Kobe Bryant And Shaquille O’Neal vs. Stephen Curry And Klay Thompson Comparison

Dominant duos in NBA history have always achieved success in the modern NBA game. Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal absolutely decimated the league in the early 2000s as they were the two best players in the game at one point who happened to be on the same team. Meanwhile, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson did their damage in their own way by shooting the ball and spearheading a new “Death Lineup” that has changed the NBA forever.

In this comparison, we will delve into the careers, playing styles, and impact of these exceptional players to better understand what sets them apart and what unites them in the annals of NBA history. Kobe and Shaq’s pure dominance and skills as the best players of their era will be pitted against the sharpshooting prowess and chemistry of Curry and Thompson in a captivating exploration of two of the most iconic partnerships in modern basketball history.

NBA Championships

Kobe Bryant & Shaquille O’Neal: 3

Stephen Curry & Klay Thompson: 4

When comparing the championship success of two iconic NBA duos, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, who secured three championships during their dominant stint with the Los Angeles Lakers in the early 2000s (2000, 2001, 2002), and Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, who boast four championships with the Golden State Warriors (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022), it’s imperative to delve deeper into their respective legacies.

Kobe and Shaq’s three championships represent a period of Western Conference dominance and a remarkable three-peat. Their inside-outside game showcased Shaq’s dominance in the paint and Kobe’s clutch perimeter scoring. Their partnership set a historic template for future duos, leaving an indelible mark on NBA history.

On the other hand, Curry and Thompson’s four championships signify a different era of NBA basketball, characterized by their three-point shooting prowess and the evolution of pace-and-space play. They revolutionized the game, redefining the concept of perimeter shooting with unmatched skill. 

Their collective impact on team success and the evolution of the modern game makes them a historically significant duo. The fact that the Splash Brothers changed the game and also won four titles together, they earn an advantage over the legendary Lakers duo.

Finals MVPs

Kobe Bryant & Shaquille O’Neal: 3

Stephen Curry & Klay Thompson: 1

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal’s three Finals MVP awards, earned during their championship reign with the Los Angeles Lakers, underscore their remarkable dominance in the early 2000s. Shaq claimed all three awards in the duo’s time together, indicating his true dominance in his prime. 

Shaq’s Finals MVP in 2000 was accompanied by an impressive stat line, including averages of 38.0 points, 16.7 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game during the Finals. In 2001, O’Neal averaged 33.0 points, 15.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. A year later, the big man posted 36.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game.

On the other hand, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, while achieving four championships with the Golden State Warriors, have secured only one Finals MVP between them. An honor went to Andre Iguodala in 2015 while Kevin Durant won it in 2017 and 2018. Despite their exceptional three-point shooting and contributions, their Finals MVP count falls short compared to Kobe and Shaq’s individual recognition, as Curry only won it in 2022 when he posted 31.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game.

Kobe and Shaq’s three combined awards reflect their individual brilliance and leadership during their championship runs, with Shaq’s dominant 2000 performance standing out on the stat sheet, in particular.

NBA MVP Awards

Kobe Bryant & Shaquille O’Neal: 1

Stephen Curry & Klay Thompson: 2

In terms of NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, both Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, as well as Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, have each earned two MVP awards during their respective careers. Shaquille O’Neal won a single MVP award alongside Kobe Bryant in 199-00, posting a league-leading 29.7 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game.

Stephen Curry was named NBA MVP twice in the 2014-15 (23.8 points, 7.7 assists) and 2015-16 seasons (30.1 points, 6.7 assists). While Kobe and Klay did not win MVP awards, they made significant contributions to their teams’ success and were integral parts of their respective championship runs. Kobe did win an MVP award in 2007-08, but O’Neal was not part of his team anymore. Therefore, the Warriors’ duo has the advantage.

Defensive Player Of The Year Awards

Kobe Bryant & Shaquille O’Neal: 0

Stephen Curry & Klay Thompson: 0

When considering the accolades for the Defensive Player of the Year award, it’s worth noting that neither of these duos, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, as well as Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, have secured this particular honor during their careers. The absence of Defensive Player of the Year awards in their respective accolades doesn’t diminish their overall contributions to their teams and the game.

While these awards are typically associated with players who excel on the defensive end of the court, both duos have made their mark in other areas, such as scoring, leadership, and overall impact on their teams’ success. It’s important to recognize that individual awards don’t always capture the full scope of a player’s contributions, and each of these duos has left a lasting legacy in their own right, albeit without this specific accolade.

Scoring Titles

Kobe Bryant & Shaquille O’Neal: 1

Stephen Curry & Klay Thompson: 2

In terms of scoring titles, both pairs of duos have achieved a total of two scoring titles each during their respective careers. Shaquille O’Neal secured two scoring titles in the NBA and so did Kobe Bryant, but only one of those came in the players’ time together and that was courtesy of O’Neal. Shaq won the scoring title in 2000, posting 29.7 points per game on 57.4% from the field.

Stephen Curry happened to win two scoring titles in his time alongside Klay Thompson, posting 30.1 points per game in 2016 and 32.0 points per game in 2021 (Klay did not play). While Shaq and Kobe won a total of four scoring titles, three of them came outside of their stint together and that means the edge goes to the Warriors’ duo.

All-NBA Team Selections

Kobe Bryant & Shaquille O’Neal: 14

Stephen Curry & Klay Thompson: 11

The number of All-NBA Team selections is a significant indicator of a player’s consistent excellence and impact on the league. In this aspect, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal had a total of 14 All-NBA Team selections, underscoring their remarkable careers and influence on the NBA.

