Jun 6, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Shaquille O'Neal looks on before the game between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks in game one of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 6, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Shaquille O'Neal looks on before the game between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks in game one of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
On any day, the GOAT debate would revolve around Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James. But it wasn’t really just any day; the speaker was Shaquille O’Neal, and his pick was neither of them.
While the Jordan-Bryant-Bron conversation remained the pivotal point, Shaq always leaned more towards the Golden Warriors’ star, Stephen Curry. And once again, the Hall of Famer went on making his point clear.
“Steph is the GOAT," O'Neal said when he was asked by overtime to eat a Shaq-A-Licious Slam candy if he’d pick anyone better than prime Curry. The options were Damian Lillard, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Magic Johnson, LeBron, and even O'Neal himself.
Jan 30, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) stands on the court during a break in the action against the Detroit Pistons in the third quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Jan 30, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) stands on the court during a break in the action against the Detroit Pistons in the third quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
And the Candy remained untouched. Shaq didn’t hesitate to admit that he had never seen anyone quite like Curry. He said, "If you saw Steph on the street, he ain't got the LeBron muscles, he's not 6'9, 6'10.”
By looks, he is the “perfectly normal office guy.” But then, he’s the 12x All-Star, 2x NBA scoring champion, record holder for league-high three-pointers made, etc., who pushed the Golden State to 4 championships.
And moving past Curry’s overarching stats and records lists, the Hall of Famer made a clear statement for the NBA fanbase as a whole.
Shaquille O’Neal’s Demand Involving Stephen Curry
Other than the initial and ever only nominees of the GOAT debate, Kevin Durant sometimes made it to the list. But despite his endeavours, Curry does not make the cut quite as often. And Shaq demanded a change.
"I demand you fans to start putting Steph Curry in that greatest of all time conversation,” he said in 2025. “I played against Mike, played with Kobe, played against and with LeBron. They're all great, but at some point, we're going to have to put Steph Curry in that category.”
Although Curry’s prime era is pretty much on its edge, many of his contributions will remain as listed records.
So, with that being said, do you agree with Shaq's choice?
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Written by
Deblina Roy
Edited by
Souvik Roy