It’s really a pleasure to see Stephen Curry and LeBron James share a rivalry every season. They’re a part of the greatest generation of sports rivalries ever produced. They’re up there with the Messi-Ronaldo debate for sure. But while it’s more ideal for fans to sit and bask in both their glories, the debate on the real MVP in the history of the NBA goes on. And now, we’ve got former players like Austin Rivers dealing in opinions of their own.

Could it be chalked down to bias? Maybe. Austin and Steph don’t share a blood relation, but their family connection runs deep. For instance, Steph’s brother, Seth Curry, is married to Austin’s sister, Callie. And she just happens to be Bucks coach Doc Rivers’ daughter, too. So that bias could play a part. But things become clearer when you hear what the former Timberwolves shooting guard has to say.

“As long as Steph’s out there, there’s nothing else. He is the greatest show in basketball and it’s not close. He always has been. So take that for whatever it’s worth. LeBron James obviously a better player, we’re talking about LeBron. The show has never been greater than stuff. Shooting the ball the way he does, the pump fake, the pump fake, the pump fake side. I mean, brother, when he shoots you just like it’s going in,” said Rivers on his podcast, The Ringer.

It’s important to remember that this is based on entertainment value alone. As much as the truest ultras might disagree, the fact of the matter is this- the NBA is sports entertainment. So, in face value, Stephen Curry deserves to be up there. To be honest, the real fans would put him up there anyway, alongside Michael Jordan and LeBron James. But if we’re talking on entertainment value alone, Austin thinks Steph ranks higher than James.

But that might not be the end of it. Like I said, this is a hot debate. And there’s no shortage of opinions. But if ex-player Paul Pierce’s predictions come true, Steph might be higher than LBJ in the rankings after all.

Stephen Curry’s 5th potential ring could bring up “uncomfortable conversations” for LeBron James fans

Both our goats are tied at 4 championship rings. If either were to win it for a 5th time, would that put the goat debate to bed? Maybe not, as there’s a lot more to consider. But for Paul Pierce, that might be the writing on the wall for LBJ.

“If Steph Curry wins one more championship, let’s say this year, and gets the Finals MVP, we are gonna have some very, very, very uncomfortable conversations,” Pierce said. “You know why? Because that’s gonna mean in the LeBron era, he would’ve won his fifth title with pretty much three different squads: pre-KD, KD, and after KD. And three of those championships he would’ve won without a top 75 player. In my eyes, he would’ve won this era with LeBron. So then, that tells me: is he greater than LeBron?”

The pair is in similar positions right now. Their primes are behind them, and they were a part of struggling squads until the February trades revitalised their teams. With Jimmy Butler (Warriors) and Luka Doncic (Lakers), both of the top entertainers have what it takes to aim for a brand new ring to add to their collection. But if Steph wins it, Pierce knows that the debate will be over once and for all.

No matter what the debate ends up being, LeBron James and Stephen Curry are undeniably the goats of our era. And there’s nothing taking that away from them. But do Austin Rivers and Paul Pierce think alike? Not necessarily.