The conversation for the best player in the world is often one of the most heated in the world of basketball. For many years, people could just name LeBron James and not necessarily be incorrect as LBJ always had an argument to be the absolute best in the NBA. With LeBron aging and his team struggling, it seems the top spot has been open for the last 2 seasons.
Nikola Jokic has won consecutive MVPs but doesn’t find his name in the best player conversation often. One of the most common names used is Giannis Antetokounmpo, even though he is not comfortable with being called that. Others like Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, LeBron, and even Luka Doncic come into the conversation occasionally.
According to Shaquille O’Neal on ‘The Big Podcast’, none of those names come close to the man he believes is the best in the world, Stephen Curry. Curry is the reigning Finals MVP after clinching his 4th championship with the Warriors, an incredible feat in the modern era.
“Nobody’s going to beat the best player in the world, Steph Curry,”
“Yeah, by far,” O’Neal said of Curry being the best player in the world. “Hell yeah. As Kenny [Smith] would tell you, you can have a category, but the real ones are recognized by the championships that you have. Nobody plays better than Steph Curry. He’s a tough shot-taker, tough shot-maker. I like where he’s brought his career.” (h/t Lakers Daily)
Curry is easily the best offensive player in the league, and he has shown over the 2022 Playoffs that his offensive impact is far greater than what he gets credit for. It makes up for any deficiencies he has defensively, an aspect of the game he has gotten much better at over the last few seasons.
Steph will have many people coming for the crown on his head after their title run last year. However, Curry has worn the crown before and fought off people from taking championships from him. He is sure to put up the best possible fight next season.
