Curry Crushes Hopes! – Stephen A. on why the Warriors are the scariest team in the NBA (+Video)
Steph Curry Could Shatter LeBron’s Legacy—First Take Erupts Over Uncomfortable Truth
The NBA playoffs are finally here, and so is the heat. But it’s not just the on-court matchups that are raising temperatures—it’s a debate that’s threatening to explode across the basketball world. And it all comes down to one simple but seismic question: If Steph Curry wins another ring, is he officially greater than LeBron James?
This week on ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith, Paul Pierce, and the rest of the panel dove headfirst into the fire, and the flames are spreading fast.
“If Steph Curry wins the championship or one more championship, gets the Finals MVP, we’re going to have some very, very, very uncomfortable conversations,” Pierce warned during a segment that lit social media on fire.
And he wasn’t alone.
The King Under Fire
For years, LeBron James has held the throne—or at least shared it with the ghost of Michael Jordan—in the eyes of many fans. With four NBA championships, four Finals MVPs, and over two decades of dominance, LeBron’s resume has been the gold standard for greatness.
But now? That throne is shaking.
“In the LeBron era, Steph could end up with five chips,” Pierce continued. “One before KD, two with KD, and now possibly two after. And three of those would’ve been won without a Top 75 teammate. That matters.”
Let that sink in: While LeBron teamed up with Dwyane Wade, Kyrie Irving, and Anthony Davis, Curry has done the unthinkable—rebuilding, reloading, and winning without the help of superstar sidekicks.
The Finals MVP That Could Tip the Scale
Curry, the man who changed the game with the three-point revolution, has always had one asterisk—no Finals MVP. But with the Warriors red-hot going into the playoffs, that could be about to change.
“If he gets the Finals MVP, it’s over,” Stephen A. Smith added. “We’re going to have to talk about Steph differently. Not just as a shooter. Not just as a scorer. But as the man who may have dethroned LeBron.”
LeBron’s fans may not like it. But it’s impossible to ignore.
How Many Rings Does It Take to Rewrite History?
Currently, both LeBron and Steph sit at four championships apiece. But the path they took to get there couldn’t be more different.
LeBron: 10 Finals appearances, 4 titles. But each of his wins came with significant help: Wade and Bosh in Miami, Kyrie and Love in Cleveland, AD in L.A.
Curry: 6 Finals appearances, 4 titles. One before Kevin Durant. Two with him. One after. And now, possibly, a fifth without a single other Top 75 player.
“We talk about eras in basketball,” Pierce said. “Magic and Bird had the ’80s. Jordan had the ’90s. LeBron’s supposed to own this era. But if Steph ends up with more rings, then who really won this era?”
Stats vs. Impact: The Curry Effect
Let’s be real—no one’s denying LeBron’s statistical dominance. In his 22nd season, he’s still averaging 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game. That’s jaw-dropping longevity.
But Curry, in year 16, is averaging nearly identical numbers: 24.5 points, 6.0 assists, 4.4 rebounds on 44.8% shooting and nearly 40% from three. And the scariest part? He’s doing it without a traditional superstar next to him.
What Curry lacks in physical dominance, he makes up for with something that can’t be measured on a stat sheet: influence. He’s changed how basketball is played—from youth leagues to the NBA.
“The way defenses are built now? That’s because of Steph,” Stephen A. said. “He’s redefined spacing, strategy, the very geometry of the court. That has to count for something.”
The Antagonists: Draymond and Dylan’s Explosive Subplot
While the Steph vs. LeBron debate steals headlines, there’s a volatile subplot brewing—Draymond Green vs. Dylan Brooks. Both known for their trash talk and short fuses, their looming playoff clash has analysts worried.
“Draymond’s the one who worries me more,” said former player Danny Green. “If he loses control, Golden State loses their anchor.”
But Stephen A. had a different view:
“Brooks poked the bear. Draymond lives for this stuff. He’s going to out-psyche Dylan Brooks before Brooks even knows what hit him.”
Still, if Green lets his emotions boil over—like he did in 2016, costing the Warriors a title—it could change everything.
The Road to the Conference Finals: A Warzone
Golden State’s path isn’t easy. First, they face a hungry young Houston team in Round 1. Then, most likely, LeBron and Luka’s Lakers in Round 2.
“If they make the Western Conference Finals,” Stephen A. said, “I’d be more surprised than if they lost in the first round. That’s how tough this road is.”
But that’s exactly what makes this story even more tantalizing. If Curry leads his team through this gauntlet—and wins?
We’re not just talking about another ring.
We’re talking about a rewrite of basketball history.
The Verdict: A New King?
The playoffs are unpredictable. Anything can happen. But one thing is clear: Curry’s legacy is no longer just about threes and flair. It’s about greatness.
If he wins this year, it will force an entire generation to reconsider who ruled this era. And for LeBron fans, it may be time to face a new truth.
“If Steph wins five in LeBron’s time? With a unanimous MVP and a revolution to his name? That changes everything,” Pierce said. “It just does.”
