The Shaq vs. Rudy Gobert beef is officially on fire — again! And from what we can see, there’s no sign it’s cooling off anytime soon.
The Big Fella has never been shy about critiquing today’s big men, especially when he thinks they’re not living up to the standard he set back in his dominant NBA days. And while Shaq has patched things up with Dwight Howard — even offering to walk him into the Hall of Fame — it looks like Rudy Gobert won’t be getting that same courtesy.
In a recent episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq, the Diesel let it all hang out:
“I f—ing hate Rudy Gobert,” Shaq said. “He’s making $250 million and he doesn’t deserve it. As President of the Big Man Alliance, if you’re making big money, play like a big man. Throw some bows. Knock some people out. Don’t let little white dudes from Denver dunk on you.”
Yikes. That’s classic Shaq — unfiltered and swinging.
What set him off this time? A flashback to Gobert’s emotional reaction back in 2019 when he didn’t make the All-Star team, plus his massive five-year, $205 million contract extension. Shaq’s never been sold on Gobert’s value, and he keeps pointing to the fact that the French center — a four-time Defensive Player of the Year — doesn’t dominate in the paint like a true traditional big man.
Case in point: Earlier this year, 6’6” Christian Braun of the Nuggets dunked on Gobert and then bumped him afterward like he owned the place. Gobert reacted by grabbing Braun by the neck — not the best look for someone who’s supposed to be a defensive anchor. Both players got hit with technical fouls, but Gobert and the Timberwolves still walked away with the win.
And this isn’t an isolated incident. Gobert has been put on posters by guards like Jaylen Brown, Russell Westbrook, and DeMar DeRozan over the years. For Shaq, that’s unacceptable — especially if you’re cashing checks that say “franchise cornerstone.”
But in a surprising twist, Shaq recently (kind of) gave Rudy some credit. During the Timberwolves’ first-round playoff series against the Lakers, Gobert put up a monster 27-point, 24-rebound performance in the Game 5 clincher. And even Shaq had to tip his hat:
“Rudy Gobert is dominating. I’m happy for him,” he said.
Is that peace? Nah. More like a begrudging nod from the old-school general of the Big Man Army.
For now, Shaq’s message remains clear: If you want the respect, you’ve got to earn it — and stop letting guards fly over your head while you’re cashing $250 million checks.