Curry: I'm not playing for LeBron's throne, just rings

LeBron James' recent comments concerning how the NBA's Most Valuable Player award should be interpreted left a sour taste in the mouths of Stephen Curry supporters, even though it wasn't his intention to debate the validity of Curry's unanimous MVP win.

A four-time league MVP in his own right, James believes there's a difference between being labeled the most valuable player for a team, and being the best player of the year. Had voters taken that mindset, perhaps the Golden State Warriors guard wouldn't have hoisted the hardware for a second consecutive season.

When made aware of The King's train of thought, Curry quickly shrugged it off like it wasn't a big deal.

"I've gotten really good at ignoring people," Curry said. "That is the theme of the last two years. So I'm alright."

James appreciates the historic 2015-16 regular-season campaign Curry is coming off of, and knows just how deserving he is of MVP honors, even if his definition for the award may differ.

"Look at Steph's numbers,'' James said on Wednesday. ''He averaged 30, he led the league in steals, he was 90-50-40 (shooting percentages from the free-throw line, field, and 3-pointers), and they won 73 (games). So, I don't, do you have any debate over that, really, when it comes to that award? But when you talk about most 'valuable' then you can have a different conversation, so, take nothing away from him, he's definitely deserving of that award, for sure."

The Warriors and James' Cleveland Cavaliers are both still alive in the NBA playoffs. The defending NBA champions will begin the Western Conference finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, while the Cavs await the winner of the Miami Heat-Toronto Raptors series.