Shaquille O’Neal is undoubtedly one of the greatest figures in NBA history. His accolades speak for themselves: a 2000 MVP award, four championships including the last three-peat in NBA history, three Finals MVPs, two scoring titles, and the honor of having his jersey retired by three different teams (Lakers, Heat, and Magic). Beyond the court, Shaq has continued to make his mark. He has released four rap albums, is an electronic music producer and touring DJ known as Diesel, hosts TNT’s “Inside the NBA,” and holds the record for the highest bill in Walmart history. Shaq has truly capitalized on the fame that his successful NBA career brought him.
Shaquille O’Neal vs Rudy Gobert
Among the many trophies Shaq collected during his NBA career, one that eluded him was the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award. Rudy Gobert, the current holder of this title, has won it four times, tying the record for the most in NBA history with Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace. However, Shaq doesn’t seem to be a fan of Gobert’s game. In the latest episode of “GOAT TALK” with his son Myles O’Neal, Shaq called Gobert the “WOAT” (Worst of All Time) without hesitation. Despite Gobert’s DPOY titles, Shaq criticizes his offensive limitations and suggests that opposing centers don’t find him challenging to play against. Shaq also commented on the disparity in salaries, particularly Gobert’s earnings, though it’s unclear why this concerns him, as it doesn’t affect him directly and many other sports athletes win that kind of money.
A clear example of Gobert’s limitations was evident during the Olympic Games, where he was notably absent in key elimination matches, completely sidelined by the coach. While I don’t entirely agree with Shaq’s harsh assessment, his points about Gobert’s weaknesses are valid. Gobert’s five-year, $205 million contract, which runs through 2026, has been a topic of controversy, especially considering the blockbuster trade from the Jazz to the Timberwolves two years ago, which involved five players and over 10 draft picks-a unique move at the time.
Gobert and the Timberwolves
Last season, the Minnesota Timberwolves finished third in the Western Conference and were eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks in the conference finals. It was their best season in nearly 20 years, as they won more than 50 games for the first time since 2004. This year, they have kept their core intact, with Anthony Edwards leading the way and the twin towers of Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert anchoring the team. Minnesota boasted the best defense, led by DPOY Gobert, who, in 166 games with the Timberwolves, has averaged over 13 points and 12 rebounds per game.