Kobe Bryant, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history, earned six All-NBA Team selections during his illustrious career, showcasing his scoring, leadership, and overall skills. Shaquille O’Neal, a dominant force in the paint, also received eight All-NBA Team nods, reflecting his impact on both ends of the floor.

On the other hand, Stephen Curry (nine) and Klay Thompson (two), key figures in the Golden State Warriors’ success, have a combined total of 11 All-NBA Team selections. These selections highlight their pivotal roles in their team’s championship-winning seasons and their proficiency in three-point shooting, which revolutionized the game.

While Kobe and Shaq have more All-NBA Team selections, the 11 selections of Curry and Thompson are a testament to their impact on the modern game, particularly in terms of their influence on three-point shooting and the style of play in the NBA.

All-Star Appearances

Kobe Bryant & Shaquille O’Neal: 13

Stephen Curry & Klay Thompson: 14

NBA All-Star appearances are a testament to a player’s popularity, skill, and impact on the league. In this regard, both duos have had notable All-Star careers, with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson holding a slight edge.

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, during their time as teammates with the Los Angeles Lakers, earned a combined total of 13 All-Star appearances. These selections reflect their dominance in the early 2000s and their status as two of the league’s premier players.

On the other hand, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have a combined total of 14 All-Star appearances. Their appearances underscore their pivotal roles in the success of the Golden State Warriors and the shift towards perimeter-oriented, three-point-heavy play in the modern NBA.

While the difference in All-Star selections between the two duos is minimal, these honors showcase the recognition of their excellence and influence during their respective eras but also show how dominant Shaq and Kobe won in only eight years together.

All-Defensive Team Selections

Kobe Bryant & Shaquille O’Neal: 8

Stephen Curry & Klay Thompson: 1

The number of All-Defensive Team selections is a crucial metric to evaluate a player’s defensive prowess and contributions to their team’s success. In this category, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal have a significant advantage with a combined total of eight selections, compared to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson’s one selection.

Kobe Bryant’s defensive skills were well-recognized throughout his career, and he earned a substantial number of All-Defensive Team selections. Shaquille O’Neal, a dominant force in the paint, also received his fair share of these honors, showcasing his impact on the defensive end.

In contrast, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, while known for their offensive abilities and three-point shooting, have received fewer All-Defensive Team selections. Their impact on the defensive end, while important for their team, may not have been as pronounced as their offensive contributions and this is an easy victory for the Lakers duo.

Total Win Shares

Kobe Bryant & Shaquille O’Neal: 170.6

Stephen Curry & Klay Thompson: 168.4

As you’ve mentioned, the total Win Shares for Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal are 170.6, while for Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, the total Win Shares are 168.4. Total Win Shares is a comprehensive statistic that takes into account a player’s contributions to their team’s success, including offensive and defensive aspects.

In this case, Kobe and Shaq hold a slight advantage in terms of their total Win Shares, reflecting their combined impact on the Los Angeles Lakers during their time as teammates. Both duos have made significant contributions to their respective teams, and their Win Shares highlight their importance in achieving success on the basketball court.

However, the edge goes to Shaq and Kobe, who were both at the top of their games and the two best players in the world at their time. Curry might have been considered the best player in the world at one point, possibly, but Thompson was never considered that which is why eight years of Shaq and Kobe led to a higher total win shares.

Total PER

Kobe Bryant & Shaquille O’Neal: 51.2

Stephen Curry & Klay Thompson: 41.4

Player Efficiency Rating (PER) is a statistic that attempts to summarize a player’s statistical accomplishments in a single number. In this comparison, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal have a combined PER of 51.2, while Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have a combined PER of 41.4.

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal’s combined PER of 51.2 reflects their individual and collective dominance during their time as teammates with the Los Angeles Lakers. Both players had high PERs, with Kobe being a versatile scorer and Shaq a dominant force in the paint. This suggests their significant impact on both ends of the floor.

Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson’s combined PER of 41.4, while slightly lower, is still impressive and showcases their offensive capabilities, especially their three-point shooting and playmaking. Their contributions to the Golden State Warriors’ success are well-reflected in these statistics.

The difference in PER between the two pairs highlights the unique playing styles and strengths of each duo. Kobe and Shaq’s dominance in the early 2000s was characterized by versatile scoring and defensive presence, whereas Curry and Thompson’s success revolved around their three-point shooting and perimeter-oriented play. As a better all-around duo, Kobe and Shaq were simply better players.

Final Result

Kobe And Shaq vs. Steph And Klay 5-4

Kobe And Shaq Were The Better Duo, Even With One Less Championship

The comparison between Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal and Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson is certainly a close one. While the final result shows Kobe and Shaq with a slight 5-4 advantage, it’s important to remember that these duos played in different eras, under different circumstances, and had varying playing styles.

Kobe and Shaq, during their time with the Los Angeles Lakers, achieved remarkable success with three NBA championships and an iconic three-peat. They were a dominant inside-outside pairing and left an indelible mark on the league’s history.

On the other hand, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, as part of the Golden State Warriors, revolutionized the game with their three-point shooting and fast-paced style of play. Their four championships and impact on modern basketball are equally noteworthy.

The categories are clear, however, as Kobe and Shaq were better defensively, had a greater impact, and were more efficient, thanks to their ability around the rim. Steph and Klay could certainly shoot better but were unable to affect other areas of the game, including defense and rebounding, like the Lakers duo could. In only eight years together, Kobe and Shaq were better than Steph and Klay in terms of Finals MVPs, All-NBA Selections, All-Defensive Selections, total win shares, and PER.

It is truly a shame that Kobe and Shaq did not play together for a longer period of time because they already have an advantage over an all-time great duo of Steph and Klay, and they might have won at least six championships together if their differences had been ironed out.