good of a scorer overall, especially this season. Curry is the original marksman who can create his own shot from three, and he is probably the most lethal shooter we have ever seen when he is hot. Curry’s season average of 29.4 PPG on 42.7% shooting from three means he is an all-time great shooter who was on a tear all year long. So far in the playoffs, Steph is averaging 33.7 PPG on 37.8% shooting from three, which wraps up this comparison.
Overall, Stephen Curry had an unbelievable scoring year and is truly a force at putting the ball in the basket. Curry’s consistency as the best shooter ever gives him the advantage here this season, and that could be the case going forward as LeBron James nears 40 years of age over the next season or two.
Shooting – Stephen Curry
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LeBron was not an elite shooter this season when looking at his consistency, form, or percentages. James is best at scoring near the rim and might be the greatest scorer ever when it comes to attacking the rim. But James shot poorly from the free-throw line for his status (76.8% FT) and can’t make shots consistently. His three was also poor, 32.1%, and still attempted almost seven per game. When shooting two-pointers (paint shots included), James is terrific with a 58.0% field goal percentage. The King was far better at scoring inside than outside, and the numbers prove that.
Of course, Stephen Curry wins this category based on this season. The superstar point guard posted 29.4 PPG on 42.7% from deep, which is elite numbers for a miniature guard. Even at age 35, Curry can get his shots up without hesitation, and his confidence has been at an all-time high. When taking free throws into account, Stephen nailed 91.5% for the season and he continues to prove he is the greatest marksman ever. No comparison here, as Curry is the better shooter than LeBron James.
Athleticism – LeBron James
LeBron James is the greatest physical specimen that we have ever seen. At 6’9” and at least 250 lbs, James is a locomotive when he attacks the rim. Even at his age right now, James can dominate a game completely due to his athleticism and pure force. There is no stopping The King when he gets ahead of steam, and the play of letting LeBron attack the rim in crunch time is turning out to be the single most clutch move in the league right now. No doubt, James has elite athleticism even at 38 years old.
Stephen Curry is a bit underrated in terms of his athleticism. He has a slight frame and cannot leap like Ja Morant or other explosive guards, but he has a strong height at 6’3″ and is very quick with the ball. Off the ball, he is very effective coming off screens and seems to lose guys on defense. His stamina is simply amazing, and that comes into play when discussing athleticism. However, nobody will claim Curry is a better athlete than LeBron right now.
Defense – Even
LeBron James was a dominant defensive player in his prime, making six All-Defensive Teams and coming close to winning Defensive Player of the Year as a member of the Miami Heat when he finished runner-up to Marc Gasol in 2013. However, as he has aged, James has become inconsistent on defense due to the burden he has to carry on offense as a scorer and playmaker. He is still a dominant chase-down shot-blocker, however, and that comes into play when discussing defense. James posted 1.5 SPG and 0.8 BPG this season, strong numbers for a player who is not a defensive stopper anymore.
Stephen Curry is not known for his defense, and that’s for good reason because he has a ton of responsibility on offense and lacks the size to truly dominate on defense. Curry is often hidden on defense to keep him fresh and healthy for leading the offense on the other end and struggles to contain the much bigger players in the NBA. However, Steph has improved greatly in terms of one-on-one defense this year, and he posted 1.6 SPG and 0.2 BPG this season. LeBron has a better BPG number, but Steph has actually been solid on defense this year and is excellent at playing passing lanes. As a result, this one has to be even since Curry has been a better on-ball defender while James has been an excellent shot-blocker.
Handles – Stephen Curry
LeBron James has a few moves that are hard to stop right now. When he backs up with the ball and goes one-on-one with a defender, everyone knows he is attacking the rim, and there is no stopping the 6’9” locomotive. He also developed a solid spin move and has some decent post-moves right now as an older player. However, especially at his age, James won’t fool many defenders with his dribbling ability when force is not needed.
Meanwhile, Stephen Curry is one of the best ball handlers in the NBA. Other than Kyrie Irving, there probably isn’t a better player in the world who can use his handles to create space, stun defenders, and step back for his patented three-point jumper. Curry’s handles are simply amazing, and he has not slowed down at age 35, either. This is a category in which there is no comparison between The King and the greatest shooter ever, as Curry gains the advantage.
Clutch – LeBron James
LeBron James’ biggest criticism about his skill set has been about his clutch ability. The King is a pass-first player, meaning there will be countless instances where James will pass up big shots or trust his teammates to come through. However, based on this season alone, James has been extremely clutch. After all, look at the game-winning plays he made this season, including the playoff drive against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 4.
What about his pinpoint pass to Dennis Schroder in the play-in tournament against the Minnesota Timberwolves?
James is deadly in the clutch right now because he has seen every scenario before and knows how to get the best shot for his team.
Stephen Curry has also been clutch this season, and nothing is more evident of that than his 50-point closeout performance in Game 7 against the Sacramento Kings.
Steph is unstoppable when he gets going, and unfortunately for the Kings, they saw that happen first-hand. Curry has had a ton of big performances over his career, but this one might top them all because the Kings were not going away until the point guard put them away for good. Curry is deadly in the clutch because of his shooting, but he is not as refined in an all-around sense as LeBron right now, and The King gets the edge.
Leadership – LeBron James
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LeBron is an iconic leader, and he does it by uplifting his teammates. He never puts a foot wrong off the court and is a pristine leader when it comes to setting an example of how to act as a basketball player and global icon. James makes his teammates better, no question about that, and that is an act of leadership. James has done a tremendous job keeping the Lakers afloat despite the turbulent season that saw Russell Westbrook leave and a host of players come in, including D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Rui Hachimura.
