Shaquille O’Neal Takes Aim at Rudy Gobert: “You Can’t Let Little White Guys from Denver Dunk on You”
The ongoing feud between Shaquille O’Neal and Rudy Gobert has become one of the NBA’s most talked-about storylines. At the heart of their conflict lies a debate over what it truly means to be a dominant big man in today’s league, as well as questions regarding contract worthiness and on-court toughness. While Shaq has famously clashed with other centers in the past—most notably Dwight Howard—his criticisms of Gobert have taken a particularly personal tone, and the two show no signs of reconciling.
Shaq’s History of Critiquing Big Men
Shaquille O’Neal, a four-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer, has never shied away from critiquing fellow big men. His public feud with Dwight Howard once dominated headlines, but the two eventually found common ground, with Shaq even agreeing to walk Howard into the Hall of Fame as Orlando Magic’s all-time leading scorer. However, Shaq’s relationship with Rudy Gobert has been far less conciliatory.
The Roots of the Feud
The tension between O’Neal and Gobert first became public in 2019, when Shaq criticized Gobert for emotionally reacting to being snubbed from the All-Star team. O’Neal’s message was blunt: “Man up.” He also expressed skepticism over Gobert’s massive five-year, $205 million contract extension, questioning whether the French center had truly earned such a payday.
In a recent episode of “The Big Podcast with Shaq,” O’Neal made his feelings about Gobert crystal clear, especially with the Morris twins joining the discussion. “I f—ing hate Rudy Gobert. He is making $250 million and he doesn’t deserve it. As the President of the Big Man Alliance, you making big money, play like a big man. That’s it. Throw some bows. Knock some people out. Don’t let little white dudes from Denver dunk on you and talk to you. Then you got to grab them by the neck at the last second. If you going to get paid big money, play big,” Shaq said, making it clear he does not believe Gobert belongs in the Hall of Fame.
Questioning Gobert’s Toughness
Standing at 7’1″, Rudy Gobert is known for his defensive prowess, earning four NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards. Yet, critics—including Shaq—have questioned his toughness and ability to dominate physically. One incident that fueled this narrative occurred when Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, standing 6’6″, threw down a two-handed dunk over Gobert. Braun, pumped up, bumped into Gobert’s chest, leading to a brief altercation where Gobert grabbed Braun by the neck and swung him sideways. Both players received double technicals, though the Timberwolves ultimately won the game.
Gobert’s critics often point to other moments where he’s been posterized by guards, including Jaylen Brown, Russell Westbrook, and DeMar DeRozan. For some, these plays undermine his reputation as a dominant big man, despite his accolades.
Shaq’s Rare Praise
Despite his harsh words, Shaq has shown he can recognize Gobert’s achievements—at least occasionally. During the 2025 NBA playoffs, Gobert delivered a monster performance against the Los Angeles Lakers, helping the Timberwolves clinch the series in Game Five with 27 points and 24 rebounds on 80 percent shooting. Even Shaq couldn’t ignore the display, admitting, “Rudy Gobert is dominating, I’m happy for him.”
However, this rare moment of praise did not signal a truce. Shaq’s approval remains elusive, and he maintains that Gobert still has much to prove before he earns the respect of the self-proclaimed “President of the Big Man Alliance.”
“Rudy Gobert is dominating, I’m happy for him.”
The Verdict
The Shaq-Gobert feud highlights a generational divide in how big men are judged in the NBA. For Shaq, dominance is about more than stats or contracts—it’s about an attitude and physicality that he feels Gobert has yet to fully embody. While Gobert continues to rack up awards and deliver for his team, he remains, in Shaq’s eyes, a work in progress.
Whether Gobert will ever win over Shaq is uncertain. For now, the feud adds another fascinating layer to the ongoing evolution of the big man in professional basketball.
