“Curry and KD? They wouldn’t be here today without him.”

Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant are big names in the NBA, no one will question that. However, a famous analyst thinks that if they hadn’t crossed paths with a specific superstar, we might not be talking about them in such terms…

Whether it was on their own or when they sported the colors of the Warriors together, Stephen Curry et Kevin Durant are clearly part of the gratin of players of the modern era. On the one hand the best shooter in history, on the other the one who is perhaps the most complete scoring weapon ever seen: impossible to miss them when you talk about the orange ball out of the 15 years, as they have amassed five titles, three MVPs and six league leading scorer trophies.

Still, as amazing as they are on the court, some say the two superstars wouldn’t have gotten this far without the influence of another basketball heavyweight: LeBron James. A theory that will have haters of the quadruple champion talking, but Nick Wright recently defended him on Fox Sports. The analyst thus explained that the feats of arms of the winger had consequences, which also altered the careers of his two rivals:

LeBron decisive for the careers of Durant and Curry?

« As is often the case with modern NBA history, LeBron walked so others could run. »

— @getnickwright on why Steph winning Finals MVP even if the Warriors lose the series is the only fair result: pic.twitter.com/2b9FPu3trQ

— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) June 14, 2022

Look, as is so often the case in modern NBA history, LeBron walked so others could run. LeBron came close to being the first unanimous MVP in history, and Steph could be after that. LeBron left a team that was champion caliber to try to win the title elsewhere, and Kevin Durant was able to do the same a few years later.

Wright isn’t exactly the most objective on this one, being an early fan of the Lakers star. Nonetheless, he does make an interesting point: the impact No. 6 has had on the NBA over time. If linking his 2012-13 unanimous near-MVP to that of the Chief is a little convoluted, The Decision and his departure for Miami did indeed have the right to a good echo when KD set sail for Golden State in 2016.

Beyond that, the simple fact that he has regularly faced them on the court for more than a decade has also helped them grow as legends. Beating the Chosen One for the title is a major accomplishment, especially for the Slim Reaper who was twice Finals MVP at the same time. As for Curry, he was able to lead his people to the rank of a dynasty under the nose and beard of L-Train.

Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry are certainly the successors to LeBron James in terms of taking over the league, but it’s also due to the fact that he would have paved the way for them with his actions and exploits. A not meaningless opinion, even if the worshipers of the two players will perhaps not agree.