The ongoing feud between Rudy Gobert and Shaquille O’Neal has once again garnered attention, with Shaq taking another shot at the Minnesota Timberwolves center during a recent appearance on Complex’s “GOAT Talk” podcast. When asked by his son Myles O’Neal who the worst NBA player of all time was, Shaq did not hesitate to name Gobert. Not stopping there, Shaq also referred to Ben Simmons as a “bum”.
Shaq’s harsh criticism of Gobert and Simmons did not go unnoticed, as he went on to explain his reasoning behind his comments. The former NBA champion implied that players who sign lucrative contracts need to prove their worth on the court, pointing out that he played through injuries after signing a big contract himself. Shaq’s comments not only questioned Gobert’s abilities but also raised doubts about the big contracts that certain players receive.
Unsurprisingly, Gobert fired back at Shaq’s criticisms, making it clear that he is not backing down. This is not the first time that Shaq has targeted Gobert, particularly after the center signed a massive five-year, $205 million contract in 2020. Despite the ongoing criticism, Gobert has remained defiant and has even acknowledged that he is used to being targeted and ridiculed within the NBA community.
The feud between Gobert and Shaq has not only fueled controversy within the NBA but has also shed light on the differing opinions within the league regarding player salaries and performance. While Shaq’s comments may come off as harsh and unwarranted to some, they have sparked important conversations about the value of NBA players, especially those who receive lucrative contracts.
The ongoing feud between Rudy Gobert and Shaquille O’Neal continues to escalate, with both parties standing their ground and refusing to back down. As the exchange of criticisms and jabs continue, it remains to be seen whether there will be any resolution or if this feud will persist in the future.