Uncategorized

LeBron James’ former teammate challenges Steph Curry’s spot in GOAT debate

LeBron James’ former teammate challenges Steph Curry’s spot in GOAT debate (Image Credit: Imagn)

Amid Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors’ hot start, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal asked Iman Shumpert about the former’s placement in the GOAT debate. However, the 2016 NBA champion pushed back, citing Curry’s limitations compared to other all-time greats.

Golden State has defied expectations this season, starting 10-3 after many asserted that the franchise’s NBA championship window was closed. Curry continues to lead the way, averaging a team-best 23.0 points per game on efficient 47.9/42.7/94.3 shooting splits in Year 16.

On Monday’s episode of “The Big Podcast with Shaq,” O’Neal brought up the four-time NBA champion’s GOAT prospects. O’Neal named Shumpert’s ex-teammate, LA Lakers superstar forward LeBron James, and Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan, and asked if Curry belongs in the same discussion.

According to Shumpert, Curry relies more on his team’s offensive system, so he isn’t as difficult to stop in late-game situations. He added that the right game plan can relatively contain the two-time MVP.

“Technically, yes. Personally, no,” Shumpert said. “… I speak off experience from having to usually guard the best player. There are certain players that you guard that [you can’t stop]. … When you’ve gotta deal with somebody like that at the end of a game, it’s like, ‘Man.’

“Steph, he uses a lot of stuff to get open, like he’s going around screens. If you could switch and do enough, and not let him get the ball, you might make it out okay,” he continued.

O’Neal noted that he’s “never thought about (the GOAT debate) like that.” Afterward, Shumpert used O’Neal’s low-post dominance as an example to prove his point, which the big man appeared to appreciate.

Shaquille O’Neal questions GOAT debate criteria; uses Steph Curry’s championships to make his case

While Shaquille O’Neal seemingly respected Iman Shumpert’s GOAT debate opinion, he later questioned what the “criteria” is “with so much going on.”

According to O’Neal, if championships are factored in, Steph Curry should be in the discussion, as he has as many as LeBron James.

“LeBron’s got four, Kobe [Bryant’s] got five, but he should be mentioned. And Steph’s got four. He can be mentioned,” O’Neal said.

Nevertheless, Shumpert reiterated that Curry is “in a totally different category” than Michael Jordan, James and Bryant.

Related Posts

𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿-𝗠𝗮𝗻 𝟰

El trepamuros regresa, y la espera casi ha terminado. El tráiler oficial de *Spider-Man 4* ha revolucionado internet, anunciando el esperado reencuentro de Tobey Maguire con el visionario…

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝟮

Priest (2025) es un thriller de terror sobrenatural que lleva fuerzas oscuras, retorcidas tradiciones religiosas y una tensión implacable a la pantalla. Ambientada en un mundo distópico donde…

𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗧 𝟮 (𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱)

La espía que nunca pudieron atrapar ha vuelto. Angelina Jolie regresa como Evelyn Salt en la esperadísima secuela: un emocionante descenso al sombrío mundo del espionaje, las traiciones…

𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟮

Cuando el mundo se derrumba, la esperanza es el único refugio. Greenland 2 continúa la apasionante historia de John Garrity y su familia, sobrevivientes del cataclísmico cometa que…

𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗸: 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀 (𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰)

Turok: Origins es un shooter cooperativo en tercera persona desarrollado por Saber Interactive en colaboración con Universal Products & Experiences. Lanzado por primera vez en The Game Awards…

𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝟱

En lo profundo del corazón indómito del Amazonas, algo colosal está a punto de ocurrir. El primer tráiler de Anaconda 5: El Depredador del Bosque promete una inmersión…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *