"If I were 42, I'd be making Rudy Gobert money. 12 points and 8 rebounds? I could do that sh*t right now... Making $250 million, goddam. Averaging 12 points!” Shaq says he could put up Rudy Gobert numbers right now 🗣️ (via @bigpodwithshaq)
Shaquille O'Neal's brutal slam on Rudy Gobert: "I never thought he was a great defensive player"
NBAThursday, 14 March 2024 at 12:00
In the world of basketball, opinions and debates are commonplace, but rarely has a criticism been as blunt as the one launched by Shaquille O'Neal towards Rudy Gobert, the Minnesota Timberwolves' star center. In a recent interview, Shaq spared no disdain when discussing Gobert's defensive play, which has generated tremendous disrespect for the All-Star player.
"I never thought he was a great defensive player," said O'Neal, a four-time NBA champion. "Look, the thing about him is there's not a lot of centers that make him play defense. He doesn't do that crap against the Joker..... He's 6-foot-6, of course, if you put it on him, he's going to block it. But defense to me is guarding that guy and shutting him down. you want to impress me? Hold Joker under 15 points."
The criticism didn't stop there. Shaq challenged Gobert's performance and questioned his ability to consistently make a difference on the court. "If I was 42 years old, I'd be making money for Rudy Gobert," he sneered. "Twelve points and eight rebounds? I could do that shit right now ... Making $250 million ... averaging 12 points."
These words from Shaquille O'Neal have ignited controversy and reignited the debate over Rudy Gobert's role in the NBA and his worth as an elite defender. While Gobert has been repeatedly hailed as one of the league's best defenders, Shaq's comments raise questions about his effectiveness against star players like Nikola Jokic, the reigning NBA Finals MVP.
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