Rudy Gobert has his fair share of detractors. This is despite him being one of just three players to be named Defensive Player of the Year four times, a side of the court that he is still elite on.
One who often has disparaging things to say about him is Draymond Green, who of course is still an active player with the Golden State Warriors. Another is Shaquille O’Neal.
Working on ABC during Sunday’s doubleheader, Shaq said this after the Minnesota Timberwolves' victory over the Denver Nuggets: “I like DiVincenzo. I’m gonna take it out on soft a*s Rudy Gobert.”
This another instance where The Diesel decides to take a potshot at The Stifle Tower.
Shaq has never been a fan of Gobert
Before Gobert, Dwight Howard was Shaq’s main victim. It stemmed from people starting to refer to Dwight as Superman, a moniker that O’Neal had throughout his playing career. Eventually, both sides decided to end the feud, but I’m not sure that day is coming with Rudy anytime soon.
In late July of last year, O’Neal spoke with Marcus and Markieff Morris on Shaq’s The Big Podcast. Out of nowhere, Shaq brought up Gobert’s name and brought up how he doesn’t like him because he makes so much money but doesn’t deserve it.
Shaq later said while holding up a picture of Charles Barkley in a dress,
“If Rudy Gobert gets into the Hall of Fame, I’ll wear this dress to the motherfu**ing ceremony. If he gets in, take me out [of the Hall of Fame]."
I hate to break it to you Shaq, but Gobert will be getting in after his playing career is over.
Back in 2024, Shaq went on Complex to talk with his son Myles and declared Gobert to bethe worst NBA player of all-time. This prompted Gobert to respond on X.
It is sad to see someone that has accomplished as much as you did @SHAQ both in sport and business still be triggered by another man’s finances and accomplishments. I get the entertainment part but unlike other folks, you don’t need that stuff to stay relevant. https://t.co/KPHs2VmfIb
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) September 5, 2024
Shaq's continued shots at Gobert are a bad look for him
These are definitely two of the more notable times that O’Neal took a shot at Gobert, but certainly not the only ones. Most of the things Shaq brings up when he says something negative about Rudy revolve around his contract, not producing much offensively, getting traded to Minnesota with way too much sent back to the Utah Jazz, or not playing as a big man should (at least according to him).
Meanwhile, Shaq’s latest brief dig at Gobert comes after a game in which he secured 15 rebounds. No, he didn’t shut down Nikola Jokic, but nobody in the world is doing that. There are other players that are clearly more overpaid than Rudy, but he is the one that Shaq has continued to target. Frankly, continuing to do so on such a large platform is unprofessional.
Gobert has more important things to worry about, such as helping the Timberwolves go on their third consecutive long run in the postseason.