There was a reason why Shaquille O’Neal selected his All-Star team with veterans like LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry. “So I just wanted to put all these guys together and show the young guys and show the youngsters who runs this league.” It ultimately was a fruitful decision as Shaq’s OG’s won the All-Star tournament. The cherry on top was the Bay Area’s own Stephen Curry winning the MVP award. After another night of brilliant performance from the Warriors star, Shaq lays out his demand from the fans.

“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. Just just start putting them in the conversation. Mike, Kobe, and LeBron start putting stuff in that conversation; I demand it.” Yes, you heard right, The Big Aristotle wants Chef Curry to be a part of the conversation going forward! Since Shaquille O’Neal came face-to-face with all three, he knows a thing or two about the requirements of a GOAT in the NBA.

“I am the supreme leader, and my voice counts, and I’m saying listen, I played against Mike, played with Kobe, played against and with LeBron; they’re all great. But you got at some point, we’re gonna have to put Steph Curry in that category.” Another reason the Lakers legend wants fans not to forget about Stephen Curry—is that he has won titles against LeBron James in the finals multiple times.

“So I demand that people, you start putting my guy in that conversation,” said Shaq on TNT Tuesday. Time and time again, the Baby Faced Assassin has proven his naysayers wrong. Just last year, his display during the semifinals and finals in the Olympics reminded everyone about his clutch ability. This take from Shaquille O’Neal is not a new message.

Back in 2023, too, the Lakers legend voiced for inclusion for the 4x NBA champion in the GOAT debate. That was during the Inside the NBA show, and Kenny Smith would confirm with Shaq if he would put Stephen Curry over himself. Diesel stayed true to his word and emphatically said, “Yes.”

Shaquille O’Neal previously criticized Stephen Curry for the league’s failure

Even though Shaq has all praise for the 11x All-Star, Curry isn’t immune to criticism. A few months to harp about the declining viewership of the league, the LSU alum on his The Big Podcast had concerns about the current NBA games’ lack of variation. His reasoning was the over-reliance of teams on shooting from beyond the arc.

The Big Aristotle remarked, “It’s down because we’re looking at the same thing…Everybody is running the same plays…Steph Curry and those guys messed it up…” As per Shaquille O’Neal, the 3-point-heavy approach influenced by Steph Curry has led to a decline in viewership. However, some disagreed and stated the team’s failure and issue of viewership is not on Curry’s shoulders.

But in that statement from Shaq, one can understand the influence of the Warriors’ guard on the game. However, this time, the Lakers legend emphasized Curry’s influence and accolades are enough for him to be a part of the GOAT debate.