When you think of basketball rivalries, Stephen Curry and LeBron James are names that instantly come to mind. It’s not just about championships—it’s about defining an entire era. These two titans have faced off in some of the most epic NBA Finals, each leaving their own mark on the game. But how do the people who’ve been up close to this drama feel? Bill Russell once said, “This game has always been, and will always be, about buckets.” And when you look at Curry and LeBron, it’s all about those moments—their on-court battles have redefined what it means to compete for a title. Yet, as time goes on, things have changed.

Stephen A. Smith’s controversial take on the rivalry between LeBron and Curry- It has lost some of its “sizzle”, primarily due to LeBron’s move to the Western Conference. Smith points out, “You don’t know whether these teams are going to encounter one another at all.” Drawing a comparison with Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, he emphasized the importance of ‘knowing’ there was going to be a clash between Boston and LA in the Finals. But Smith then went on to also highlight the Warriors‘ struggles, noting, “They’re 10 and 19 in their last 29 games, okay, they’re struggling to make the play in!” affecting the rivalry’s intensity.

This was in response to Bob Myers, the ex-NBA Executive’s take. Myers explained that the dynamic between LeBron and Steph has evolved over time. While there was initial “pettiness” and a sense of competition with not much of a mutual bond—“there’s a little bit of like I don’t know who he is. He’s trying to take, what’s mine?”—Myers believes the two now share a deep respect.

“I think they now look at each other kind of as mutuals and respect.” Myers also noted that their relationship differs from Magic Johnson and Larry Bird’s, saying, “Players now hug after the game, they exchange jerseys. I don’t think they liked each other then.”

As Myers pointed out, rivalries today just don’t carry the same weight. Magic’s and Bird’s matchups weren’t just basketball games, they were personal battles. Whereas when Steph and Bron led Team USA to Gold over the summer, you could see the respect between them. Both of them came back to the Western Conference for their next challenge, which according to SAS, is the reason for their rivalry dying down a bit. In short- their being in the same conference has dulled the sparkle…

And that wasn’t the only interesting take SAS had.

Stephen A. Smith blames Stephen Curry for not having a Robin to his Batman

Kendrick Perkins made a bold observation on NBA Countdown, calling out Steph Curry for not having a certified second star beside him. He said, “He’s the only superstar in the league that doesn’t have a certified No. 2 [scoring option].”

Unlike LeBron, KD, or Nikola Jokic, Curry’s been flying solo. Sure, Klay Thompson was once his partner in crime, but injuries had slowed him down, and Durant’s no longer there as well.

Stephen A. Smith took this one step further, suggesting the Bay legend is partly to blame. “That’s partially [Curry’s] fault,” Smith said, noting how Steph’s calm, cooperative attitude doesn’t make waves like Bron. While ‘The Chosen One’ demands changes, Curry keeps it low-key. It’s cool, but as SAS implied, it might be holding the Warriors back.

And here’s the thing: Curry’s clock is ticking. At 36, he’s still performing at a high level—22.6 points, 6.3 assists, and 4.9 rebounds—but the Warriors are stuck at a .500 record (22-22). They’re trailing the Clippers by three games for the West’s sixth seed. With the Feb. 6 trade deadline looming, Curry should be talking to management about adding a star like Zach LaVine or Jimmy Butler to give the Warriors a chance at making a deep playoff run. Time’s running out for another championship, and Curry’s got plenty left to give.