Shaq calls Rudy Gobert ‘worst NBA player of all time,’ Gobert calls take ‘sad’

Chicago Bulls v Minnesota Timberwolves

The Rudy Gobert hate has gotten out of control.

Shaquille O’Neal is a proud member of the “get off my lawn” generation of older players who don’t like the way the NBA game has evolved, and he has been quick to hate on the game’s current best big men (he’s already started the stupid “Victor Wembanyama doesn’t play inside enough” BS). Shaq’s favorite target has long been Rudy Gobert, and this week, during a question-and-answer session through Complex (which his son posted), Shaq took it to another level:

When asked who the worst NBA player of all time is, Shaq said “Rudy Gobert” without hesitating.

“If you sign a contract for $250 million show me $250 million. There’s a reason why I walk funny, why I can’t turn my neck and why I can’t do it. Because I played for about $120 million. You got guys like him who f*** the system over. They’re making all this money and they can’t f****** play. So, I don’t respect guys like that.”

Gobert responded, essentially asking why Shaq gets so hung up on someone else’s money?

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

The Gobert hate — from Shaq, other players and some fans — is just tired.

Gobert is a deserving Hall of Fame player. Minnesota had the best defense in the NBA last season, does anyone think that’s the case if Karl-Anthony Towns is anchoring the paint instead of Gobert? He’s the best rim defender of a generation, and he’s more mobile and better on the perimeter than his critics like to admit. A lot is made of this playoff Luka Doncic game-winner over Gobert (and Doncic’s trash talk afterward) but Gobert forced Doncic to a shot he doesn’t prefer, a step back to the right, and give Doncic credit he hit it. Good offense beat good defense.

Doncic’s trash talk is a reminder of how much many of his peers just don’t like Gobert — but part of that…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/shaq-calls-rudy-gobert-worst-155414586.html

Author : NBC Sports

Publish date : 2024-09-06 15:54:14

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