"Maybe not as fierce as we know MJ to be" - Stephen Curry's honest assessment of LeBron James' mindset on and off the court

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LeBron James has been unashamedly public in his support of Stephen Curry. The former unanimous MVP is the player LeBron would most like to team up with before his career ends. While No. 30 hasn't gone that far, there's no denying his support of James is just as strong. Although their careers are hitting the back end, there is no shortage of appreciation for each other.

"Maybe not as fierce as we know MJ to be, but can get to that level of competitiveness that lifts the whole locker room in that respect," Curry said of James. "Obviously, you just want to play around greatness and see that kind of talent on display every single night. That would be interesting. Maybe we'll get that, not in the NBA, but maybe on a Team USA-type vibe before we get out of here. That would be awesome."

James and Curry may not be teammates right now, but they could potentially make something happen using their power as the two faces of the NBA. In the meantime, the superstars will join Team USA's roster for the Paris Olympics this summer, where fans will get a special glimpse of what these two would like as teammates in a meaningful game.

Is LeBron's competitiveness under-appreciated?

James has long been compared to Jordan and Kobe Bryant in almost every way imaginable. Aside from their tangible skills, MJ and KB have been lauded for having the mentality or "killer instinct" that separates them from any other player ever. James' harshest critics have gone on record saying he doesn't possess that competitive edge to any degree.

But other legends of the game have come to LeBron's defense in this matter. Shaquille O'Neal played against Michael Jordan when he was in his prime, and he played with Kobe Bryant. What would Shaq say about James? Even Diesel argued that James has that next gear in him.

"So, I have a question for the panel. When he needs to average 16 points this year to pass up Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. So if he passes up Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in points, does that make him the greatest player ever... Because, if you don't have killer instinct, how you get 38,000 points? I'm just asking," Shaq said.

How dominant would Steph-LeBron duo be?

With as great of a passer as LeBron is and with Curry continuing to shoot 3-pointers at an impossibly great mark, these two together would inflict some damage on the NBA. James has already made history as the first player ever to be in the top 5 in scoring and assists. But his assists that result in 3-pointers made are especially impressive.

Over his 21 years in the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar has, far and away, the most assists coming off 3-pointers made ever with over 3,500. Just imagine what this number could catapult up to if you give James a year or two of Steph Curry as his teammate.

If you have LeBron—still one of the quickest and overpowering players in the NBA—coming downhill and being able to see the floor the way he can, Who are you stopping, LeBron attacking the rim or Steph from the 3-point line?

And how fitting would it be that both James and Curry—both being from Akron and the two faces of the NBA—each won their fifth NBA championship as teammates? After all those Finals battles and epic postseason games—after they both won at the expense of one another?

It would be that storybook ending for each of these all-time greats! Now, let's just sit back and hope it really does become a reality.