DUBAI: The NBA playoffs are in full swing, and the second-round series between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers has taken the league by storm.

However, what truly has fans buzzing is the individual matchup between two of the greatest players in NBA history — Steph Curry and LeBron James. 

For baby-faced assassin Steph, this series represents an opportunity to crack the five best players of all time and lead the Warriors to another championship without Kevin Durant. Meanwhile, for King James, it’s a chance to add another ring to his already impressive collection and cement his legacy as one of the all-time greats, if not the GOAT, in the eyes of many. 

Their past encounters have been nothing short of legendary, with each player pushing the other to their limits. In their first encounter, Steph’s Warriors emerged victorious despite LeBron putting down historic numbers in the finals.

In the 2016 NBA finals, “The Chosen One” Lebron led the Cavaliers to an incredible comeback from a 3-1 deficit to win the championship against the historic 73-9 Warriors team, earning finals MVP honors. But the Warriors bounced back in the following years, with NBA all-time great Kevin Durant joining the team and earning finals MVP honors in 2017 and 2018. 

Steph Curry and LeBron James face off again in what could be a defining moment for their legacies, with Anthony Davis joining the Lakers and Kevin Durant out of the picture. The world is on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the outcome of the series in this epic Steph-LeBron rivalry. 

Chef Curry has been instrumental in revolutionizing the NBA and changing the game with his incredible shooting and playmaking ability. On the court, Steph has been cooking, making seemingly impossible shots look effortless. Even NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal considers Curry to be the most influential player in the past 30 years. 

As for LeBron, he has defied age and continues to dominate on the court, making everyone around him better. He recently surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down. 

With so much on the line, this series promises to be one for the ages, with Steph and LeBron going head-to-head once again. Both players have nothing to lose, but an additional win would be the icing on the cake for their legacies.

The Lakers took an impressive 3-1 lead against the defending champs in the Western Conference semis, but Chef Curry and his team bounced back to win game 5 and make it a thrilling 3-2 series. Will Steph Curry and the Warriors pull off a historic comeback against LeBron’s Lakers?

The entire NBA universe is waiting in anticipation for the answer.

• Mohammed Akkawi is a sports analyst and founder of Sport Scoop