Today with the Timberwolves, Rudy Gobert is one of the best at his position in the NBA, as evidenced by his 4 titles as best defender of the year. Despite this, the Frenchman remains one of the most criticized players on the other side of the Atlantic. Indeed, Gobert is the subject of numerous attacks from consultants. While Shaquille O’Neal had him in his crosshairs recently, the 32-year-old responded.
Shaquille O’Neal clearly doesn’t like Rudy Gobert and the legend of Lakers made this clear a few weeks ago. Strongly criticizing the Frenchman, particularly in relation to his salary, the one who is now a consultant then blurted out: “ Who is the worst player in history? Rudy Gobert. Is he worse than Ben Simmons? Ben Simmons is another dud. Do you want to know why (Rudy)? If you sign a contract for 250 million, show me (that you deserve) 250. There’s a reason why I walk funny, why I can’t turn my neck, because I can’t, because I I played for my 120 million. So you have guys like him who are ruining the system, because they’re getting all this money and they don’t know how to play. I don’t respect guys like that “. Following this, Rudy Gobert had responded to O’Nealposting on his social networks: “ It’s sad to see someone who has accomplished as much as you have Shaquille O’Neal in both sports and business still being upset about someone else’s money and success. I understand the entertainment side, but you don’t need that stuff to stay relevant ».
NBA: “It’s not fair,” Wembanyama is already chasing LeBron James? https://t.co/rSDRWx3ys1 pic.twitter.com/DfTyPIxT1p
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“Important to say what I think about certain behaviors”
Shaquille O’Neal had clearly not chewed, going so far as to qualify Rudy Gobert of ” worst player in history ». Pour The Tribunethe player of Timberwolves returned to these criticisms of which he was the subject, responding then: “ We live in a world where the notion of truth is increasingly vague. We read a tweet or a quote without really going any further, and it sticks in our minds. I’m not trying to compete with these people. [ses détracteurs]especially since what they say will never define me. I tend to ignore everyone’s little opinions. But, sometimes, it’s important to say what I think about certain behaviors ».
“Maybe there is a little jealousy”
Targeted by critics in particular because of his salary, Rudy Gobert also explained on this subject: “ Some criticisms I can understand, others I don’t. Of course, the financial side matters. The salary cap is much higher than twenty years ago and many former players say to themselves: “He has that, I didn’t have as much. » Maybe there is a little jealousy. Add to that the fact of coming from Europe: you always have to do a little more to have the same respect. Trophies may reward foreigners, but it’s still hard for some to understand that the NBA is the reflection of a sport that has become global. Overall, I think I’m a misunderstood person. I don’t communicate a lot, I remain a fairly private person. And then there’s my game: the way I impact the team is less obvious to the naked eye than to other players. Even in pure stats ».