Curry is respected across the entire NBA because of his ability to shoot the ball, and he is one of the most impactful players in NBA history. As the main ball handler and scorer on his team, the point guard must show leadership. So far, Steph has shown the ability to lead his team with shot-making and consistent performances on offense, along with being the franchise player for the Warriors. A humble character, Steph does it in his own way, but LeBron has had to handle far more turbulent circumstances this season and made it to the second round of the playoffs faster than Steph did.
Basketball IQ – LeBron James
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LeBron James is one of the smartest players of all time, and his ability to set up his teammates with passing is unreal. The King averaged 6.8 APG despite being a small forward who is also a primary scoring option, a testament to his greatness as a leader and floor general. LeBron also chipped in 8.3 RPG while scoring 28.9 PPG and had to carry a heavy load at 38 years old. The King has seen it all and has more experience than Steph, meaning he has a higher basketball IQ.
When it comes to basketball I.Q., Stephen Curry has to be respected. Curry seemed born with an incredible understanding of how to play the game, and he is a true student of the game. The way he dribbles in his pre-game routines and what he does on the floor every night is not only due to his skill and training but also to his basketball I.Q. Curry knows where to be on offense and moves without the ball better than anyone in the league. Curry’s basketball IQ is surreal, and he is among the top five in the world, but there is only one LeBron James.
Impact – Stephen Curry
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LeBron James’ impact as an all-around player is truly incredible, and could be the greatest triple-double threat of all time. The King can put up a triple-double during any game at this moment in time, and as a passer, he makes everyone better. James is still impacting the game at a high level although he is not quite as dominant as he used to be. The King has some games where he is a bystander because he can’t have MVP performances every time at 38 years old.
Meanwhile, we know Stephen Curry has changed the game, but his impact today is still at an all-time high. Both superstars score the ball at a high level and impact the game tremendously, but Curry is a step above right now. The fact that a slender point guard can dominate a game and even drop 50 points in a Game 7 is something that very few can do. He is that lethal with his dribbling and his shooting. Curry is still in his prime, which means he can have multiple MVP performances in a row and not slow down, which makes him more impactful than James.
Efficiency – Stephen Curry
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LeBron James is an efficiency king when he gets around the basket. James shot 50.0% from the field this year, including 58.0% on two-point field goals, and that is a testament to that. His free-throw shooting wasn’t great, as 76.8% is not poor but not on the level of an elite star. LeBron also shot 32.1% from deep, and that won’t cut it under most circumstances. In terms of PER, James had a 23.9 rating which is impressive for a 38-year-old.
Stephen Curry’s PER of 24.1 is clearly higher than James and he has been the more efficient player. The point guard was lethal in every aspect of the offense, shooting 49.3% from the field, 42.7% from three, and 91.5% from the free-throw line. Curry also posted 6.3 APG during the year and is off to the races again in the playoffs by shooting 48.8% from the field, 37.8% from three, and 82.9% from the stripe. No doubt, Curry is the most efficient shooter and scorer in the world right now and edges The King.
Even at 38 years old, LeBron James is still a force in one-on-one situations because he has the size to punish defenders, especially when around the rim. Due to his pure size at 6’9” and 250 lbs, James can play the power forward position in the modern NBA and not have to worry a second about being undersized. In some circumstances, James has punished centers as well. At his age, The King can still take advantage of one-on-one situations and is scary to defend when he is feeling it.
We all know that Stephen Curry is a sensational scorer who can shoot the lights out from outside. Curry can break his opponent down with dribble moves and can step back for his quickfire jumper. This is a patented move we have seen so many times and especially during this season. Curry can also attack the rim, using craft finishes due to his soft touch. In his 50-point explosion in Game 7, Steph went 20-38 from the floor with only 8 three-point makes, meaning most of his buckets were layups.
Overall, James and Curry cannot be defended in one-on-one circumstances this season. It is hard to distinguish between them since Steph is a far more skilled scorer, but James’ size means he can punish defenders in the modern era more than ever. As a result, this category is called even though there is still one winner in the overall comparison.
Final ResultStephen Curry vs. LeBron James 5-4
In the end, Stephen Curry wins the full comparison between the two superstars. Curry is simply the best shooter in the world and at age 35, he has not slowed down in terms of impacting the game and making his teammates better. The fact that Golden State was able to usurp the Sacramento Kings, who were the third seed is truly impressive. Curry has led the charge for the Warriors all year long and his numbers prove how elite he was.
Steph posting 29.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG, and 6.3 APG on 49.3% FG, 42.7% 3-PT FG, and 91.5% FT is truly incredible. In the playoffs, the point guard is posting 33.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 4.9 APG while draining 37.8% of his threes. Carrying a heavy load all year and dealing with circumstances such as Andrew Wiggins’ missed time and Draymond Green’s knockout punch on Jordan Poole, Curry has been exceptional as a top-five player in the world.
LeBron James barely falls in this comparison because he is still the best passer in the NBA and has the highest IQ out of anyone else. The King can set up plays better than anyone else and has been a master in the clutch all year. His regular season numbers have been spectacular as usual (28.9 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and 6.8 APG), and breaking the all-time scoring record has thrust his name into an even higher level of greatness.
However, James is no longer the player he used to be a few years ago and is past his prime, although he is still a top-10 player in the world. At this stage, based on what we have seen in the regular season and playoffs, Curry is the better player than James, and we might continue to see that as the games go by in the playoffs.
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