In a recent podcast appearance, Max Kellerman revisited the hotly debated topic of LeBron James versus Stephen Curry during the 2016 NBA Finals, reigniting discussions among basketball enthusiasts. Speaking on the Game Over podcast with Rich Paul, Kellerman highlighted James' extraordinary postseason performance as a defining moment that set him apart from the rest of the league.
"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
Kellerman didn't mince words: “LeBron was easily the best player in the world. Easily, not close.
In retrospect, LeBron was worth like two Stephs that year. He was so much better than everyone on the planet, LeBron in 2016 when it mattered most.”
James' leadership was pivotal in the Cleveland Cavaliers' historic comeback against the Golden State Warriors. Trailing 3-1 in the series, Cleveland achieved what no team had done before in NBA Finals history, rallying to win the championship.
LeBron's performance was nothing short of legendary. Averaging 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game, along with 2.6 steals and 2.3 blocks, he was a force on both ends of the floor.
Shooting nearly 50% from the field and over 37% from beyond the arc, James led all players in 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 in NBA lore.
On the other hand, Curry faced intense defensive scrutiny, which impacted his usual efficiency. During the 2016 Finals, he averaged 22.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, shooting 40.3% from the field and maintaining a stellar 92.9% from the free-throw line.
While James' 2016 heroics remain a gold standard for playoff excellence, Kellerman acknowledged Curry's ascent to "best player in the world" status in later years. Reflecting on Curry's 2022 Finals MVP performance, Kellerman noted, “2022, he was the best player either team, all postseason. They won the championship, that’s the best player in the world.”
Kellerman’s insights highlight how James' 2016 Finals showcase, marked by a historic comeback and his unmatched impact, continues to be a standout chapter in NBA history, even as Curry's legacy grows.