Stephen Curry Comments on LeBron James, 2016 NBA Finals and More
Two-time reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry said Wednesday he's not concerned about his individual placement among the league's superstars. He has only one thing on his mind as he prepares to face off with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals starting Thursday: another ring.
The rematch of last year's championship series is being billed as a battle between Curry and James for the unofficial title of the NBA's best player. Marc J. Spears of ESPN's The Undefeated noted the Warriors stalwart steered clear of that conversation.
"I'm not playing to be the face of the NBA or takes [sic] LeBron's throne," Curry said. "I'm just trying to win rings."
He continued to emphasize the point, saying: "I’m trying to chase rings, and that’s all I’m about. So that’s where the conversation stops for me,” per KNBR.com's Kevin Jones.
The numbers Curry posted this season were astonishing. He averaged a league-best 30.1 points to go along with 6.7 assists and 5.4 rebounds while helping Golden State post the best record in regular-season history at 73-9.
A glance at Curry's player efficiency rating is perhaps the best way to quantify his success. Not only did he finish first, but the gap between Curry and the No. 2 player, Kevin Durant, was greater than the difference between Durant and No. 10 Anthony Davis, according to ESPN.com's Hollinger stats. LeBron James finished tied for fourth with Russell Westbrook.
Yet, while current on-court performance may favor Curry, James still holds a 2-1 edge in the ring count. And that plays a major role in any legacy debate.
The Warriors won last year's Finals matchup between the teams in six games. Cleveland was without both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love for a vast majority of that series because of injuries, however. Now that they are healthy, the question is whether the pendulum swings in the Cavs' favor.
Curry said Wednesday it's important to remember his squad has improved since last year too, per John Dickinson of 95.7 The Game: "We're a better team than we were last year just based on experience."
Ultimately, Curry may not want to talk up the importance of the series from a personal perspective, but there's no doubt it will have a lasting impact. In the race to become the best player of the current era, there's a major difference between leading James 2-0 in Finals and being tied at one apiece.
The situation creates a fascinating backdrop to what should become an extended battle for the Larry O'Brien Trophy between the top team from each conference. Curry and the Warriors host Game 1 at Oracle Arena on Thursday night at 9 p.m. ET.
