The first time Stephen Curry encountered Shaquille O’Neal, he wasn’t standing on the court or even sitting courtside. He was a ten-year-old boy in Charlotte, huddled with his family in their basement as the winter winds howled outside. The TV screen flickered with the image of a 7’1” giant—Shaq—moving across the hardwood with a force and grace that seemed to bend reality. For young Steph, that night marked the birth of a dream, and the beginning of a lifelong fascination.
Even now, decades later, Curry can recall every detail. “It was like watching a force of nature,” he remembers. “Shaq didn’t just play basketball. He transformed it. He made the court look small, the rim look fragile, and the other players—guys who were already NBA giants—looked like kids trying to stop a runaway train.”
What stuck with Steph wasn’t just Shaq’s size or power, but the way he seemed to command the air in the arena. When Shaq entered, the atmosphere changed. The crowd’s energy shifted. Even the opposing players seemed to shrink in his shadow. “He had this magnetic presence,” Curry says. “You couldn’t look away.”
As a child, Steph hugged his basketball at night, imagining what it would be like to step onto the same courts as his father, Dell Curry, and play against legends like Shaq. But watching Shaq, he realized that greatness wasn’t just about talent. It was about embracing what made you unique—and turning it into your superpower.
What many didn’t know, and what Curry would only discover much later, was the story behind Shaq’s unstoppable confidence. Shaquille O’Neal grew up in a military family, moving from base to base under the stern guidance of his stepfather, Sergeant Philip Harrison, and the unwavering love of his mother, Lucille. The constant change and need to adapt forged a resilience in Shaq that would become the bedrock of his career.
“He learned to reinvent himself, to fit in wherever he went,” Curry notes. “That’s why, when the spotlight hit him, he was ready. He’d been preparing his whole life.”
By the time Shaq reached Louisiana State University, he was no longer just a promise—he was a phenomenon. Under Coach Dale Brown, he transformed his raw talent into a blend of power and finesse the sport had never seen. Curry remembers watching those LSU games with his dad, both of them slack-jawed as Shaq dominated the paint, spinning and dunking with a mix of brutality and grace.
In 1992, Shaq was drafted first overall by the Orlando Magic, and the NBA would never be the same. His rookie season was an earthquake—backboards shattered, records fell, and a new era began. “He was the face of the franchise, the heart and soul,” Curry says. “He showed us what was possible if you refused to be limited by anyone’s expectations.”
Shaq’s career soared: from Orlando to Los Angeles, where he and Kobe Bryant formed one of the most electrifying duos in sports history. Three consecutive championships with the Lakers, a Finals MVP performance for the ages—Shaq was a living legend. But what Curry admired most was not just his dominance, but his ability to rise in the biggest moments. “He thrived under pressure. When the lights were brightest, Shaq shined the most. That’s something I’ve always tried to emulate.”
Off the court, Shaq was larger than life. Nicknames, rap albums, movie roles—he refused to be boxed in. He took risks, some successful, some not, but always with the same fearless energy. “He showed us that being an athlete didn’t have to mean just one thing,” Curry says. “You could be a player, an entertainer, a businessman. You could be yourself.”
But behind the charisma and the championships, Shaq faced battles of his own. The pressures of fame, the demands of the NBA, and the strains on his family took their toll. His marriage to Shaunie Nelson, once the envy of the sports world, cracked under the weight of constant travel and relentless public scrutiny. “It’s easy to judge from the outside,” Curry reflects. “But nobody really knows what it’s like to live under that kind of microscope.”
When Shaq’s personal life unraveled, he didn’t hide or make excuses. He faced his mistakes head-on, apologized publicly, and began the hard work of rebuilding—first as a father, then as a man. “That’s real greatness,” Curry says quietly. “Not just winning, but admitting when you’re wrong. Owning your failures and growing from them.”
As Curry’s own career blossomed, he and Shaq became unlikely friends. Their games couldn’t be more different—Shaq, the unstoppable force in the paint; Steph, the revolutionary shooter stretching defenses to the limit. But instead of rivalry, there was respect. Shaq asked Steph about his shooting, his workouts, the mental discipline required to hit shots from impossible distances. And Steph, in turn, learned from Shaq’s wisdom about embracing change, celebrating others’ strengths, and staying true to yourself.
“There was never any bitterness,” Curry says. “Just a genuine love for the game, and for the people who play it.”
Shaq’s post-basketball life became a testament to his growth. He poured his energy into philanthropy, building schools, supporting communities, and inspiring the next generation. He spoke openly about his failures and his journey toward redemption. “He taught me that legacy isn’t just about rings or stats. It’s about the lives you touch, the doors you open, and the courage to keep growing.”
When Curry finally broke his silence about Shaquille O’Neal, the basketball world was stunned—not by controversy, but by the depth of respect and the lessons learned. “Shaq’s story isn’t just about basketball,” Curry concludes. “It’s about redemption, humility, and the courage to face your imperfections. That’s the kind of greatness I want to chase—not just on the court, but in life.”
And in that message, Steph Curry didn’t just honor a legend. He reminded us all what true greatness really means.
‘I demand you fans to start putting Steph Curry in that greatest of all time conversation’ NBA legend Shaquille O’ Neal shares two cents on Curry in GOAT debate
The ongoing debate about the greatest basketball player of all time (GOAT) typically centers around three legendary names: Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant.
Shaquille O Neal and Stephen Curry in the frame
The ongoing debate about the greatest basketball player of all time (GOAT) typically centers around three legendary names: Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant. However, NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal believes it’s time for Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry to be included in that elite conversation.
Shaq’s Case for Curry’s GOAT Status
During a segment on NBA on TNT, O’Neal expressed his frustration over Curry being overlooked in the GOAT debate. Having played against Michael Jordan, teamed up with Kobe Bryant, and both played with and faced LeBron James, Shaq firmly believes that Curry’s impact on the game is undeniable.
“I demand you fans to start putting Steph Curry in that greatest of all time conversation. 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,” Shaq stated.
Gaining Support from NBA Legends
O’Neal is not alone in his stance. Phoenix Suns legend Steve Nash has also spoken highly of Curry, emphasizing his revolutionary influence on the game.
“I think in some ways he’s underappreciated. You know, his impact on the game, the way he was able to be an MVP and a champion in a new way, shooting impossible shots at a high percentage, the way he impacts defenses even when he doesn’t have the ball, like, it’s remarkable,” Nash said.
With high-profile endorsements from legendary figures in basketball, Curry’s influence and legacy continue to grow.
Curry’s Impressive Resume
Stephen Curry’s list of accomplishments further strengthens his case as one of the all-time greats. He is a four-time NBA champion, a two-time league MVP (2015 and 2016), an NBA Finals MVP in 2022, and an 11-time All-Star. His contributions to the game have been monumental, reshaping how basketball is played, especially with his three-point shooting prowess.
A Unique Player, But Is He the GOAT?
Despite his accolades, the discussion around Curry’s legacy often revolves around his playing style. On the To The Baha podcast, Theo Pinson acknowledged Curry’s greatness but suggested that he doesn’t fit the traditional mold of a point guard.
“I don’t think of Stephen Curry as [a point guard], but he is the best shooter of all time,” Pinson said, implying that Curry’s shoot-first approach sets him apart from conventional playmakers.
Curry had earlier received flak from another legend Michael Jordan calling him undeserving Hall of Famer.
