After going head-to-head in four consecutive NBA finals from 2015-2018, all eyes will be on LeBron James and Stephen Curry once again. But this time it will not be for the NBA championship but for a place in the Western Conference playoffs.
Nobody would have expected this before the start of the season. While many expected the Golden State Warriors to be a lottery team once again, injuries plagued the LA Lakers, causing them to drop to 7th in the standings.
After a short period of absence, Stephen A Smith returned to basketball talk show ‘First Take’ today. When asked about which player teams should be more scared of in a one-off playoff setting – Stephen Curry or LeBron James?
Stephen A Smith had an interesting take. He said, “When you talk about who is the most scariest player at the thought of going up against, it is Steph Curry.”
“LeBron you can expect 25 to 27 a game. He is going to have a positive impact. He is the greatest player on the planet. But he ain’t the greatest shooter. The dude that has you petrified the moment he has passed on half-court, the one who has you in panic mode. It is one man. Stephen Curry.”
LeBron James or Stephen Curry? Who will make it to the playoffs?
Stephen Curry won his second NBA scoring title after averaging 32 points in the season. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
While the winner of this matchup will clinch the seventh seed in the Western Conference playoffs. The loser will take on the winner of Spurs vs. Grizzlies for the eight seed.
LA Lakers will be the clear favorites heading into the tie. But in a one-off playoff setting, anything can happen. And with the form Curry has been showcasing since the start of April, the Warriors will be no pushovers if he gets going early.
Fresh off his second NBA scoring title, Steph Curry will be looking to continue his hot streak on Wednesday against the defending champions led by LeBron James.
