Shaq Calls Rudy Gobert the “Worst Player of All Time”

It’s no secret that Shaquille O’Neal and the TNT crew dislike Rudy Gobert. But the legendary big man has gone too far with his latest comments about Gobert.

Another day, another cheap shot from the TNT crew. If you thought Charles Barkley’s half-baked critique of the Timberwolves was the last of it, buckle up because Shaquille O’Neal has decided to get in on the action, too. This time, the Diesel took aim at a favorite punching bag of his—Rudy Gobert.

Now, if you’ve been following along, you know Shaq has had it out for Gobert ever since the Frenchman signed that monster $205 million contract with the Utah Jazz back in December 2020. Whether it’s jealousy, misunderstanding, or just pure spite, Shaq seems to take great pleasure in dragging Gobert’s name through the mud at every opportunity. And after Gobert’s trade to the Timberwolves—a move that sent a treasure chest of first-round picks to Utah—those verbal jabs have only increased in frequency and intensity.

On Complex’s GOAT Talk podcast, Shaq joined his son, Myles O’Neal. Myles asked his father who the worst player in NBA history was, and without hesitation, Shaq replied, “Rudy Gobert.” For context: Myles followed up with a quick mention of Ben Simmons (another target of Shaq’s ire), to which Shaq gave the same “bum” label. You know, casual father-son banter. Myles even laughed it off and apologized to Gobert on the spot, but Shaq wasn’t done.

Shaq doubled down, taking another swing at Gobert’s big contract. “If you sign a contract for [$250 million], show me you’re 250. There’s a reason why I walk funny and why I can’t turn my neck and why I can’t do it because I played for my [$120 million]. So you got guys like him that f— the system over and they’re making all this money and they can’t f—ing play. So I don’t respect guys like that.”

Yes, you read that right. Shaq, a man who’s pocketed millions from basketball and even more from Hollywood and endorsement deals, is still salty that Gobert—who’s never claimed to be Shaq—is making big bucks in today’s NBA.

Gobert, to his credit, didn’t take the bait. Instead, he offered a calm and composed response, highlighting his respect for Shaq’s career while acknowledging that he found the constant ridicule a bit insulting. It was a classy move, especially in the face of what’s become a years-long campaign of public mockery.

But here’s the thing that really doesn’t make sense—why does Shaq, along with Barkley and TNT fill-in Draymond Green, seem to have it out for Rudy? To a degree, Draymond’s beef is somewhat understandable. The two big men have locked horns on the court and gone at it physically. But Shaq? Barkley? Neither of these guys has ever played a minute against Gobert, so what’s the deal? Are they jealous of his massive contract? Are they annoyed that he’s considered a defensive force in the modern NBA? Or is it just easy content for the TNT crew to clown on Rudy?

Look, it’s no secret that today’s NBA players are raking in cash that guys in the ‘90s could only dream about. But that’s not Rudy’s fault. TV deals are through the roof, fan engagement is at an all-time high, and the NBA’s revenues have skyrocketed. This is just the way the game works now. Yes, it might sting a little for guys like Shaq and Barkley to see some role players today earning way more than they did, but that’s no reason to go on an endless crusade against Gobert.

Shaq and Barkley’s constant bashing comes off as petty and mean-spirited. Gobert’s got flaws, sure. His offensive game isn’t going to wow you, and he’s had some tough moments in the playoffs, particularly during his Utah days. But they’re acting like the guy didn’t win four Defensive Player of the Year awards. That doesn’t happen by accident.

It’s not even just the talking heads on TNT who are riding the Rudy hate train. Dwight Howard recently tried to argue that Gobert isn’t even a good defender—he’s just big. That’s rich coming from Dwight, a guy whose entire career was based on being a physical freak. Guess what, Dwight? Everyone in the NBA is big. That’s part of the deal.

Here’s where it gets personal for Wolves fans: Since Gobert arrived in Minnesota, he’s been nothing short of a game-changer. I’ll admit, I didn’t watch him too closely when he was with the Jazz, but in Minnesota? It’s impossible to deny his impact. The Timberwolves’ defense is on another level with him on the floor, and he was crucial in shutting down Nikola Jokic during the Western Conference Semifinals. Would the Wolves even be in that position without him? No shot.

And yet, Shaq still wants to call Gobert “the worst player” and mock his contract. Let’s be clear: Gobert’s deal is massive, but he’s earning every penny of it. If anything, Timberwolves GM Tim Connelly deserves a medal for acquiring Rudy to create roster that can go toe-to-toe with the best in the West. Sure, the Wolves gave up a lot in the trade, but the results speak for themselves—this is a team transformed, from an afterthought to a title contender.

At the end of the day, Shaq’s beef with Rudy is just noise. We’ve seen this story play out before. The loudest voices on TNT love to dump on players who aren’t living up to their skewed expectations. But for Rudy, the best way to silence the haters is simple: keep winning. Keep locking down the paint, keep frustrating guys like Jokic, and keep proving his worth on the court.

As for Shaq? He can keep barking from the sidelines. His rings and his legacy are secure, but let’s not pretend he was a model player at all times during his career. Every player has their flaws, and Rudy’s no different. But what he brings to the Timberwolves is invaluable, and no amount of Shaq-fueled slander is going to change that.

So, yeah—let Shaq talk. Let Barkley pile on. The Wolves are built for success, and Rudy Gobert is a massive part of that. This season is going to be fun, and if the Wolves make another deep playoff run, you can bet we’ll be waiting to hear what excuses Shaq and the TNT crew come up with then. Maybe, just maybe, they’ll finally give Rudy the respect he’s earned. Until then, we’ve got bulletin board material for days. Let’s go, Wolves.