NBA legend Paul Pierce makes a surprising admission on Stephen Curry and LeBron James in the GOAT debate

The Golden State Warriors secured a spot in the NBA playoffs. Stephen Curry led the way with 37 points against the Memphis Grizzlies. Jimmy Butler also stepped up, contributing 38 points in a strong offensive performance. As the Warriors continued to evolve, their success reignited the GOAT debate. NBA legend Paul Pierce added fuel to the fire. He made a controversial statement about Curry’s place in the conversation with LeBron James.

“If Steph Curry wins the championship or one more championship—let’s say this year—and wins Finals MVP, we are gonna have some very, very, very, very uncomfortable conversations. You know why? That’s going to mean in the LeBron era, he would’ve won his fifth title with pretty much three different squads. The pre-[Kevin Durant], the KD and the after KD. Three of those championships he would’ve won without a top 75 player. In my eyes, he would’ve won this era with LeBron. So then that tells me, is he greater than LeBron?,” stated Paul Pierce on FS1.

Even if Paul Pierce’s perspective makes a lot of sense, the GOAT debate is not just about the number of titles. Many fans look beyond championships when ranking the greatest of all time. Nevertheless, not including Curry among the best player of history would be a serious mistake.

Besides, Pierce made a strong point about LeBron James arguing that he had better teammates than Curry during his title runs. That is a fair argument. However, using it to downplay LeBron’s legacy does not feel right. His dominance over 22 NBA seasons speaks for itself.

Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates during the third quarter in game seven of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Sacramento Kings in 2023.

Stephen Curry’s 5 NBA titles with one team: Does that give him more credit than LeBron James?

One of the most common criticisms of LeBron James’ titles is how he won them with three different teams. He did it with the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers. Many argue he had to leave each team to chase championships. However, LeBron showed his dominance in every season, no matter the jersey. He earned each title through hard work and leadership. So, criticizing him for this takes away credit from what he accomplished on the court.

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Meanwhile, Stephen Curry gets plenty of credit for winning four NBA titles with the same franchise. That matters. The Golden State Warriors were not always the best team or the most stacked roster. Yet, they still found a way to win. One key reason is that the team was built around Curry. He has been the cornerstone of the franchise for 16 years. That stability helps him thrive, especially when his teammates play to his strengths.

For now, this debate stays wide open. Both players are tied with four championships. Neither is favored to win this year’s title. Teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and Houston Rockets are seen as stronger contenders. Still, if the Warriors win another ring, fans will have a stronger case to include Curry in the GOAT conversation.