“I’ll be there. That’s my guy,” the Big Aristotle said as he ended his longtime feud with Dwight Howard by agreeing to join him as a presenter for his Hall of Fame event. As it turns out, the two never had any serious issues to begin with. The Big Diesel revealed that all the criticism he hurled toward Howard was only meant to motivate him. Shaquille O’Neal opened up about it to D-12 on The Big Podcast and even apologized to his parents. Is this the same for the Frenchman whom he has criticized harshly in the last few years? It takes an interesting turn as O’Neal changes his tune (not so willingly).

Shaq’s criticism of Timberwolves star Rudy Gobert is well known. Despite the Frenchman boasting four Defensive Player of the Year awards, the Big Aristotle has had issues with his playing style as a center. He seemingly wanted him to be more efficient on the offensive end. He has often brought up Gobert’s contract in conversations. Last year, Gobert signed a three-year extension worth $110 million with the Timberwolves.

Shaquille O’Neal’s commentary style is often characterized by a mix of playful jabs and pointed critiques, particularly towards fellow NBA big men. While he frames his criticism as motivational, it frequently involves direct comparisons to his own dominant career, which can come across as harsh or dismissive to some players.

However, after the Lakers vs. Timberwolves Game 5, O’Neal had something unexpected to say. The 3x NBA All-Star was dominant against the Lakers. While Shaq often trolls Gobert, he also didn’t hesitate to praise the star. Although he did it in his own style. “I never thought I would say these words coming out of my mouth. But, Rudy Gobert is dominating. I’m happy for him. Me and Chuck always say Minnesota needs to take him out because they don’t use him offensively… I hate to say it, but Rudy Gobert is dominating,” he said at halftime.

As he said those words, Shaq pretended to fake retching. Not so surprising, but it seems O’Neal was indeed thrilled to see Gobert’s performance. This controversy between the two has been ongoing for a long time. 

Rudy Gobert’s impact on the game is undeniable, primarily anchored in his exceptional defensive prowess. His towering presence, shot-blocking ability, and mastery of defensive positioning have earned him multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards. These accolades validate his significant contribution to his team’s success, even if his offensive game isn’t as dominant.

It likely elevated back in last year when O’Neal called the Frenchman the “worst” player of all time. He even went as far as to claim that Gobert isn’t worth the money he has made during his 10-year NBA career and questioned his $250 million deal with the Jazz. The Frenchman was quick to respond. 

Shaquille O’Neal explains the reason behind criticising Rudy Gobert 

The Frenchman said that while has massive admiration for O’Neal, he added that the NBA legend was “triggered” by another player’s finances and accomplishments. He even added that the Lakers legend is doing that to stay “relevant”.

Speaking on an episode of The OGs Podcast with Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller, O’Neal dished out the reason behind his criticism of the Minnesota Timberwolves star. He explained that he is only stating the facts, and while it may come out the wrong way, it is only to motivate him.

“A lot of these big men, when I put out these challenges, they fail the test because they respond. They’re sensitive. When I speak, I try to speak from facts. It may come out wrong and you may think I’m hating. His comment, ‘you’re trying to stay relevant,’ I got 15 commercials. What the f*** you talking about?” Shaq told his former teammate Haslem.

He added, “I’m not triggered by your finances or accomplishments. And, if you’re talking about your accomplishments of those little trophies you got, that’s not enough. When you’re making ($)250 (million), young man, that’s not enough,” 

Both Haslem and O’Neal urged Gobert to step up his game, win a championship, and prove them wrong. He is doing it. In Game 5, he gave the Lakers a tough time as he scored 15 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and blocked one shot in the first half. He was efficient, making 7 of his 10 shots. The Los Angeles Lakers legend was excited by his offensive dominance. While Gobert is yet to win a championship, he has been putting up some monstrous games.

The dynamic between Shaquille O’Neal and Rudy Gobert reflects an ongoing narrative in sports, where legendary figures often use their platforms to critique and challenge the next generation. Whether intended as motivation or not, these interactions add an intriguing layer to the league’s storylines, fueling discussions about player performance and potential.