LeBron is the biggest physical force in the NBA. Last season, he averaged 25-6-7 and that was considered a down year for him, one that he openly coasted through large portions of. He also shot 56-35-71 from the field. LeBron shot 56 percent from the field as a swingman, often at times when he was the only player on the court who was capable of creating their own shot. For most of his season last year, he was the top playmaker, shooter, scorer and defender on his team, while also doubling as, according to the annual GM survey, the best leader in the NBA. His playoff numbers were stupid last season, 30-11-8.5 while playing 42 minutes per game, guarding any player on the court and single handily willing his team to win two games in the finals against a team that had one of the greatest single seasons in league history. I think Curry is great and deserved his MVP award last season, but he can't do that.
Let's put it another way, what team in the East, could LeBron not carry to the NBA Finals? Philly, maybe the Nets? That also speaks to how weak the East is, but no player has a greater effect on his team than LeBron.