SHAQUILLE O’NEAL ADMITS HE UNDERESTIMATED STEPHEN CURRY ON PODCAST AND GETS EMOTIONAL EXPLAINING WHY
In a rare moment of vulnerability, basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal confessed to underestimating the revolution that Stephen Curry was bringing to the NBA. What began as skepticism gradually transformed into a profound lesson in humility and respect, marking a pivotal moment in the Big Podcast with Shaq.
The studio, alive with energy, buzzed as soft lights illuminated the set. Shaquille O’Neal, adjusting his imposing 7’1’’ frame, settled into the specially reinforced chair, which struggled to contain his 325-pound physique. His co-hosts and a special NBA guest took their seats, with professional microphones positioned in front of them, alongside water bottles and snacks. This particular episode was about to discuss the evolution of basketball, and how some players completely changed the game.
“We’re going to talk about transformation,” the co-host said, directing a meaningful glance at Shaq. “Players who completely changed the game of the NBA.”
As the show unfolded, the screen behind them lit up with archival footage of Shaquille O’Neal at his peak—devastating dunks that made the backboards tremble, opposing centers being pushed around like children, and extravagant celebrations after each display of dominance. Four championship rings and a nearly invincible Los Angeles Lakers legacy proved that Shaq had represented the pinnacle of physical dominance in basketball.
The Shift to Curry
Then, the footage changed abruptly, now showing Stephen Curry, 6’2’’ and approximately 185 pounds—physically closer to an average fan than the stereotype of an NBA superstar. The camera captured Curry launching impossible shots from absurd distances, dancing between defenders, and celebrating with his signature mouthguard bite.
“And then came this man,” the guest continued. “Who transformed the game in a completely opposite way.”
The camera returned to Shaq, who was staring contemplatively at the screen.
“You always valued physical dominance,” the co-host said directly to Shaq. “What did you think when this skinny kid started changing basketball with three-point shots?”
Shaq, normally jovial and playful, suddenly turned serious. His face grew thoughtful, and he took a deep breath. For a moment, the studio fell silent.
“I’m going to be completely honest here,” Shaq began, his deep voice softer than usual. “I didn’t believe it. I simply didn’t believe it.”
Shaq shifted in his chair, visibly uncomfortable with the admission.
“I come from a school where basketball is won in the paint,” he continued. “I was the Big Aristotle, the Diesel. My game was all about physical dominance.”
An unusual silence overtook the studio. The faces of the other participants registered surprise at Shaq’s uncommon candor.
“I looked at this skinny guy from Davidson,” Shaq admitted. “A guy who didn’t even look like he belonged in the same league as me physically, and I thought, ‘This is a fad. This won’t last.’”
Shaq paused, a wistful smile forming on his face.
“And that was just the beginning of my mistake.”
The Early Years of Curry
The screen displayed images of the 2009 NBA draft. A young Stephen Curry, dressed in a suit with a nervous smile, waited for his name to be called. The camera zoomed in on Curry’s reaction when the Golden State Warriors selected him with the seventh pick. Six teams had passed on him. Six missed opportunities.
“When he entered the league, I didn’t even pay attention,” Shaq confessed, gesturing nonchalantly. “To me, he was just another shooter in a league full of them. I had seen many guys like him come and go without leaving a mark.”
The footage shifted to the early years of Curry’s career with the Warriors, showing him in a uniform that seemed too big for his slender frame, limping off the court due to ankle injuries.
“And then when he started having ankle problems, I thought, ‘See, this is what happens with these smaller guys. They can’t handle the grind of the NBA.’” Shaq shook his head, acknowledging his shortsightedness.
“I was on TNT commentating at that time, and the guys can confirm, I said on air with no filter, ‘Shooting teams don’t win championships.’”
The montage showed clips from the Inside the NBA show, where Shaq confidently declared, “Three-point shooting is like a jab in boxing. It doesn’t knock anyone out. Winning championships in the paint has been the law of the NBA since the game existed. It’s always been that way. It always will be.”
Shaq paused, opening his arms in a gesture of surrender.
“I had this philosophy etched in my mind,” he said. “The strongest man dictates the rules. It worked for me—four rings, MVP, Hall of Fame. When you’ve had success playing a certain way, it’s hard to accept that there’s another path.”
The Turning Point
The screen shifted again to the 2013-2014 Warriors gaining momentum. Curry was now hitting shots from increasingly absurd distances, his ankle finally stable. His name gradually entered conversations about rising stars.
“Even when they started winning games, I thought, ‘Okay, regular season is one thing. The playoffs are a whole different story. When the game gets physical in the playoffs, when the refs allow more contact, this style will crumble.’”
Shaq ran his hand over his face as if trying to erase his old thoughts.
“I wasn’t alone in this,” he admitted. “I talked to Charles, to Karl Malone, even to Jordan. We all shared this skepticism about the outside shooting game. It was like a brotherhood of dinosaurs, you know?”
Shaq laughed at himself.
