This past week, there has been increasing talk on the airwaves and the internet that Golden Stat Warriors guard and reigning NBA MVP Steph Curry has supplanted Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James as the league’s preeminent player.

Ever since Golden State’s 34-point dismantling of the Cavs on MLK Day, it seems anyone and everyone is putting “The Kid” above the “King.” So we decided that it’s time to compare the two and layout the arguments.

(Editor’s Note: While player comparisons may seem pointless to some, let’s reserve that debate for another article.)

Here’s the criteria to crown a “King.” First, let’s compare their first 7 NBA seasons. Second, to be fair since LeBron entered the league directly from high school, we’ll evaluate his seasons after he turned 21. We’ll also take into account, MVPs, All-Star appearances and post-21 years old.

First 7 Seasons (This is through 41 games in the ‘15-‘16 season)

We’ll let “The Kid” take the first swing at the throne. As you can see above Curry had a pretty impressive start to his career. He came into the league after playing four years at Davidson-where he was an NCAA heartthrob.

So far for Curry’s career, his per game averages are 21.8 points, 6.9 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals. He shot 48 percent from the field while hitting a 90 percent of his free throws. The only thing that’s negative on Curry’s career numbers are his 3.2 turnovers per game.

Not bad stats for the 2015 NBA Finals champ, especially in light of the fact that he sat out much of the 2011-12 season with an injury.

Now for King James. He had a stellar start to his career, which included six All-Star appearances, two NBA MVPs and one Finals appearance. Stats-wise, James excels further. Without a superior supporting cast for most of his time in Cleveland, he carried a big workload for the Cavs with per game averages of 27.8 points, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds. He also shot 47.5 percent from the field.

Not only did LeBron average more points than Curry, he got his teammates more involved as well. Sorry Curry fans, based on these numbers, we have to give it to LeBron James.

Basing Stats on Age

Since the stats will stay the same for Steph, we only have to look at LeBron from the 2005 to 2012 season. The reasoning for this comparison is to be fair to LeBron James. When players come into the league, especially from prep-to-pro, it takes a player time to become acclimated into a professional system and find their role. This is where the argument and ESPN faux-storyline ends. LeBron averaged 28.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7 assists. He also shot better, almost averaging 50% for those years.

There’s no argument here, Steph Curry has not surpassed LeBron. You can say the Warriors are lightyears ahead of the Cavs, because they are. But for now, ESPN, SB Nation, and Washington Post, shut up on the Curry-LeBron comparison. James is still the better player.

But what about this current season (Through 42 Games)?

So Curry has more points, less assists and less rebounds than LeBron. But, Curry has a higher PER at 32.1, LeBron at 26.5. Again, this probably contributes to the fact Curry is on a much better team than LeBron. King James may need a chiropractor for carrying the city of Cleveland.

Career PER

For LeBron’s career, his PER (player efficiency rating is a formula that takes into account field goals, free-throws, 3-pointers, assists, rebounds, blocks and steals, and negative results such as missed shots, turnovers and person fouls) is 27.6 while Curry’s is 22.6. That is a huge difference in PER. According to John Hollinger , the founder of PER, a player above 27.5 is a “strong MVP candidate” and a player between 22.5 and 25 is a “bona fide All-Star.”

LeBron is a once-in-a-lifetime talent. Listed at 6’6 and 250 pounds, James commands the court like no other his size. He has handles like a point-guard, can post-up against any forward, and can explode for a thunderous dunk at any moment. Stephen Curry will go down as one of the greatest shooters of all-time. In the same book as Michael Jordan, Reggie Miller, Steve Nash, and other great shooters.

This narrative is all too similar to previous years of “Who’s the next Jordan?” We get it, all publications want to claim who’s the next big star, but just enjoy the game without making a fool of yourselves. Remember the saying, “You don’t know what you got, until it’s gone.” That saying applies to great athletes. We never appreciate their talent or legacy until they’re gone.