Stephen Curry and LeBron James are most definitely the two most iconic players of the current generation. While there was a 6-year difference in when both players entered the league, Curry and James have had a competitive rivalry for almost a decade now and they have dominated the rest of the league.
Since 2015, there has only been one NBA Finals matchup to not include either Curry or LeBron (2021). The pair are serial winners and have faced each other four times in consecutive Finals appearances. LeBron has the greater all-time achievements, but now that Curry has tied LeBron in titles, many are wondering which one of the two was better in the last 10 years.
Bill Simmons decided to sit down and answer this question, breaking down the achievements of both players in the last 10 years. He gave LeBron a slight edge but admitted that Curry’s argument is way better than one would have assumed.
The last 10 years… Curry vs. LeBron pic.twitter.com/XiPnsxgbTu
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) June 21, 2022
“Was Curry the best player of the last 10 years? People would say LeBron was, but now we have a full decade of Curry. 2013-2022. LeBron in those years is 3-4 in the Finals, while Curry is 4-2. LeBron made 7 (All-NBA) first-teams, 1 second-team, and 2 third-teams, one of which he did not deserve. Curry made 4 first-teams, 3 second-teams, and one third-team… The points are pretty similar, 18k for LeBron, and 16.9k for Steph. Win shares, LeBron is slightly better.”
“Writing it all down, it was way closer than I would have expected. I would have just assumed it was LeBron, but I think it is LeBron with just a hair. But it’s really close, I was surprised.”
This is an iconic rivalry in the NBA that many will remember years after they retire as well. Curry has already ascended to the all-time three-point throne, but LeBron will soon have the ultimate scoring record if he can pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in all-time scoring.
These are generational legends and should be appreciated as such. LeBron has played more basketball than Curry so far, so people will be more inclined to pick him due to his overall achievements. But by the time they retire, Curry could be much closer to LeBron in this conversation.
