Shaquille O'Neal Expresses Hatred for Rudy Gobert Over Contract, Performance

Shaquille O'Neal has publicly expressed intense disdain for Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, criticizing him for not deserving his lucrative contract and questioning his place in the NBA Hall of Fame. On his podcast, O'Neal called Gobert out for failing to live up to the physical and competitive standards he expects from a highly paid big man, referencing incidents such as Gobert's reaction to a dunk by Denver's Christian Braun. Despite Gobert being a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and a three-time All-Star with strong career averages, Shaq labeled him as one of the worst players, a claim Gobert has dismissed as attempts to stay relevant. O'Neal’s harsh critique included a challenge that if Gobert makes the Hall of Fame, he would wear a dress to the ceremony, symbolizing his disbelief. This feud reflects Shaq’s broader history of vocal rivalries with other big men in the NBA and his role as a media analyst unafraid to share blunt opinions on modern players. Gobert, meanwhile, has maintained his accomplishments on the court despite O'Neal's continuing disparagements.