Rudy Gobert Responds to Shaquille O'Neal Calling Him the Worst NBA Player of All Time: 'Sad to See'

Mar. 15, 2025

Rudy Gobert, Shaquille O’Neal.Photo:David Berding/Getty; Arturo Holmes/Getty

Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves poses for a portrait during media day at Target Center on September 28, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Shaquille O’Neal attends the 44th Annual Sports Emmy Awards at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center on May 22, 2023 in New York City

David Berding/Getty; Arturo Holmes/Getty

Days after NBA legendShaquille O’NealcrownedRudy Gobertas the worst NBA player of all time, the Minnesota Timberwolves star responded — and he didn’t hold back.

O’Neal had called out Gobert, claiming that the Minnesota Timberwolves player doesn’t live up to his large contract.

Gobert continued, adding “I get the entertainment part but unlike other folks, you don’t need that stuff to stay relevant.”

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Rudy Gobert during a game against the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter at Target Center on November 01, 2023.David Berding/Getty

Rudy Gobert during a game against the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter at Target Center on November 01, 2023.

David Berding/Getty

O’Neal elaborated on his stance, saying “No, because you know why? If you sign a contract for $250 [million], show me $250. There’s a reason why I walk funny, why I can’t turn my neck. Because I played for my $120 [million]. You got guys like him that f— the system over. They’re making all this money and they can’t f—ing play. I don’t respect guys like that.”

Shaquille O’Neal.Focus on Sport/Getty Images

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Gobert is currently signed to a five-year, $205 million deal with the Timberwolves set to expire at the conclusion of the 2025-26 NBA season, perSports Illustrated.

source: people.com