Shaquille O'Neal once shared his views on social media, believing that among current NBA players, only four have reached a level where they no longer need to prove themselves. Durant, Harden, and Irving were not included in this list. Let's delve into the reasons behind this.
Leonard
In 2014, Leonard won the Finals MVP as a member of the Spurs, but many believed it was a victory for the Spurs system. However, in the 2019 playoffs, Leonard shattered all doubts with his actions. He led the Toronto Raptors through tough battles and ultimately defeated the then-invincible "Galaxy Warriors" in the Finals with an all-around performance averaging 28.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game, winning the FMVP again. This proved that he is not just a system player but also a superstar capable of leading a team to win championships alone.
James
As the face of the NBA in this era, James' career has been filled with glory. He has led his team to the finals 10 times, won 4 championships, 4 regular-season MVPs, 4 Finals MVPs, been selected to the All-NBA First Team 13 times, made 20 All-Star appearances, holds the record for most points in history, and achieved the "411" milestone. In the eyes of many media outlets and fans, James has nothing left to prove, as he is already a legend among active players.
Antetokounmpo
As the leader of the Bucks, Antetokounmpo not only led the team to win their first championship in half a century but also personally won multiple honors such as MVP, FMVP, and DPOY. Among the mid-career stars, Antetokounmpo is undoubtedly the best. It's worth noting that Antetokounmpo has just turned 30 and is at the peak of his career, with limitless possibilities ahead.
Curry
Known as the pioneer of the small-ball era, Curry revolutionized basketball with his precise three-point shooting. Despite being controversial for not winning an FMVP for a long time, he clinched his first FMVP trophy in the 2022 Finals. This not only freed him from the awkward situation of lacking an FMVP but also solidified his position as the top point guard of the 21st century.
In fact, if measured by personal achievements and historical status, Durant's two championships, two FMVPs, one MVP, four scoring titles, and six All-NBA First Team selections are certainly enough to make this list. However, many media outlets and fans believe that Durant's two championships were largely due to the "benefits" of the Warriors' luxurious lineup, as Green once said, "We were champions before you came." Embarrassingly, Durant has yet to lead his team to the Finals since leaving the Warriors, which has become a point of teasing by legends like O'Neal and Barkley.