Is Stephen Curry Better Than LeBron James?

Is Stephen Curry Better Than LeBron James?

LeBron James was the undisputed best player in the NBA for the bulk of his playing career, but the tides are turning, and that designation is no longer a guarantee for the Cleveland Cavaliers star. This is because Stephen Curry has led the Golden State Warriors to an unbelievable start to this season after a championship last season, leading many to think that Curry has surpassed James as the best basketball player on the planet.

Stephen Curry’s Unstoppable Scoring

What has made Stephen Curry a candidate to be the NBA’s best player is the fact that he simply cannot be stopped when he is on the offensive end of the floor. Curry is a player whose game is centered around the perimeter on offense, which means that his field goal percentage should be lower simply because shots are harder to make the longer the distance becomes between you and the basket. But Curry’s shooting percentage is among the league’s best.

Curry is shooting 51% from the field this season for the Warriors, including 45% from three point range. Curry has made over 190 three point shots through the midway point of this season, meaning that he is on pace to make a total of over 380 threes. That would make him the all-time single season NBA three pointers made record holder, breaking his own record from last season, when Curry made 286 threes.

To put this into perspective, Curry is on pace to break his own single season record by over 100 made threes, which is unfathomable. He would have four of the six highest single season totals in three pointers made if he cracked the top six this season, which he looks like a lock to do. As it stands now, only 56 times has a player’s entire season seen more made threes than Curry’s 2015-2016 campaign so far, and he’s only halfway through the year. This might be the most amazing season ever performed on a basketball court.

LeBron James Staying Consistent

What’s amazing about this entire debate is that LeBron James has been his typically phenomenal self for the Cleveland Cavaliers this season. He’s shooting over 50% from the field as always, and is averaging over 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. He’s got a Cleveland Cavaliers team with a lot of flaws on top of the Eastern Conference, and should reach yet another NBA Finals this year.

But for all of James’ positives this year, Stephen Curry has been just that good to where it feels foolish not to call Curry the league’s best player for the moment. He’s a defending champion and the league’s current Most Valuable Player, and will probably win both of those things again this year along with the league’s Most Improved Player, which is a testament to just how much better than the rest of the NBA Stephen Curry has been this season.

Stephen Curry and LeBron James will probably meet in the NBA Finals again this season, where they will get to settle this debate once and for all, and that is a very exciting thing to look forward to.

By: Jason M. Sanin