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“Stephen Curry proved me wrong and I loved it”: Shaquille O’Neal reveals how the Warriors legend became his favorite NBA player

Tonoy Sengupta
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"Stephen Curry proved me wrong and I loved it": Shaquille O'Neal reveals how the Warriors legend became his favorite NBA player

Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal reveals why he used to hate Stephen Curry earlier on in the Warriors star’s career, but changed his tune later.

Wardell Stephen Curry is a transcendent player, to say the least. The Chef’s range and skill level is arguably the highest the NBA has ever seen. And every time he chooses to display his dominance, he is arguably the greatest show in NBA history.

Of course, he wasn’t one of the greatest from the very start. It took time for the Baby-Faced Assassin to start launching from deep like there was no tomorrow. And even when he did, there were many that kept doubting his ability for a long time.

Former NBA player and TNT analyst Shaquille O’Neal recently admitted that he used to be a part of this crowd. But as time went on, he also revealed why Curry became his favorite player in the NBA.

Also Read: Lakers legend’s rookie card sets an all-time record for any sports card

Shaquille O’Neal reveals why he turned from a hater to admirer of the ability of Stephen Curry

Shaq is no stranger to hating on players. His comments about the likes of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert have gotten him into hot water this season alone. And it seems that much like them, Stephen Curry was a target of his earlier on his career as well.

But as time went on, Shaquille O’Neal very publicly started referring to the Warriors superstar as his favorite player in the NBA. Fans were a bit stunned by the sudden change in the analyst’s feelings around the player at the time. And after keeping the reason to himself for quite some time, O’Neal finally revealed it to the world very recently.

During his appearance on the ‘All the Smoke’ podcast alongside Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes, this is what he had to say on the matter.

“I used to hate him early on in his career… (I’d say), ‘He ain’t gonna make that’. But he kept proving me wrong and that’s why he’s my best player…I like being proved wrong. So my message to these young cats: When I say something, prove me wrong.”

It certainly is a very Shaq-like thing to say prove me wrong. And Stephen Curry certainly did, along with millions worldwide, leaving no doubt that he is indeed the greatest shooter of all time.

Also Read: Shannon Sharpe seems shook by the Nets star while swearing on live TV on FS1 Undisputed

About the author

Tonoy Sengupta

Tonoy Sengupta

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Tonoy Sengupta is a Senior Editor at The SportsRush. Coming from an athletically inclined family, he has been surrounded by sports ever since he was 4 years old. But, while initially pouring all his time into Football (soccer), at 14, Tonoy discovered basketball through the countless highlights of Stephen Curry humiliating players from Curry Land. And just like that, a fiery passion for the game was ignited within Tonoy. And soon after, he decided to become a student of journalism, graduating in 2022, and choosing sports as his area of interest. Today, you can find him spending 99% of his time browsing through every type of content on every team in the NBA, before uncorking everything he has found to the world. In the 1% he isn't doing this, you can find him playing Basketball, Football, Volleyball, or practically any other sport he has had the opportunity to learn.

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