Shaquille O’Neal continued his longstanding rivalry with Rudy Gobert during a recent episode of his “Big” podcast, where he invited his former teammate Udonis Haslem to discuss the matter. O’Neal asked Haslem how he would have dealt with Gobert if they had played on the same team, to which Haslem responded that O’Neal would have likely gotten physical with Gobert.
O’Neal clarified that his tough treatment of teammates was always about motivation rather than personal animosity, emphasizing that he pushed players to perform at a higher level.
Haslem backed O’Neal’s approach, explaining how O’Neal’s high expectations positively influenced him during their time together. He noted that the pressure O’Neal put on him helped him believe in himself and rise to meet those expectations.
Haslem described O’Neal’s tough love as beneficial, saying it motivated him to work harder and avoid disappointing his team. This dynamic between the two players underscored O’Neal’s belief in using criticism as a tool to inspire improvement.
O’Neal’s criticisms of Gobert have been fueled by frustration over the significant contracts given to modern NBA players, especially those he believes are not performing at a level that justifies such salaries.
He has repeatedly compared Gobert’s $250 million contract to the much smaller earnings of NBA legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Patrick Ewing, and Bill Russell, who, despite their greatness, earned far less. O’Neal has expressed the opinion that if a player is making such a high salary, they should deliver more on the court.
The feud between O’Neal and Gobert has been ongoing since 2021 when Gobert signed a $205 million contract with the Utah Jazz. O’Neal frequently mocked Gobert’s modest scoring, framing it as a lesson for young players who might think they cannot achieve success with low stats.
O’Neal even went as far as to claim that if they faced off, he would overpower Gobert in a matchup. Gobert responded by asserting that he could defensively contain O’Neal, adding more fuel to their public rivalry.
Most recently, after O’Neal labeled Gobert the worst player of all time, Gobert responded on social media. He expressed disappointment in O’Neal’s fixation on his accomplishments and financial success, suggesting that someone of O’Neal’s stature did not need to criticize others to remain relevant.
Gobert’s remarks reflected frustration with O’Neal’s ongoing jabs, which have now gone beyond basketball performance to personal digs regarding wealth and career achievements. The exchange highlights how their feud has evolved into something deeply personal.
