Shaquille O’Neal advocated for Stephen Curry’s inclusion in the GOAT debate, but NBA analyst Skip Bayless disagrees with the LA Lakers legend.
For years, NBA fans and media alike have debated who is the Greatest Basketball Player of All Time. Only a handful of players have ever made the cut in the eyes of the majority of the NBA community.
In 2025, the choice is down to three NBA legends: Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant.
But is it time to include another star on the list? Well, Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal seems to think so, as he recently pushed Stephen Curry’s name for the GOAT debate.
Shaquille O’Neal explains why Steph Curry should be a part of the GOAT debate
O’Neal is one of the few unique players who has seen MJ, Kobe, and LBJ in action up close. Keeping that in mind, Shaq reached the conclusion to promote the Golden State Warriors superstar to the GOAT table.
“As the supreme leader of the Big Man Alliance, I demand you fans to start putting Steph Curry in that greatest of all time conversation,” O’Neal said, via NBA on TNT.
He added: “I’ve played against Mike, played with Kobe, played against and with LeBron, they’re all great. But at some point you’ve got to put Steph Curry in that category.”
The NBA has been historically dominated by big, athletic players, but Curry doesn’t fit into that category. At 6’2″, Curry has created his legacy through sheer hard work and skill, even when many expected him to fail.
Skip Bayless blasts Shaquille O’Neal
If Curry goes on to win another NBA Championship as the leader of the Warriors, he could legitimately enter the debate. But even then, some will never put him in the same conversation as the likes of Jordan and James, NBA analyst Skip Bayless certainly falls in that category.
“Shaq just said Steph belongs in the GOAT convo. HUH? Steph was awful Games 5/6/7 as Dubs blew 3-1 lead to Cavs, then begged KD to come save [GSW] from LeBron, which KD did in back-to-back Finals,” Bayless wrote on X.
“Iggy was MVP of 1st Finals. Better than MJ? Please. Shaq is more GOATISH than Steph,” he added.
Teaming up with Kevin Durant and a lack of NBA Finals MVP trophies to his name have been major criticisms of Curry’s GOAT case.
However, aside from that, the Baby-Faced Assassin has all the ingredients to be included in the ever-so-old debate. He has insane popularity and has impacted the modern-day game like no other player.