Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry. Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

What a fifth ring might mean for Stephen Curry's legacy

By Ethan Scott | Last updated 4/17/23

If the Golden State Warriors repeat as champions and Stephen Curry wins his second consecutive NBA Finals MVP award, he will join elite company. Only Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Tim Duncan and Bill Russell have won at least five championships, two regular-season MVP awards and two Finals MVPs.

Another title could also push Curry -- the only player in NBA history to earn a unanimous regular-season MVP --into the greatest point guard of all time category, perhaps surpassing Magic Johnson.

He also could lay claim to the best player of this generation, surpassing LeBron James, and back up the words of ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith from June.

"I believe Steph Curry will eclipse LeBron James and capture five championships while LeBron is still stuck on four," he said.

Every generation has that one player, or sometimes two, who seem to rise above the rest, whether it's Russell, Larry Bird, Magic, Jordan, Kobe Bryant or James.

This generation is almost unanimously considered The King's. If Curry adds another ring this season, though, an argument can be made that it's his generation. Curry would surpass James in championships won (five to four) and improve his record in the Finals to 5-2. James' record in the Finals is 4-6.

"They are the two immortals of this era," ESPN's Mike Greenberg said last week on "The Pat McAfee Show." "Does LeBron have one more left in him or does Steph go for number five, which could actually make people change the entire narrative. Does this era become Steph's?"

Here is the full clip.

"Does this become the Steph Curry era if he wins a fifth NBA Championship"@Espngreeny #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/IUHTcMPX4H
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 11, 2023

James played in eight straight Finals from 2011-18, but the Eastern Conference was at one of its weakest points during that period. James' biggest competition came from Paul George with the Indiana Pacers and the aging Boston Celtics trio of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.

For Curry, the road toward another Finals continues Monday against the Kings. Golden State trails the series, 1-0.

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