Stephen Curry is Better than LeBron James 😎: The Case for the Greatest Shooter Ever
The debate over who is the best player in NBA history often comes down to two names: LeBron James and Michael Jordan. But in recent years, a compelling case has emerged that suggests another player—Stephen Curry—has elevated his game to a level that not only rivals LeBron’s but, in many ways, surpasses it. Curry’s unparalleled shooting ability, transformative impact on the game, and leadership in building a dynasty for the Golden State Warriors make him a player worth considering as the best of all time.
Here’s why Stephen Curry is better than LeBron James and why he is undeniably the greatest shooter ever.
🏀 The Unmatched Shooting Revolution
At the heart of Curry’s case is his revolutionary shooting ability. When it comes to pure shooting, there’s no debate—Stephen Curry is the greatest shooter the NBA has ever seen. His range, accuracy, and ability to hit shots from anywhere on the court, often with little to no space, are unlike anything we’ve ever witnessed. Curry has set the bar so high that even the best shooters in NBA history, like Ray Allen or Reggie Miller, now seem outdated in comparison.
Curry’s shooting range is unprecedented. From 30 feet, 35 feet, and even beyond, he has made shots look routine, completely altering how the game is played. The three-point shot, once a secondary offensive tool, is now central to team strategies, and much of that revolution is credited to Curry. His ability to stretch defenses and create open shots for his teammates with just his presence on the court has transformed the Golden State Warriors into a dynasty.
LeBron James, while a versatile and capable shooter, has never approached Curry’s level of long-range shooting. While LeBron has improved his three-point shooting over the years, it’s clear that shooting is not his primary strength. Curry’s shooting prowess has changed the very nature of basketball, making it a more perimeter-oriented game. He has raised the standard for shooting, especially off the dribble, and has set an example for the next generation of players to follow.
🏆 Curry’s Championships: A Legacy Built on Perimeter Dominance
Stephen Curry has won four NBA championships (2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022), cementing his legacy as one of the best players of this era. His ability to hit clutch shots and perform on the biggest stage has been a defining feature of his career. Curry was the undisputed leader of the Warriors’ dynasty, guiding them through record-breaking seasons and delivering championships without needing to rely on a dominant big man.
In contrast, LeBron James’ championships have often come with the help of star teammates and an inside-outside game that revolves more around his driving and playmaking abilities. While LeBron has been to 10 NBA Finals and won four championships, it is clear that his game is built on physical dominance and versatility, whereas Curry’s greatness lies in his unmatched shooting ability and his impact on the floor as a scoring and playmaking threat.
What sets Curry apart from LeBron is his unique ability to redefine the game through a style of play that values shooting over traditional post play and athleticism. The Warriors’ success has been predicated on small-ball basketball, high shooting volume, and floor spacing, all of which were made possible by Curry’s elite shooting. This is where Curry, as the game’s greatest shooter, has built a more transformative legacy.
🌍 Curry’s Influence on the Modern NBA
Stephen Curry has single-handedly reshaped the NBA landscape. His revolutionizing of the three-point shot has pushed teams to prioritize shooting over size and traditional methods of offense. Today, nearly every NBA team runs a system that emphasizes shooting, spacing, and ball movement—principles that Curry has championed and executed to perfection.
Youth basketball, too, has evolved because of Curry. Aspiring players today are less likely to mimic LeBron’s style of slashing to the basket and more likely to develop their shooting skills to imitate Curry’s deep three-point range. The number of players at the youth and college level attempting deep threes has skyrocketed as they try to replicate Curry’s game-changing ability to shoot from virtually anywhere on the floor.
LeBron, meanwhile, has continued to dominate with his combination of strength, passing, and finishing ability. His style has been more traditional compared to Curry’s revolutionary approach. While LeBron is undeniably one of the most physically gifted players in NBA history, his game hasn’t had the same ripple effect across the entire basketball ecosystem that Curry’s shooting has. Curry has influenced the entire structure of modern basketball, from high school gyms to NBA arenas.
🏅 Curry’s Individual Accolades: MVPs, Scoring Titles, and Records
When we talk about individual accolades, Stephen Curry’s resume is stacked. Curry has won two MVP awards (2015 and 2016), with his 2016 MVP season being one of the greatest individual seasons in NBA history. He finished that year with a 73-9 record for the Warriors and became the first player in history to make 400 three-pointers in a season. He is also the NBA’s all-time leader in three-pointers made, surpassing Ray Allen in 2021.
LeBron James, while also a two-time MVP and the league’s all-time leading scorer, has never quite matched Curry’s dominance in the shooting category. LeBron’s greatness is undeniable, but his career has been more about his versatility, physicality, and basketball IQ, rather than a groundbreaking skill like shooting. Curry, by contrast, has revolutionized the game with his ability to score from virtually anywhere on the floor, forcing teams and players to adapt their strategies.
Curry’s records and individual achievements, especially as they relate to shooting, are far-reaching and have left a lasting impact on how future generations approach the game.
💪 Curry’s Mental Toughness and Clutch Performances
One of the most overlooked aspects of Stephen Curry’s game is his mental toughness. Curry has proven time and again that he can perform in clutch moments. His iconic Game 4 performance in the 2015 Finals, where he led the Warriors to a victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, and his brilliant Game 6 against Oklahoma City in 2016, where he led a comeback with one of the most iconic shooting performances in NBA history, are just a few examples of his ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most.
LeBron James has also had his fair share of clutch moments, but Curry has proven that he can take over games from beyond the arc in ways that few can match. When it comes to hitting high-pressure shots, especially with the game on the line, Curry’s confidence and ability to step up in key moments have solidified his place as one of the best clutch performers in NBA history.
The Verdict: Curry’s Legacy as the Greatest Shooter Ever
When it comes down to it, Stephen Curry’s impact on the game is unparalleled. While LeBron James is a fantastic all-around player and a force of nature, Curry’s mastery of the three-point shot and his influence on the modern game cannot be overstated. Curry has not only dominated in his era but has changed the very way the game is played, making him the greatest shooter ever.
Curry’s records, championships, and transformative influence on the game of basketball make him one of the greatest players in NBA history. While LeBron’s greatness is unquestioned, it’s hard to ignore the fact that Curry has taken a skill that was once considered secondary and turned it into the most important weapon in modern basketball. And for that reason, Stephen Curry is better than LeBron James in terms of pure impact on the game.
