Since signing his massive five-year, $205 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Rudy Gobert has been a frequent target of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal. The former Lakers star never misses a chance to mock or take a dig at Gobert.
Recently, in an interview with Complex, the former star was asked to name the worst NBA player of all time. Without hesitation, Shaq named Gobert, followed closely by Ben Simmons.
The reason for Shaq’s harsh criticism is tied to the hefty contracts both players signed compared to their on-court performance. Shaq didn’t hold back in explaining his stance.
“And Ben Simmons is another bum. You know why? Because if you sign a contract for $250 million, show me $250 million. There’s a reason why I walk funny and I can’t turn my neck because I played for my $120. You got guys like him that f**k the system over there, making all this money, and they can’t f***ing play,” Shaq said.
NBA Fans React To Shaquille O’Neal’s Bold Take on Rudy Gobert
Regarding the ongoing feud between Shaquille O’Neal and Rudy Gobert, NBA fans are quick to join in on the banter. Whenever Shaq throws a jab at Gobert, fans eagerly share their opinions in comment sections, often finding entertainment in the back-and-forth. After Shaq’s most recent dig at the Minnesota Timberwolves center, many fans agreed with the criticism, considering it a worthy take.
Gobert averaged 14 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists over 76 regular-season games last season, which has made him the center of debate. Despite these somewhat average numbers, he was named the Kia Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY), marking his fourth time winning the prestigious award.
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With this recognition, Gobert became the third player in NBA history to win the DPOY award four times. However, some fans feel that Gobert’s performance doesn’t justify his massive contract or the repeated honors he has earned.
Many agree with Shaq’s stance, believing that Gobert’s notable achievements don’t quite match up to the level of dominance expected from a player with such accolades. Fans who share Shaq’s views think his latest criticism of Gobert and Ben Simmons is perfectly justified, especially given the big man’s underwhelming impact compared to his salary and status.
Like Gobert, Simmons is also coming off a lackluster season despite his massive contract. Simmons averaged 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 5.7 assists over 15 regular-season games last season.
Also Read: Top 5 NBA Championship Victories: Ft. Dirk Nowitzki’s Dallas Mavericks And LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers.
