Lebron James and Stephen Curry are two of modern basketball’s most legendary figures. Curry’s three-point shooting and offensive ingenuity, with James’s basketball IQ and all-around scoring ability, have established new standards in the game. Despite their bond, Curry’s recent choice to name the “smartest player” he’s ever played with has made fans question his choice, which happens to be Draymond Green.

“He’s the smartest basketball player I’ve played with,” Curry said. “Draymond can execute the angle of the pass, speed of the pass, timing of the pass, whatever it is, he’s a master at it.” The dynamic duo has been a cornerstone of the Golden State Warriors’ recent success. ‘’Genius defensively” is how Warriors head coach Steve Kerr describes Green for the ability to read plays, anticipate opponents’ moves, and make split-second decisions. Even though Green is known to be a mastermind, Curry’s decision to name Green over LeBron as the “smartest player” he’s played with appeared unacceptable for fans.

“He may be smart at passing angles, but he is not the smartest basketball player. He can jeopardize all that good with one silly outburst of emotion for some perceived wrong. That’s not smart,” a fan commented under the Warriors’ post about Curry’s comments on X. The fan argues that Draymond Green’s outbursts pose a threat to the team’s dynamic by drawing unnecessary penalties.

“Diamond (Draymond) is smart and dumb at the same time,” another fan said, referring to Green’s temper. Despite his high basketball IQ, Draymond Green’s frequent fouls and heated interactions with opponents and referees often bring unwanted drama to the game. Many believe his suspension in Game 5 of the 2016 NBA Finals contributed to the Warriors’ loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in that series.

“Kumbe, it’s not that other guy people say has the highest basketball IQ?,” a third fan said. This was a likely reference to LeBron James, who is widely regarded as having one of the highest basketball IQs in the NBA. The comment suggests surprise, implying that many believe LeBron holds that title, not Draymond Green.

And there’s a reason why fans think so.

LeBron James is in the GOAT debate, Draymond Green is not

LeBron James, a four-time NBA champion and MVP, has been the face of the NBA for over two decades. Known as “King James,” he’s admired for his basketball IQ and strategic dominance. As his Lakers contract nears its end in 2026, rumors swirl about him pursuing his dream of owning an NBA team, further solidifying why many fans consider him the best.

In May, The Athletic published a piece titled Who is the NBA GOAT: LeBron or Jordan? They asked 142 NBA stars anonymously on they thought is the GOAT? Michael Jordan won the ‘Greatest of All Time’ vote again but only by a small margin. Jordan received 49.5% of votes while James secured 42.1%

“The greatest ever is LeBron James, (but) the greatest of all time is Michael Jordan, the difference is stats. When you talk about impact, Michael Jordan. When you talk about stats and numbers, LeBron. Mike has the most impact, so that makes him the greatest ever in all aspects because he doesn’t just impact basketball. He impacts people who look up to him in tennis and football. But you won’t hear that about LeBron. … LeBron changed the game, but more so how it’s played. Jordan changed how it’s viewed. And that’s a big difference,” the article quoted an NBA player.

While LeBron James is often debated as the greatest basketball player of all time, Draymond Green isn’t typically part of that discussion. Despite this, fans were disappointed when Stephen Curry named Green as the “smartest player” he’s ever played with, especially after Curry had the opportunity to play with James in the Olympics. Many expected Curry to choose LeBron just because the King finds himself in the GOAT debate.

Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger