Shaquille O’Neal has never been shy about speaking in absolutes, and his latest take on the NBA’s all-time hierarchy was no exception.
Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, O’Neal said the standard two-name greatest-ever debate is too narrow, arguing that Kobe Bryant and Stephen Curry belong in that highest tier alongside Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
“Mike and Lebron which is fine. Gotta put Kobe in there…you gotta put Steph Curry in there… you definitely gotta put him as one of the greatest players of all time.”
Shaq’s Mt. Rushmore:
“Mike and Lebron which is fine. Gotta put Kobe in there…you gotta put Steph Curry in there… you definitely gotta put him as one of the greatest players of all time”
h/t @ohnohedidnt24 pic.twitter.com/Ea9cpE6Ttf
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) April 7, 2026
O’Neal framed Curry not merely as the greatest shooter ever or the best player of his generation at a specific skill, but as a legitimate Mount Rushmore figure in the sport’s full historical conversation. In other words, Shaq was not handing out a compliment. He was redrawing the top line of the debate.
Bryant’s inclusion is unsurprising given O’Neal’s history with him and Kobe’s enduring stature in all-time discussions. The more revealing part of the quote is Curry’s placement. For years, Curry’s legacy was often discussed through the lens of revolution: changing spacing, reshaping shot selection, and forcing the league to stretch itself stylistically around his range and movement. Shaq’s statement pushes that conversation a step further. It suggests that at some point influence, championships, longevity, and skill at that level stop being qualifiers for greatness and start becoming evidence for the very top shelf.
