Steph Curry better be thankful LeBron James didn't have a voice in the decision to name him the NBA's first unanimous MVP.

If that was the case, chances are not only would Curry not had been so immortalized, he would miss out on the chance of claiming any hardware altogether.

James Thinks Most Valuable Tag Open to Interpretation

"I think sometimes the word 'valuable' or best player of the year, you can have different results," said James, a four-time MVP who finished third this season behind Curry and San Antonio's Kawhi Leonard. "You know, that's not taking anything from anyone that's ever won the award."

Even as James pointed to Curry's off-the-charts averages of 30 points, seven assists and five rebounds for the Golden State Warriors this season, he seemed to readily debate what the award should truly be about representing.

"Look at Steph's numbers," he said. "He averaged 30, he led the league in steals, he was 90-50-40 [shooting percentages from the free throw line, field and beyond the 3-point line], 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."

James, Curry Rivalry Only Building

The growing rivalry between the two Akron, Ohio-born superstars only adds to the riveting subplot that awaits should the two lead their teams back to the NBA Finals for a rematch of their 2015 showdown.

But first, there's the matter of Curry and the defending champ's overcoming the surging Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals and James and the Cleveland Cavaliers advancing past either the Toronto Raptors or his former Miami Heat in the East.

Meanwhile, Curry is only the 11th player in league history to earn back to back MVP awards, joining the likes of James, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.