Former NBA players are a mixed bag, especially when it comes to the legends. Many are quick to discredit newer guys in defense of their own legacies, comparing how they would have played a certain style of basketball that was big in their era and mop the floor with a modern team. Many others, however, take the time to give guys the affirmation they’ve earned; these vets and retirees see the growth of the modern game as good for the sport.

A good example of the latter is Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq is one of the most dominant players ever, having been a force of nature in a post-heavy era that was the late 90s and early 2000s. While he is an analyst for TNT’s infamous “Inside the NBA” shows, he balances out his often-valid critiques with praise for the newest generation. While he probably would have still been pretty dominant in this era despite a lack of shooting ability, he recognizes the game has changed.

Something else that’s funny about Shaq, is that while his favorite player is arguably equal in his dominance, the approach is a very different one. Almost opposite, in fact.

It’s well-known at this point that Steph Curry is at the top of Shaq’s list of guys he likes to watch hoop. The Lakers legend has stated as much both in the media and directly to Steph. While Curry’s off-ball gravity and ability to create havoc on defenses from the moment he crosses half-court is a lot different than Shaq locking up the paint and making it all his, the levels of how much these two talents affect and affected games night in and night out. And after a Finals run for the ages, O’Neal is ready to crown the Warriors superstar as the best in the league:

Some would say it’s a bold take, but realistically, it shouldn’t be much of an argument that the best player on the team which just won an NBA title is the best player in the world, even if just for the moment. Curry’s playoff dominance has been well-reported, especially while he had the NBA’s top-ranked defense last season (the Boston Celtics) in the torture chamber trying to guard him for a whole 6 games. He had a special run to ring number 4, something which should be talked about as the squad gears up for another run next year.

While Shaq obviously is inclined towards acknowledging Steph’s greatness because that’s his favorite player, anyone with half a mind for basketball can see what the argument is for Steph’s title as the best in the world. As usual, however, detractors will say he isn’t because he’s not a hyper-athletic wing or big who’s putting up high counting stats. That doesn’t matter in the long run, as Curry’s game-warping talent and clear-cut title as the NBA’s most skilled player ever prove to anyone without a sense of bias that he’s well in contention for the best in the world… if he hasn’t somehow claimed it already.

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