Stephen Curry FINALLY Reveals 5 NBA Legends Who Publicly Disrespected Him

For years, the basketball world has debated the definition of greatness, especially when it comes to point guards.

Stephen Curry, the “baby-faced assassin,” has often found himself at the center of this debate.

While he has shattered records and led the Golden State Warriors to multiple championships, there have been notable figures who have publicly disrespected him.

In his 2025 memoir, “Shot Ready,” Curry finally names names, calling out five NBA legends who doubted him: Mario Chalmers, Tracy McGrady, Iman Shumpert, Isaiah Thomas, and Shaquille O’Neal.

These aren’t just random critics; they are former champions and Hall of Famers who have spent years moving the goalposts every time Curry cleared them.

To understand why these five legends have taken aim at Curry, we need to delve into what he represents in the evolution of basketball.

For generations, greatness in the NBA was synonymous with size, power, and physical dominance.

Legends like Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, and LeBron James defined what it meant to be great.

Then came Curry, a 6’2″ guard with a reputation for bad ankles and an unconventional style.

He didn’t play above the rim or bully defenders; instead, he shot from distances that left coaches furious and defenders scrambling.

Curry didn’t just break records; he shattered the entire definition of basketball greatness, and that terrified the old guard.

When he became the most dominant player in the league, it threatened everything those legends had built their careers upon.

Let’s start with Mario Chalmers and what Curry refers to as the “little brother syndrome.”

In September 2025, Chalmers appeared on Iman Shumpert’s podcast, “No Limit,” and was asked to name his Mount Rushmore of point guards.

His list included Magic Johnson, Chris Paul, John Stockton, and Jason Kidd, but notably excluded Curry.

Chalmers justified this by drawing a hard line between scoring and playing the traditional point guard role, stating that the players he named were “real point guards” because they distributed the ball and ran the offense in a conventional manner.

In a direct acknowledgment, he said, “Steph, you beat me that year,” highlighting that while he recognized Curry’s success, he still attempted to control the narrative around what it means to be a point guard.

Chalmers spent his career as a game manager for LeBron James, focusing on defense and hitting open shots.

He struggles to accept that Curry is the offense, creating opportunities for his teammates with his mere presence on the court.

Chalmers’ mindset reflects a deep-seated insecurity, as he tries to gatekeep the point guard position to maintain relevance in a changing game.

Next up is Tracy McGrady, who has consistently criticized Curry for what he calls the “carry job myth.”

Throughout 2024 and 2025, McGrady has publicly stated that he cannot place Curry among the top players of all time because, in his view, Curry cannot carry a team by himself.

McGrady’s argument hinges on the idea that true greatness comes from putting up impressive numbers on a bad team through individual will.

He famously posed a hypothetical: if Curry played for a dysfunctional franchise like the Charlotte Hornets, would he still be considered a top player?

McGrady concluded, “No. It’s just luck, man.”

This perspective is revealing.

While McGrady spent his prime putting up massive stats on mediocre teams, he views his own circumstances as tragic, while dismissing Curry’s success as mere luck.

Curry’s 2020-2021 season was pivotal.

With Klay Thompson injured and a roster filled with G-League talent, Curry averaged 32 points per game, winning the scoring title and nearly dragging his team to the playoffs.

Yet, McGrady still sees this as evidence that Curry cannot carry a team, despite the numbers showing otherwise.

Curry addresses this in “Shot Ready,” arguing that true leadership is not just about individual statistics but about building a culture that prevents a team from becoming dysfunctional in the first place.

McGrady’s refusal to acknowledge Curry’s contributions stems from a fear of admitting that his own style of play may have been outdated.

Now let’s discuss Iman Shumpert, who prioritizes aesthetics over results.

In late 2025, Shumpert made headlines by excluding Curry from his all-time starting lineup, opting for players like LeBron James and Michael Jordan instead.

When asked about Curry’s place in the GOAT conversation, Shumpert said, “Technically, yes. Personally, no.”

This split is telling.

While Shumpert admits Curry’s statistical achievements, he struggles to reconcile Curry’s joyful demeanor with what he perceives as the seriousness of greatness.

Shumpert’s preference for physical dominance clouds his judgment, as he overlooks the mental exhaustion that comes with guarding Curry.

In “Shot Ready,” Curry discusses the nature of fear in basketball, noting that his ability to make opponents anxious without physical contact is a form of dominance in itself.

Shumpert’s rejection of Curry reflects a deeper resistance to change in the game.

Next, we have Isaiah Thomas, a notable gatekeeper who has shifted his stance over the years.

For a long time, Thomas was one of Curry’s most vocal critics, arguing that jump shooting teams couldn’t win championships.

He often emphasized the physicality of the 1980s, suggesting that Curry’s slender frame would never have survived that era.

However, in January 2026, Thomas surprised everyone by offering unqualified praise for Curry, stating, “He is everything we always wanted our players to represent.”

This shift can be attributed to three factors: Curry’s longevity, his status as a spiritual successor for small guards, and the undeniable evidence of his success.

Thomas recognized that denying Curry’s greatness would damage his own credibility, leading to a moment of poetic justice where one of Curry’s harshest critics finally conceded.

Finally, we arrive at Shaquille O’Neal, whose relationship with Curry highlights the friction between traditional and modern definitions of dominance.

For much of Curry’s career, Shaq viewed basketball through a lens of physicality, believing that true dominance required overpowering opponents.

However, as Curry’s success grew, Shaq’s criteria for greatness kept changing.

From attributing Curry’s success to luck and injuries in the league to questioning his role on super teams, Shaq’s skepticism reflected a desire to protect the old definition of greatness.

But even Shaq had to concede after Curry’s dominant performance in the 2022 Finals, admitting, “I used to hate on him, but he proved me wrong.”

Curry’s evolution from being dismissed to being recognized as one of the greatest is a testament to how the game has changed.

So, why did Curry finally decide to reveal all of this in “Shot Ready”?

For 15 years, he maintained a polished public persona, letting his game speak for itself.

But by naming names and confronting his critics, Curry marks a strategic shift in his narrative.

He is no longer turning the other cheek; he is checking the receipts.

Each critique has fueled his growth, motivating him to prove doubters wrong and redefine what it means to be dominant in the NBA.

The friction between Curry and these five legends isn’t just a collection of hot takes—it’s the sound of a sport evolving in real time.

Curry’s journey is not just about personal achievement; it’s about the transformation of basketball itself.

By overcoming the skepticism of legends, he has not only solidified his legacy but also ushered in a new era of the game.

In the end, when the game changed, it wasn’t just Curry who won; it was basketball itself that emerged victorious.