Shaquille O’Neal says Steph Curry is more influential than LeBron James

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James and Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry are two of the most influential players of their era.

Both players have won four titles in the NBA, and there was a four-season stretch, during James’ second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where they matched up in the NBA Finals in each season.

Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal revealed that he believes Curry is more influential than James because of how basketball is being played now.

“The LeBron and Steph is more influential – I think is part of the same,” O’Neal said. “LeBron was always there.”

O’Neal said that when Kobe Bryant was fading out, that’s when James really took off. The big man then gestured with his hands to show an upward climb resembling James’ rise.

“And then you got Steph Curry – actually I’m gonna go with Steph,” ONeal continued. “Curry is more influential because if you look at all f—— basketball, it’s being played like Golden State Warriors now.”

Curry has made more 3-pointers than any player in NBA history, and his shooting prowess has certainly impacted how the game is played at the highest level today.

In the 2014-15 season, when Curry won his first NBA MVP, only four teams (Golden State, Portland, Cleveland and Houston) attempted 27 or more shots from beyond the arc per game.

Now, in the 2024-25 season, every single team in the NBA is averaging over 32 shots per game from beyond the arc. The Denver Nuggets, who take the fewest amount of 3s per game, are averaging 32.1 attempts per night.

Curry and his former teammate Klay Thompson were two of the players at the forefront of the 3-point revolution in the NBA. Golden State won four NBA titles from the 2014-15 season through the 2021-22 season, showing that having a player like Curry leading the way can be a successful way to win.

Still, James’ influence on the NBA is massive as well. The Lakers star has been in the league for 22 seasons, and he’s led three different franchises (Los Angeles, Miami and Cleveland) to NBA titles.

It’s possible that James and Curry could meet in the playoffs in the 2024-25 season, as the Warriors and Lakers are both in the race for a top seed in the Western Conference. Golden State (the No. 5 seed) is one game back of the Lakers (the No. 4 seed) in the standings.