Over the last few seasons, a common theme that has vexed regular NBA fans is the legend’s disposition toward the current-day product. Whether it is Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley on “NBA on TNT” or the media covering the game, fans have continually called out the general negativity.
But O’Neal doesn’t think everything about the sport today is bad. In fact, when asked, he named a couple of players who he believed would have thrived in his era. However, a notable absentee from the list was the greatest shooter in NBA history.
Shaquille O’Neal Leaves Stephen Curry off List With Kevin Durant and LeBron James
The late 1990s and 2000s era of the NBA are usually described as some of the most intense and physical brands of basketball in history. Whether it was pace or defensive efficiency, every metric touched record numbers during that era, and Shaq thrived in it.
When asked about who from the modern day could have made it back then, the four-time NBA Champion had three names in mind. “I think about that all the time. Ant Edwards, big and strong.”
The list of current NBA players who could have played in Shaq’s era is very short 👀
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The next two, however, were answers that even O’Neal saw as cop-outs. “LeBron [James], of course. Well, he did play in our era. KD [Kevin Durant], also played in our era. That’s about it.”
It left a lot of people stunned, especially with the plethora of talent in the NBA currently. While names like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic not being on the list was surprising, the biggest shocker came in the form of Stephen Curry.
Curry is the only unanimous MVP in league history and a four-time NBA Champion. He has revolutionized the sport, unlike any other player. As a result, his exclusion from the list left many people puzzled, especially given the relationship between the two superstars.
The Bromance Between Stephen Curry and O’Neal
Over the years, O’Neal has been a huge supporter and proponent of Curry. A year ago, he even placed the Golden State Warriors superstar above him on potential all-time lists in a debate on NBA on TNT.
During that same discussion, it was the one-time league MVP who opened the conversation about the league leader in 3-pointers made being in the GOAT conversation. As a result, the lack of Curry in his answer was all the more surprising.
Just a week ago, it was Curry, on the back of a 12-point outing in the Finals who led O’Neal’s team of OGs to a win in the new four-game tournament format of the All-Star Game. Guess he wasn’t that impressed with his player’s performance.
