“Basketball changed but I’m like, you ruined the version I liked,” this was a statement from a former baller, who faced defeat at the hands of Stephen Curry. It was none other than Iman Shumpert, who bit the dust thrice alongside LeBron James in the NBA Finals. Almost a decade later, the 34-year-old turned into a cordial foe, as he dropped the hammer on the Akron Hammer and gave an intriguing perspective to Steph’s beloved admirer, Shaquille O’Neal. Will the course alter?

It’s always great to watch the game when you are on Steph’s side, but it’s not the same when you’re on the other side – even as a player or a fan. The reigning Clutch Player of the Year has sunk many hearts in the last few years and Shumpert definitely has kept receipts, especially as someone who guarded him. And, Shaq didn’t hesitate to dig them out and exposed him to new perspectives.

In the recent episode of The Big Podcast, Shaq listed the Trail Blazers’ embarrassing 4-42 FG from the three-point range. Later, he asked Iman Shumpert whether he still stuck to his old statement, blaming Stephen Curry for ruining the game, hinting at the number of three-pointers taken. The former NBA Champion said, “I got crucified for this question already. Has Steph ruined the game? ‘Cause I also was asked this, and I said the person that ruined all of this was Bron.” That was a big U-turn!

“Bron made it okay for people to team up. It stopped making the star player have to come back with something added to their game… The man went to Miami instead of come back and defend it there. So, it was like now everybody thinking, ‘It’s cool y’all could team up. So, now you create the three-headed snake out of Steph Curry.” 

We know the rest of the story. Curry created a downtown spectacle. This would indeed increase Shaq’s love for Curry. But can Shumpert alter it? Let’s find out.

Shaq asks Shumpert if Stephen Curry is GOAT 

Almost 16 minutes after Shumpert checked Steph as innocent, Shaq posed an important question: “Can we start including Steph Curry in the greatest of all time?” Notably, Shaq has gone on Live TV and called Steph, the GOAT multiple times in the past. Will his love be tested now?

So, responding to Shaq, Shumpert said, “Technically, yes. Personally, no.” Then, he described how it felt like guarding him, especially during the close-out minutes. “He just dangerous,” said Shumpert, comparing him to Paul Pierce.

However, Shumpert dropped a way to stop Curry, saying, “He uses a lot of stuff like get open, like you going around screens, if you could switch and do enough and not let him get the ball you might make it out okay.” On the other hand, the big man, who listened to it carefully, said, “I never thought about it like that,” hinting at the new idea that Shumpert planted in his head.

So, what does it mean? Does Shaq still considers Steph as GOAT? Or did Iman Shumpert further solidify Shaq’s love for the sharp shooter? Let us know in the comments below.