After Stephen Curry hit a historic milestone, Shaquille O’Neal said the Golden State Warriors star, a four-time NBA champion who is widely considered the greatest shooter in league history, belongs in the GOAT debate.
While Curry’s shooting greatness is undeniable, he hasn’t been widely included in the GOAT conversation alongside Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Even after winning his fourth title in 2022, he has typically been ranked among the top 10 players ever rather than in the top tier.
To some, though, the conversation has changed after Curry became the first player to make 4,000 career 3-pointers. O’Neal revisited the debate and said it was time to recognize Curry’s place in the conversation.
Shaquille O’Neal Claims Stephen Curry Deserves To Be in GOAT Conversation
The discussion around the greatest NBA player ever can be quite toxic. O’Neal pointed out that James and Jordan are often the top candidates for the title and claimed that Curry’s name should at least have a place in the discussion.
“You know the way he plays the game. How he plays the game. I mentioned on our show that you should at least put his name in the conversation of the greatest player ever,” O’Neal said.
“I like the way he plays. Definitely changed the game. Because of him … every team is shooting 3s. They want to blame it on analytics, but it’s because everybody wanted to beat the Golden State Warriors and that guy.”
"Should at least put [Steph's] name in the [GOAT] conversation" 🗣️@SHAQ doubles down on his claim that @StephenCurry30's greatness deserves consideration amongst the best. pic.twitter.com/SLpZbKdfLJ
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 14, 2025
Curry’s influence on basketball is undeniable. His deep-range shooting changed offensive strategy across the league, forcing teams to prioritize 3-pointers like never before. However, critics argue Curry lacks the defensive dominance of other all-time greats. Due to his size, the Warriors star has often been called a defensive liability, potentially holding him back from joining the GOAT conversation.
O’Neal believes it’s time to rethink that logic and that Curry should be a part of the conversation alongside Jordan and James. Either way, Curry’s latest milestone only strengthens his legacy among the game’s greatest.