The Warriors are very good this season, and the question has been posed: if Stephen Curry wins the 2025 NBA Championship, how does it affect his legacy? If he wins, I see no good reason to rank him below LeBron James or Michael Jordan. Let’s dive into Curry’s case (with another ring and, I assume, a Finals MVP) against each of these GOAT candidates.

Steph’s easier case is against LeBron James. Both are currently tied at four championships apiece. James has more Finals MVPs, but Curry has been the main piece on every championship team he’s been on, and that would be no different in 2025. Sure, he’s had help (Kevin Durant), but so has LeBron (Dwyane Wade). Combine Curry’s newfound lead in the championship race with his near-unmatched impact on the game (the entire three point revolution) and his likely potential to contribute on an NBA team well past LeBron’s retirement (at this rate, 2040 Curry will be equal in contribution to someone like a prime JJ Redick) and the choice becomes clear. With an extra ring, Stephen Curry is greater all-time than LeBron James.

But what about Michael Jordan? Widely regarded as the greatest basketball player to ever live, Jordan is a very tough foe for Curry as well. Those who have LeBron over Mike (a position I agree with, but that’s a debate for another time) will use argue that if Curry is greater than James than he must be greater than Jordan. However, there are more direct comparisons that can point more in Curry’s favor. For example: the argument that Jordan fans use against LeBron regarding Finals records isn’t nearly as effective against the would-be 5-1 Curry as it is against the 4-6 James. Additionally, Curry dominated a much tougher era: Jordan never played against a fellow GOAT candidate like Curry did against LeBron, much less beat him in the Finals on three separate occasions. Curry also retains other advantages such as his non-scandalous nature, his unanimous MVP, and again his massive impact on the game, none of which are as true of Jordan.

However, despite being above LeBron James and Michael Jordan, I do not believe that a fifth ring for Curry would place him atop the NBA GOAT list. He’d still have a slight disadvantage against yet another player. Who? Stay tuned for my next article on the topic to find out who I have as the greatest to ever touch a basketball and why he beats out Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and a hypothetical Curry with a fifth ring.