Stephen Curry changed the NBA as we knew it.
One might argue that it was for better or for worse, but that’s not the point.
The fact is that Stephen Curry defined this era of basketball, and more than that, he owned it.
He stepped up in the midst of the LeBron James era and beat him three times in the NBA Finals, effectively ending it and making some people question whether it was his era at all.
That’s why Shaquille O’Neal, who played with Kobe Bryant and LeBron James and against Michael Jordan, believes No. 30 also belongs in the GOAT conversation.
With that in mind, Brian Windhorst pointed out some of the accolades Curry has accomplished, and his résumé stacks up with the likes of Tim Duncan, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and LeBron James.
Hence, he thinks he definitely deserves to be in the conversation (via First Take).
The crew weighs in on Steph Curry being a part of the GOAT conversation 👀
“He’s top 10, and not only is he top 10, he’s been there.”—@WindhorstESPN pic.twitter.com/PDwvRmDInu
— First Take (@FirstTake) March 5, 2025
Curry has won almost everything a player can win.
He’s won with and without Kevin Durant.
He’s beaten the best players on Earth at the biggest stage, and he’s done it over and over.
He might not be the biggest trash-talker or a freakish athlete, and some will never respect the three-point revolution.
But he’s literally changed the way the game is played, how defense gets set, and how kids work out and practice.
He’s the most influential player of his generation, and the numbers also speak for themselves: He deserves a spot near the top of that list.
NEXT: Shaq Doesn’t Hold Back His Thoughts About Stephen Curry
