LeBron James and Steph Curry will forever be linked in NBA history. Over the last 15 years, theyβve been front and center in so many great basketball championships and moments.
Stephen A. Smith, who appeared on βThe Breakfast Club,β gave the nod to βKing Jamesβ as the face of this generation. Despite Curryβs well-known impact the veteran sports analyst still considers the four-time MVP as βthe guyβ fans will associate this generation with:
βTo me, Curryβs my favorite player. But I can tell you that as a guy that goes to the arenas, man. When LeBron walks in, itβs just a different feel.

"As much as you love Curry and as much as you love watching Golden State, as entertaining as they are, I think heβs the greatest shooter that ever lived, greatest shooter that God ever created, but when LeBron walks into a building, itβs a different animal.β
Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.
LeBron James led the Miami Heat to four straight NBA Finals from 2011 to 2014. The GOAT candidate then left South Beach and returned to his roots with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He promptly brought the Cavs on a four-year trip to the championship rounds against Steph Curryβs dynastic Golden State Warriors.
James added another championship ring in 2020, this time with the LA Lakers. Curry followed suit with an emotional 2022 NBA Finals, his fourth in eight years. The leagueβs greatest shooter won his first Finals MVP, the last checkmark to fulfill in a glittering career.
Several of the NBAβs most iconic moments over the last decade and a half have featured LeBron James and Steph Curry.
Itβs one of the reasons why basketball fans have been arguing about who the player that this generation will be identified with.
The LA Lakers struggled badly last season for several reasons. Anthony Davis couldnβt stay healthy, Russell Westbrook was hammered into a role he had never done before and a poorly-constructed lineup.
Despite all of that, they remained relevant mainly due to LeBron Jamesβ historic exploits in already his 19th season in the NBA. Itβs not going to change in LA as soon as the GOAT candidate continues to suit up for the purple and gold franchise.
Next season is an exciting time for the LA Lakers as they have retooled and are looking to get a healthy Davis. However, theyβre not one of the favorites to win the title. Some basketball analysts are even saying the farthest they can go is the play-in tournament.
LAβs upcoming season may not look as rosy as the Golden State Warriors, but theyβre only one nationally televised game less than the defending champs. The Lakersβ 23 to the Warriorsβ 24 primetime games is another proof of the impact and value of LeBron James and Steph Curry.
LeBron Jamesβ social activism makes his impact bigger and more relevant than Steph Curryβs, per Stephen A. Smith

With so many players actively involving themselves in social issues, the NBA has become a major platform to advocate for equal rights. When players just donβt shut up and dribble, they become more relevant and more impactful even to non-basketball fans.
Here is where Stephen A. Smith adds another feather to LeBron Jamesβ basketball cap over Steph Curry:
βWhen they talk about LeBron, you canβt avoid talking about everything. When you talk about Curry, you canβt help but talk about only basketball because thereβs nothing else that he gives you. LeBron gives you more because of the issues heβs willing to tackle, his willingness to speak out.
Not all basketball fans agree with the outspoken ESPN sports analyst and have their fair share of arguments for Steph Curry. Whatβs beyond question, however, is the fortune basketball is enjoying as both of these iconic superstars put their stamp on the game.
Los Angeles Lakers Fan? Check out the latest Lakers depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.