Who will win battle of the GOATs?

The greatest shooter of all time versus a man nipping at Michael Jordan’s heels as the greatest player of all time.

Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors go head-to-head with LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster Western Conference semi-final series.

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Curry put the Warriors on his back and carried them to the semis with a 50-point masterclass in a Game 7 win over Sacramento.

King James is 38, but he has shown no signs of slowing throughout the playoffs to lead the Lakers to the second round.

MR: Matty, it’s the match up we all wanted. But seriously, can a fading LeBron and Anthony Day-to-Davis put a dint in Steph at the peak of his powers and that seasoned, multiple championship-winning Warriors group?

ML: Curry is cooking, no doubt, but LeBron hasn‘t been fading this post-season. The great man still has plenty of kick left in those 38-year-old legs. Plus, Davis has been a demon in the paint and the ultimate rim protector for the Lakers. I’d argue that Davis can win his matchup against Golden State big man Kevon Looney. LA also has a decent support crew behind LeBron and Davis, so this series is going the distance.

MR: King Kevon might outrebound AD by 30-odd if it goes to 7. Dubs in a gentleman’s sweep. Too much weaponry – Wiggins a huge key, he’ll only get better and better. That Steph guy refuses to lose. The game-seven 50-piece against the Kings was one of the great playoff performances.

ML: 30 odd? Wow, no way. We need to give AD more credit than that. I‘m not finished on King James either. I believe he’ll find another gear coming up against Steph and his Warriors buddies. We all remember when LeBron defied the record books to comeback from a 3-1 series deficit against Curry’s Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals. Now I know that was six years ago – and James is now a Laker – but he’ll take inspiration from that epic moment in history to make this series a real battle.

MR: Has the King still got that in him at 38? I think, right now, Steph has more impact on winning, and he has a better support cast. How good would it be, though, if Steph makes it rain and LeBron turns in an all-time series? Might stretch it to six games, then.

ML: Never doubt a champion – no matter how old they are. King James has repeatedly delivered on the big stage and he‘ll do it again. I think he knows he is nearing the finish line in a glittering career, so he’ll dig deep in this series. Lakers vs Warriors on the playoffs. King James was born to star on this stage. Okay, so give me your series prediction then?

MR: In all honesty, I think it will be competitive, but the Warriors get through in 6. Steph has transformed the game and I think the OG Warriors have one last title run in them.

ML: Fair call. I‘m going to be bold and say we’ll see another series go to Game 7. The Warriors deserve favouritism as the defending champions, but I think we’ll see something special from King James and Curry. It’s fair to say they’ll both be in the Hall of Fame one day.

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