Shaquille O’Neal is known for never holding back when sharing his opinions on the NBA, past or present, and his latest target was Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert. In a rather shocking and exaggerated claim, the Hall of Famer recently labeled Gobert the “worst NBA player of all time.” Unsurprisingly, Gobert didn’t take this criticism lightly and decided to fire back.
Rudy Gobert entered the NBA in 2013 as the 27th overall pick in the draft. It took some time for the 7’1″ Frenchman to find his stride, but he eventually established himself as one of the league’s premier defensive players. Over the course of his career, Gobert has racked up accolades, becoming a three-time NBA All-Star and a four-time Defensive Player of the Year. His defensive abilities, particularly his shot-blocking and rim protection, earned him a massive five-year, $205 million contract in 2020—one of the biggest deals ever signed by a center.
Despite his impressive résumé, Gobert has long been a polarizing figure in the NBA. Critics have often labeled him overpaid and overrated. Earlier this year, Gobert’s peers anonymously voted him the most overrated player in the league in a poll, showing that his detractors extend beyond just fans and analysts. Shaq has been one of Gobert’s most vocal critics over the years, often questioning his value on the court.
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In a recent interview, Shaq took his criticism of Gobert to an extreme, not only reiterating that he thinks Gobert is overrated but going as far as to claim that Gobert is the worst NBA player he’s ever seen. The outlandish comment sparked immediate controversy, especially when Shaq contradicted himself later by mentioning Ben Simmons as another candidate for that dubious title.
When the clip of Shaq’s comments began circulating online, Gobert didn’t remain silent. Taking to Twitter, the French big man clapped back at O’Neal, calling him “triggered” and implying that Shaq’s remarks were designed more to stir up attention than to offer genuine critique.
“Some people get triggered easily, I guess,” Gobert tweeted, adding a subtle jab at Shaq’s penchant for making headline-grabbing statements.
While Shaq is known for his larger-than-life personality and hyperbolic opinions, this particular comment was difficult to justify, especially considering Gobert’s track record as one of the NBA’s best defensive players. Many fans and analysts quickly jumped to Gobert’s defense, pointing out that no player with Gobert’s accolades could reasonably be called the worst in the league’s history. His elite shot-blocking, rebounding, and defensive metrics have made him a cornerstone for teams like the Utah Jazz and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Gobert’s ability to handle criticism, especially from a legend like Shaquille O’Neal, shows a level of composure and confidence that many other players might struggle with. While he’s no stranger to being called overrated, being labeled the worst NBA player ever was certainly a new level of absurdity.
This exchange between Shaq and Gobert underscores a larger conversation in the NBA about how past legends critique current players. While Shaq, as one of the greatest centers of all time, has earned his right to comment on the game, some argue that his critiques are often unfairly harsh and rooted in a different era of basketball.
In the end, the debate over Gobert’s value will continue, but it’s clear that labeling him as the “worst” is far from accurate. With four Defensive Player of the Year awards and numerous All-Star appearances under his belt, Gobert remains one of the league’s most impactful players, even if he hasn’t always won over everyone, including Shaq.
As Gobert continues to thrive in the NBA, it’s likely he’ll keep hearing critiques from both fans and former players. But as this exchange shows, he’s more than capable of standing his ground when necessary.
