Shaquille O’Neal, the NBA’s most notorious provocateur, has done it again. This time, Shaq’s hatred for Rudy Gobert has reached new heights, and the fallout has been nothing short of explosive. Known for his on-court dominance and off-court barbs, O’Neal’s recent comments have reignited his long-standing feud with fellow centers.
Shaq’s Hatred for Rudy Gobert: A Clash of Titans
In a move that many saw as a cheap shot, O’Neal posted an image on his Instagram stories suggesting that Gobert would be working at Walmart if not for his towering 7-foot-1 frame. The backlash was swift and severe. Fans were outraged, and O’Neal was forced to scramble for damage control, insisting his post was merely a joke and not a jab at Gobert’s skills.
On his podcast, “The Big Podcast with Shaq,” the four-time NBA champion elaborated, “Let me break down my social media strategy. 60% of it is for laughs, 30% is to inspire, and 10% is about selling stuff. So, if I post something, don’t automatically think it’s an attack. I’m not targeting Rudy Gobert!”
But was this really just a harmless prank? Shaq’s history suggests otherwise. His disdain for Gobert isn’t a new development. The former Lakers legend’s irritation seems to stem from a mix of Gobert’s financial success and his own struggles with the changing landscape of NBA salaries.
While O’Neal earned a staggering $292 million during his illustrious career, Gobert’s earnings are set to dwarf that figure. With his current contract and future deals, Gobert is on track to surpass $400 million, possibly even hitting the $500 million mark. This disparity is hard for O’Neal to swallow.
Adding fuel to the fire, O’Neal has voiced his frustrations about the current salary structure. He claimed on his podcast, “If I were 42 now, I’d be raking in Rudy Gobert money—12 points and 8 rebounds? I could still do that. Making $250 million for that? Ridiculous!”
In 2011, when O’Neal retired, he was the highest-paid player in the league. Yet today’s players are signing contracts worth more in a few years than what O’Neal made over two decades. This stark contrast highlights a bitter pill for O’Neal to swallow: seeing Gobert, who he views as less versatile, earning more than he ever did.
O’Neal’s recurring jabs at Gobert may well be rooted in a deeper sense of envy and frustration. His attempts at humor often come across as disrespectful, pushing him to walk back his comments. Is it just the clash of egos or something more profound? Either way, O’Neal’s latest remarks have certainly stirred the pot, leaving fans and critics questioning his motives.
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