As the only man to ever coach both Steph Curry and LeBron James (in the Olympics), Steve Kerr is perfectly aware of the shadow the two superstars have cast over the NBA for the past 15 years.
Speaking to 95.7 The Game’s “Willard and Dibs” show, the Warriors’ head coach gave a detailed answer when asked how Curry and James have changed the sport at the pro level, speaking to their similarities and differences as league icons.
“Well, first of all, they’ve been the torchbearers for the league throughout their careers,” Kerr told hosts Mark Willard and Dan Dibley. “Both guys are such amazing symbols, players, and voices for our league. Getting the chance to coach LeBron two years ago in the [2024 Paris] Olympics was such a thrill and to really get to know how committed he is, how passionate he is about the game, the preparation, everything that goes into it.
“The league has just been incredibly fortunate to have those two as the faces of the league these last couple of decades, practically.”
Each star has racked up countless records and accolades during their respective careers. James, who entered the NBA six years before Curry, possesses a legacy that rivals or surpasses any other in league history as its all-time leading scorer and a four-time NBA Finals champion. In each of his four Finals wins, he was named the series’ Most Valuable Player.
James already had two of those four titles by the time Curry’s ascension began in earnest. But once the Warriors’ guard started to rise, he never stopped. Curry became the most popular player in the league by dazzling NBA audiences with unparalleled shooting skill, collecting back-to-back NBA MVP awards in 2014-15 and 2015-16. He owns four championship rings of his own.
While both are titans in the annals of basketball history, Kerr gives Curry the edge as the player who tilted the game’s chessboard most.
“Steph has changed the game dramatically with the shooting for all the reasons we know,” Kerr told Willard and Dibley. “I don’t know that LeBron has changed the game as much as Steph, but he took the mantle from Kobe [Bryant] and Michael Jordan—that guy who is head and shoulders above everybody athletically—[and] he’s taken it to a new level with the versatility in his game.
“There’s just never been a player like [James]. It’s obviously displayed by all the incredible records, the scoring record and so many others. The game has also changed around him, which he’s helped, where we’re playing positionless basketball. If you ask me what position does LeBron play, I have no idea. It doesn’t matter. He’s just a winner.”
The Warriors will have to face James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday with Curry still out of the lineup due to injury, robbing fans of another marquee matchup between two of the most transcendent talents the game has ever known.