“The problem is, when you’ve been big your whole life,” Shaq continued, “it’s hard to understand how someone small can dominate. It’s against everything you’ve learned about the game.”
The Moment of Realization
The screen showed Curry breaking the record for most three-pointers in a season at Oracle Arena. The numbers didn’t lie, and even Shaq had to admit it.
“Even seeing the numbers, the records being broken, a part of me still resisted,” Shaq said, looking directly at the camera. “Until something happened that I couldn’t ignore anymore.”
The footage changed to February 27, 2016, during a game between the Warriors and the Oklahoma City Thunder. With just seconds left in overtime, Curry, from more than 30 feet away, launched a shot that swished through the net, winning the game.
“I was watching this game at home,” Shaq said, narrating his disbelief as the camera focused on him. “Curry had hit 12 threes, including that bomb to win the game. And yet, my first reaction was to think, ‘Luck.’”
A self-deprecating smile crossed his face.
“I was trying not to see what was right in front of me.”
The video showed the Warriors lifting the Larry O’Brien trophy in 2015, with Curry still sporting a boyish face, holding the trophy amidst falling confetti.
“When they won in 2015, I told everyone that they only won because Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving were injured,” Shaq admitted, lowering his voice almost ashamed. “I was looking for any excuse.”
The Realization
The video fast-forwarded to the Warriors’ historic 2015-2016 season, with 73 wins and 9 losses, the best campaign of all time. Curry received the MVP trophy unanimously, the first in NBA history.
“But something was changing in me,” Shaq said, leaning forward in his chair. “One night, I was watching a game with my son, who had become completely obsessed with Curry.”
The production showed a photo of Shaq with his children.
“My son, noticing my expression during the game, asked me directly, ‘Dad, why don’t you like Curry? Is it because he plays differently than you?’”
Shaq swallowed hard, clearly impacted by the memory.
“Out of the mouth of a child… you know, it caught me off guard. It made me question my own ego, how I was clinging to my legacy.”
The footage showed Shaq having a conversation with Dell Curry, Steph’s father, at an NBA event.
“After that, I had a conversation with Dell,” Shaq continued. “He told me about how Steph trained when he was a kid—the endless hours shooting, how he had to work twice as hard to make up for not being the tallest or most athletic.”
The screen then displayed a montage of kids trying to imitate Curry’s signature shot.
“Then I started seeing this everywhere,” Shaq said, a genuine smile forming. “Kids on every court didn’t want to dunk like Shaq anymore. They wanted to shoot like Curry.”
The Final Admission
Shaq’s expression turned rare and vulnerable as he continued, “That’s when I realized this guy isn’t just good. He’s changing the DNA of the game.”
The camera zoomed in on Shaquille O’Neal’s face in the podcast studio, something rare happening—Shaq, known for his larger-than-life personality, had misty eyes. He blinked repeatedly, trying to maintain composure as he prepared for the most vulnerable part of his story.
“Look,” he said, his voice slightly choked up, “It’s not easy for someone my size, with my ego, to admit this, but I was completely wrong about Stephen Curry.”
He paused, taking a deep breath.
“Not just wrong about his ability, but wrong about what it means to be great in this game.”
The production showed images of Curry and Shaq talking at an NBA event, a striking physical contrast, yet there was something leveling in the way they looked at each other. Mutual respect had transcended their differences.
A New Kind of Greatness
“Few people know this,” Shaq said, “but I sought out Steph privately after an NBA event. I wanted to look him in the eye and tell him that I underestimated him. I wanted him to know that I recognized his greatness.”
A smile lit up Shaq’s face as he recalled the moment.
“You know what he did? He just smiled at me and said that he grew up watching me play. That I was an inspiration to him too.”
Shaq shook his head in admiration.
“The humility of this guy after everything he’s achieved… It hit me in a way I didn’t expect.”
Shaq’s voice softened as he reflected on his realization.
“I spent my entire career believing that there was only one path to greatness in basketball: strength, physical dominance, and imposition of will. But Steph showed me that there’s another kind of strength. Precision is also power. Skill is also dominance.”
The screen displayed images of Curry lifting multiple trophies, breaking the record for most three-pointers in NBA history, cementing his undeniable legacy.
Shaq’s Evolution
“As an analyst and former player, I realize that I have a responsibility,” Shaq said seriously. “I can’t stay stuck in the past. The game evolves.”
“And now,” Shaq continued, “when I see a small kid with big dreams, I remember Curry. And I think, who am I to say he can’t?”
For a moment, the studio was in complete silence, absorbing the weight of Shaq’s confession.
Then, like a cloud dissipating, Shaq’s expression changed, and his old mischievous smile returned.
“But let me make one thing clear,” he grinned, pointing at the camera. “If Curry tried to take me on in the paint, it would still be a disaster for him!”
Shaq’s booming laughter filled the studio as everyone joined in. Just as Curry transformed basketball, maybe Shaq was evolving too—maintaining his essence but expanding his horizons.
Play video:
