Max Kellerman has largely been fair in giving people their flowers in his takes over the years. From the very person who once said, “I want Iguodala,” comes yet another big claim alluding to the LeBron James-Stephen Curry comparison. 

While alluding to Curry’s 2022 NBA championship on the “Game Over” podcast with Rich Paul, Kellerman said that Curry was the best player in the championship series against the Boston Celtics. However, he was ranked far lower than James in the 2016 championship series.

“LeBron was easily the best player in the world. Easily,” Kellerman said. “Not close. In retrospect, LeBron was worth two Stephs that year. He was so much better than everyone on the planet in 2016 when it mattered most.”

In 2016, the Warriors became arguably the best team in NBA history, going 73-9 in the season, setting the most wins by a team in a regular season. Curry won the unanimous MVP, the first player to do so in NBA history. 

During that season, he averaged 30.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game. Curry also made it to the 50-40-90 category, shooting 50.4% from the field, including 45.4% from the three-point range, and 90.4% from the free throw line.

However, what could have ended as the most perfect season for a team in league history ended in a surprising defeat in the NBA Finals.

LeBron James vs Stephen Curry: 2016 NBA Finals Stat Comparison

The Golden State Warriors were 3-1 up in the series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Just when it seemed like they would be back-to-back champions, the script changed. LeBron James’ Cavs won the series by 4-3, and Curry’s subpar performance was one of the reasons behind it.

While Curry took home the unanimous MVP award, the NBA Finals didn’t see that level of output from him. He only averaged 22.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in seven games in the Finals and shot just 40.3% from the field. The Warriors’ superstar struggled offensively throughout the series as the Warriors failed to capitalize on their elite roster on both ends.  

On the other hand, renowned for stepping up his game when it matters the most, James was able to elevate his game to the next level. He was the best player on both teams and on both ends of the floor.

He averaged 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 2.6 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 49.4% from the field. He still holds the record for leading both teams in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks in the NBA Finals. 

The series has two narratives. One, the biggest choke in NBA history by a defending champion; and two, the greatest comeback in NBA history.

Read more at the Air Jordan Chronicles!

Written by

Nandjee Ranjan

Edited by

Shraabona Sengupta