The NBA world was delighted to see Curry and LeBron James both go at one another once again. And with how things stand, there’s a good chance this becomes a first-round series. Just as tonight, both of these icons are going to exhaust themselves to move forward. But when thinking about the NBA, Stephen A. Smith could only have allegiance with one person.

Firstly, Smith is still amazed to see both Curry and LeBron James defy their ages. “We look at Steph Curry even though he’s 37 himself and time time runs out there’s nothing in his game that tells you that either,” said the ESPN analyst. However, with Luka Doncic destined to take the keys from James and the Akron Hammer much closer to retirement, Smith kept his rift aside.

“We can’t take for granted the years that LeBron James has left on his resume. And so because of that’s why I think the answer I mean it is a hard question because I think we need them both… If LeBron made a deep playoff run at this stage in his career considering the fact it’s also in Tinsel Town as well, I think those elements come into play and that’s why he would be the answer to this question,” said the 57-year-old.

Brian Windhorst was on the panel too. Keeping the question aside, Windy thinks OKC is barging through the West. But when it comes to LeBron James vs Curry, he too sides with the King. “Who would it be more amazing for to get their fifth championship Steph or LeBron? Considering what that would mean and what that would mean for fans and what it would mean for the league, I think it’s probably LeBron when it comes to what’s best for the league,” he commented.

But while Stephen A. Smith didn’t dive into the depth of the matchup, Windy did. And he doesn’t think it’s going to be easy for LeBron James and the Lakers.

LeBron James or Stephen Curry, who gets through?

It was two seasons ago that NBA fans got their series of dreams. In 2022-23, LeBron James and Stephen Curry shared the playoff stage for the first time since the 2018 NBA Finals. That time, the Akron Hammer got some get back for the previous Finals losses. He and the Lakers flatlined the Warriors in six games.

Since then, both of them have yet to face off on the big stage. But with how the seeding stands right now, it seems to be a close call. And if Windy had to choose a winner from the two sides, he thinks the Warriors have the upper hand this time.

“The lineup that they have now in April which is their big three Draymond, Jimmy Butler and Steph Curry with those two young wings Brandon Podziemski and Moses Moody, Stephen A they’re 13-0. They’re 13-0 And they went into to Lakers last night where they took a haymaker from LeBron who had his best offensive game since that injury They took a haymaker from Austin Reeves who had a 20-point fourth quarter. They took a haymaker from Rui Hachimura who is such a difference-maker when he gets things going for the Lakers and they survived it because this team has got something cooking,” the ESPN analyst commented.

Since trading for Jimmy Butler, the Warriors have been soaring. With him and Stephen Curry in the lineup, the team has a record of 19-2. Defensively, Draymond Green is revitalized having Butler matching his intensity and making clever reads. With that being said though, the Lakers are not lacking firepower either.

Everyone knows what an animal LeBron James can be in the playoffs. Now, they have Luka Doncic who can virtually do the same things as the 40-year-old. He only shot 6 for 17 tonight alluding to the Warriors’ smothering defense. But how long before JJ Redick and his staff figure a way around it?

In a series when teams play each other regularly, it comes down to picking up on nuances. Redick is a sicko and the Slovenian guard is a relentless competitor who will adapt. If they do face-off, there’s no clear winner. Both sides are reinforced, and it will come down to who outthinks the other side.