ESPN’s Tim Legler explains why Stephen Curry has an argument to be in the GOAT conversation.

San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after hitting a three-point shot against the Portland Trail Blazers during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images

Stephen Curry is one of the greatest players in NBA history, and ESPN’s Tim Legler believes you can make a case for him to be in the GOAT conversation.

When asked on Get Up about Shaquille O’Neal demanding that Curry be put in the conversation, Legler explained why that’s not a crazy statement.

“I don’t think it’s nuts because of the impact that Curry’s had,” Legler said. “Here’s what I’ll say about Steph Curry Greeny: No player in the history of this league or history of this sport has ever made defenses more accountable for their whereabouts every second.

“The amount of offense that Steph Curry has created without touching the basketball is really unparalleled in this league,” Legler continued.

“So for me, when you talk about impact on other players and making other players on your team better, add this into the stats and winning and everything else that he has done, I don’t think it’s crazy. He’s a revolutionary player.”

Legler personally believes that only Michael Jordan and LeBron James are in the conversation, with the former being his pick for the GOAT title. He doesn’t take issue with anyone else putting Curry in there, though, due to his incredible impact on games and the fact that he has quite an impressive resume.

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Curry has won four titles, a Finals MVP, two MVPs, and two scoring titles in his storied career with the Golden State Warriors. He has made 11 All-Star and 10 All-NBA teams and is widely regarded as the greatest shooter ever.

While all that is ever so impressive, it might still not be enough for Curry to be part of that conversation alongside Jordan and James. Their impact on the court was/is comparable to Curry’s, and they have far better resumes.

Jordan won six titles, six Finals MVPs, five MVPs, a DPOY, and 10 scoring titles in his career. James, meanwhile, has four titles, four MVPs, four Finals MVPs, a scoring title, and an assists title to his name.

He is also the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, and the longevity is unlike anything we’ve ever seen. So, as things stand, these two remain a tier above Curry.

Stephen Curry Shares His Only Reason To Keep Playing

For Curry to be part of that conversation, he needs to add to his resume, and that’s certainly what he’s hoping to do as well. Curry stated that wanting to win a fifth championship is the only reason he’s still playing.

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“Somebody asked me this summer, ‘What are you still playing for?’ [Number five] That’s the only thing you’re playing for,” said Curry. “I like where we’re at right now.

I think we have what it takes to do it. But I’m not fast-forwarding to saying, ‘Oh, we’re a championship team right now’ because we have another level to get to.”

For much of the first half of this 2024-25 season, it didn’t look like Curry had a shot at winning his fifth title this year. The Warriors were going nowhere, but they’ve been revitalized following the Jimmy Butler trade.

They’re 13-1 in the games Butler has played and look set to make a lot of noise in the postseason. The Warriors still aren’t the favorites for the title, but you always have a shot when Curry’s around.