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Former NBA MVP Shaquille O’Neal believes Steph Curry is the greatest player of all-time
During his storied NBA career, Shaquille O’Neal reached the pinnacle of success, securing multiple championships and Finals MVP awards.
He also played alongside Hall of Famers Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Steve Nash and LeBron James.
So, if anyone is qualified to assess basketball greatness, it’s the Big Aristotle — which made his All-Star Weekend praise for Steph Curry carry weight.
During an interview with Overtime, O’Neal was asked to speak after he heard a better player than Steph Curry.
O’Neal remained silent as a bevy of NBA superstars were listed before labeling Golden State Warriors star the greatest of all time.
Without speaking, O’Neal ranked Curry over the likes of Magic Johnson, Carmelo Anthony, Michael Jordan, LeBron James and even himself.
Then, the 1992 No. 1 pick boldly claimed Curry as the best basketball player in league history.
“Steph is the greatest,” O’Neal said.
Steph Curry Makes Exciting All-Star Announcement
GettySteph Curry will return to three-point contest in 2027
Steph Curry was named an All-Star starter, but was forced to withdraw from the 2026 All-Star game due to a knee injury. He was replaced by Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram.
His knee injury didn’t prevent him from making headlines in Los Angeles, though, as Curry announced that he will return to the three-point contest next season.
Fresh off winning his third NBA Three-Point Contest title, Damian Lillard shared on Instagram a text exchange confirming Curry’s interest in competing at the 2027 NBA All-Star Weekend in Phoenix.
“Next year … me, you, Klay, Book, and four more real shooters,” Lillard wrote, according to his Instagram story.
Curry didn’t hesitate to accept the challenge.
“Yessir I’m in. Know Klay will do it if I ask and Book will be at home. Perfect setup,” Curry replied.
Lillard posted the exchange publicly, captioning it simply: “It’s lit.”
Curry, the NBA’s all-time leader in made three-pointers, confirmed his intention to return to the contest during the NBC broadcast, which would mark his eighth career appearance.
Minutes before, Curry hit a trick shot from the NBC booth in a now viral clip.
Despite a loaded field of sharpshooters, Curry is expected to be the favorite in next year’s three-point contest in Phoenix.
Steph Curry Not Mulling Retirement Yet
GettySteph Curry not mulling retirement yet
Although Shaquille O’Neal believes Curry already claims the title as the greatest basketball player ever, the Warriors star is primed to add on to his Hall of Fame resume for a couple more years, at least.
Curry opened up about his retirement plans, or lack thereof, after NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.
Per Lizzie Hyman of People, Curry revealed that he doesn’t feel like his retirement from the NBA is on the horizon.
“It’ll declare itself, whenever the time comes to call it quits, which I don’t think is anytime soon,” Curry said. “I’m not really putting too much pressure on that.”
He continued: “Thinking about the end robs you of the now. I’m enjoying the journey of competing and all the work that goes into it. Hopefully that carries me a long way.”
Curry is recovering from a knee injury that sidelined him during his 12th career All-Star appearance. When healthy, the two-time NBA MVP has remained productive, averaging 27.2 points while shooting 39.1 percent from beyond the arc.
The 37-year-old said he takes pride in continuing to produce at a high level this deep into his career.
“It is a badge of honor to now be the oldest player doing all of these great things,” Curry said. “To redefine what greatness looks like at this age.”
Jalyn Smoot Jalyn Smoot is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has nearly 10 years of experience in local and national media, including print and digital. He previously covered the Texas Rangers for MLB.com and the Philadelphia 76ers for Metro Philadelphia. Smoot is a St. Louis born writer that now resides in Dallas. More about Jalyn Smoot
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