Rudy Gobert responds to Shaq after he called him the worst NBA player of all time

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Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts during the second half of Game 3 of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Footprint Center on April 26, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Timberwolves defeated the Suns 126-109. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Rudy Gobert is tired of reading the rambling comments from former NBA players on social media, and he’s finally taking a stand.

Gobert was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year for the fourth time in his career last season and helped the Minnesota Timberwolves to their best regular-season record in 20 years. He also led the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in two decades.

So why all the hate?

Former NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal was asked who he thought was the worst player of all time. His answer: “Rudy Gobert. Ben Simmons is another bum.”

Gobert averaged 14 points, 12.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game in 76 regular-season games for the Timberwolves. His size and ability to defend at the rim forced opposing teams to change their offensive game plans. Did he stop every play? No, but he blocked and altered shots for one of the best defensive teams in the NBA.

Rudy’s answer

Gobert has taken stray shots from Shaq, Charles Barkley and even Draymond Green. He responded to Shaq on Thursday.

“It’s sad to see someone who has accomplished as much as you have, Shaq, in both sports and business, still be influenced by another man’s finances and accomplishments. I understand the entertainment side of things, but unlike some people, you don’t need that kind of stuff to stay relevant,” Gobert posted on social media.

Gobert’s teammates came to his defense during their playoff run earlier this summer, refusing to appear on TNT’s pre- and post-game shows due to unnecessary criticism from the panel, including Barkley and Green.

Money

Gobert was the centerpiece of a massive trade involving multiple draft picks and players with the Utah Jazz to bring him to Minnesota. He is set to make $43.8 million for the 2024-25 season and is under contract through 2026.

Shaq was more critical of Ben Simmons, who signed a five-year, $177 million contract and has played a total of 57 games over the past three seasons. He didn’t play at all in 2021-22 due to a back injury and back issues, played just 42 games in 2022-23 and just 15 last season. In two seasons with the Brooklyn Nets, Simmons has started just 45 games.

“Let me tell you why, if you sign a contract for $250, show me $250. There’s a reason I walk funny and I can’t turn my neck, because I played for my $120,” Shaq said. “So you got guys like him that fuck the system, make all this money and can’t play. Every time I make those comments, people think I’m hateful, but it’s facts.”

While he can argue against Simmons, shooting Gobert with stray bullets is unjustified. Gobert has had enough, and rightly so.