In a recent podcast appearance, the age-old debate between LeBron James and Stephen Curry during the 2016 NBA Finals has resurfaced, thanks to some thought-provoking insights from Max Kellerman. While chatting on the Game Over podcast with Rich Paul, Kellerman revisited the discussion about who truly reigned supreme during that pivotal stretch.
Kellerman didn't hold back in his praise for LeBron, asserting that James was the undisputed best player in the world during those Finals. "LeBron was easily the best player in the world.
Easily, not close," he stated, emphasizing James' dominance when it mattered most. His performance in the 2016 postseason, particularly the Finals, was nothing short of legendary.
LeBron's leadership was instrumental in the Cleveland Cavaliers' historic comeback against the Golden State Warriors. Down 3-1 in the series, the Cavaliers became the first team in NBA Finals history to overturn such a deficit and clinch the championship.
James' Finals performance is etched in the annals of NBA lore. He averaged an astonishing 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game, along with 2.6 steals and 2.3 blocks.
Shooting an impressive 49.4% from the field and 37.1% from beyond the arc, he led both teams in all major statistical categories-points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks-a feat never seen before. His back-to-back 41-point games in Games 5 and 6 set the stage for a dramatic Game 7, where his iconic chase-down block became a defining moment.
"LeBron was easily the best player in the world. LeBron was worth two Stephs that year. He was so much better than everyone on the planet in 2016 when it mattered most.”
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 28, 2026
Max Kellerman on LeBron James and Steph Curry 🤔
(via Game Over)pic.twitter.com/2XdBMEnike
On the other hand, Stephen Curry faced intense defensive pressure throughout the series, which impacted his usual efficiency. During the 2016 Finals, Curry averaged 22.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, with shooting splits of 40.3% from the field and 40.0% from three-point range.
While LeBron's 2016 Finals performance remains a gold standard for playoff excellence, Kellerman also acknowledged Curry's ascent to "best player in the world" status later in his career. He highlighted Curry's 2022 Finals MVP performance, which solidified his legacy and showcased his own version of postseason brilliance.
Ultimately, Kellerman's comparison underscores the unique place James' 2016 Finals has in NBA history-a testament to his extraordinary two-way impact and the unforgettable 3-1 comeback.