Shaquille O’Neal admits he really hates Rudy Gobert: “Don’t let little white dudes from Denver dunk on you” initially appeared on Basketball Community.
The continuing feud between Shaquille O’Neal and Rudy Gobert is now public data. The first matters of battle have centered on the definition of an enormous man and undeserving contract extensions. Contemplating the common backwards and forwards, issues are solely prone to get uglier.
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O’Neal has typically been vital of sure massive males, with probably the most outstanding instance being Dwight Howard prior to now. Nonetheless, the 2 appeared to have buried the hatchet, with Shaq agreeing to stroll the Orlando Magic’s all-time main scorer into the Corridor of Fame.
Whereas he mended his fences with Howard, it does not look like the identical factor will occur with Gobert. All of it started when O’Neal advised the seven-footer to “man up,” who publicly broke down for not making the All-Star in 2019. To not point out his doubts concerning the five-year, $205M contract extension.
In a current episode of The Massive Podcast with Shaq, the Massive Diesel defined his hatred for Gobert. He additionally had the Morris twins on the panel.
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“I f—ing hate Rudy Gobert. He’s making 250M and he does not deserve it. Because the President of the Massive Man Alliance, you making massive cash, play like an enormous man. That is it. Throw some bows. Knock some folks out. Do not be little white dudes from Denver dunk on you and discuss to you. You then received to seize them by the neck on the final second. If you happen to going to receives a commission massive cash, play massive,” stated O’Neal, who felt the four-time DPOY didn’t need to be within the Corridor of Fame.
Gobert getting posterized
Standing at 7’1″, it could be laborious to fathom Gobert being placed on a poster. Nonetheless, the large Frenchman did have a few of these moments all through his profession. One such incident that garnered important consideration concerned Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun throwing down a two-handed slam.
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Overrated, the 6’6″ guard was seen bumping his shoulder into Gobert’s chest, who in flip caught him by the neck and swung him sideways. Consequently, each gamers obtained double technical fouls. Nonetheless, Gobert and the Wolves in the end prevailed with the win.
Through the years, Gobert has been criticized for his perceived lack of toughness as an enormous man. Fueling this narrative additional are episodes of him being posterized by guards similar to Jaylen Brown, Russell Westbrook, and DeMar DeRozan. Not the very best search for a four-time DPOY.
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A uncommon second when Shaq gave his flowers
The Timberwolves had a powerful begin to the 2025 playoffs, sending the Lakers house within the first spherical. Happening the street, Gobert surprised the crowds on the Crypto Area, dropping 27 factors and 24 rebounds in a series-clinching Recreation 5. He was a extremely environment friendly 80 p.c from the sector. Nonetheless, the largest shock was but to return, with O’Neal saying the next:
“Rudy Gobert is dominating, I am completely happy for him.”
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A troublesome tablet to swallow for O’Neal, who did give the Wolves massive man his due. Nonetheless, this didn’t in any approach suggest that the four-time champion had mended his fences with Gobert. It looks as if the 33-year-old nonetheless has loads to do earlier than getting the stamp of approval from the President of the Massive Man Alliance.
This story was initially reported by Basketball Community on Jul 24, 2025, the place it first appeared.