In the NBA, there have been dynasties built by great franchises as well as game-changing duos who elevated their teams to new heights. But when we talk about tandems that served as cornerstones of those dynasties, two stand above the rest: Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant with the Los Angeles Lakers, and Stephen Curry alongside Kevin Durant with the Golden State Warriors.
Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant sit near the very top of that conversation. Their dominance was unmatched, and O’Neal holds that partnership in such high regard that he took offense when Overtime asked him who would win a 2-on-2 in their primes against Curry and Durant.
“Stop it,” O’Neal said. “What are you doing?” When pressed on his reaction, the Hall of Famer made it clear that he believed neither Curry nor Durant could guard him. “Steph and KD vs. me and Kobe? Who the f*** is gonna guard me? Stop it. That’s the dumbest question I’ve ever heard in my life.”
It’s a fair point from O’Neal. He is widely considered the most dominant center in league history, and it’s hard to imagine Durant or Curry slowing him down in the paint. Simply put, the physical advantage would be overwhelming.
On the other hand, O’Neal would struggle to keep up with Durant and Curry defensively. While he was remarkably athletic for his size, even the NBA’s best perimeter defenders have difficulty containing those two scorers. That matchup imbalance would make the debate even more intriguing.
O’Neal and Bryant were teammates with the Lakers from 1996 to 2004. Together, they led Los Angeles to a historic three-peat between 2000 and 2002, a feat no franchise has replicated since. Their dominance cemented the Lakers as one of the greatest dynasties of the modern era.
During those Finals runs, O’Neal was at his absolute peak. He averaged 35.8 points, 15.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.7 steals, and 2.9 blocks per series. Those staggering numbers illustrate why he is remembered as the most dominant player of his generation. O’Neal himself has often argued that he and Bryant formed the most unstoppable duo in league history.
Meanwhile, Curry and Durant came close to pulling off a three-peat of their own with the Warriors. From 2016 to 2019, they reached the NBA Finals every season, winning back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018. Their run cemented Golden State’s place as one of the most feared teams in league history.
The Warriors fell short of a third straight championship in 2019, losing to the Toronto Raptors in six games. Durant was limited by injury and played only once in that series, which left Golden State undermanned. Had he been healthy, they might have matched the Lakers’ accomplishment.
In the end, there’s plenty to weigh when comparing these two tandems. O’Neal and Bryant have the edge in longevity and dominance, while Curry and Durant dazzled with efficiency and modern-era firepower. Either way, it’s a dream matchup fans would love to see, knowing the competitive fire and championship pedigree all four players brought to the court.