Big Ru responds to Shaq’s “worst player” comment: “It is sad”

[SomeBunghole]

I mean, I should start by saying that I'm obviously a Rudy homer...I'm typing this sitting next to my scanner which has a Rudy sticker on it.



Still, I don't think I'm being a homer by pointing out that standards some people set for Gobert are downright ridiculous.

He can't defend Harden/Curry 1v1? Who can? And I'm not even talking about big men here. These are dudes who have both scored 20K+ points the past decade alone. If anyone in the NBA can shut them down consistently, we haven't seen it yet.

People talk about players who can allegedly defend all 5 positions at an elite level, but that's always a load of ****. If there was an NBA player who could legitimately do that, he'd be put on the opposition's best player every game, regardless of size. Who defends both Jokić and Curry? Mitchell and Embiid? It's just a stupid myth people use on message boards to prop up their favourite players and whatever agenda they have.

He gets "exposed" in playoffs? Geez, it's almost like everyone has to play much better teams in playoffs than in the regular season. Not that Gobert's stats show some massive drop-off in the playoffs, but I love when people act like there are players out there who mail it in against the likes of Detroit and Charlotte during the regular season but then become gods among men in the playoffs. Look at Luka's or Tatum's numbers(advanced ones, too) last year in the RS and in the playoffs.

It's like Gobert has to be the three greatest defenders who have ever lived all in one, else he's a scrub.

[Edrees]

I dont hate gobert or anything and I think Shaq's an idiot for hating on him, but if I had to guess a reason, I think it's because he's more of a role player than star but his contract and the way people have talked about him in the past he's been treated like he is a star. That might have to do with it. None of that's Goberts fault though so you can't hold it against him, he doesn't boast or act cocky.

[MacGill]

My fav player and GOAT center but aside from views, he needs to gracefully accept his place in the game and stop trying to create a 'gotcha moment' with every other big that's ever played. I am sure Wilt & KAJ thought the same when Shaq signed his 120MM but as an ATG he needs to showcase a bit of class, regardless of his personal thoughts. Sadly, it's why no big really mentors under him a'la Hakeem for example.

[bkkrh]

FIrst off, it's Shaq. The guy honestly talks about earning his 120 Million and having neck issues while also being Mr. "I got hurt on company time, so I’ll rehab on company time."

Shaq has a tendency to have problems with certain players. Reminding people that Steve Nash stole "his" MVP. Kinda beefing with Bill Walton because he felt he wasn't an alltime great like him. Disrespecting Dwight pretty much his whole career every chance he got. That Javale McGee Shaqtin a Fool thing that went a bit over the top with time.

My guess is that he is generally a bit bitter about never winning DPOY and feels that Dwight and Gobert have too many and only have them because they played in a "softer" area.

About the Gobert hate in general, it probably has to do partially with the size of this contract, otherwise a mixture of maybe some biases towards "soft" Euros. Personally I don't get it at all, the guy was a late first and played less than 10 minutes his rookie year, he is a complete overachiever.

Makes no sense, guy wasn't even putting the effort on defense in the regular season to be a DPOY. That would be a wild reason. I think Shaq just likes to bully people.

He made a few 2nd teams and was once 2nd in DPOY voting. But yeah, it's only an assumption, can also just be bullying as you said. He speaks always about a fraternity of the greatest big men, so it would kinda make sense that he feels he can hassle and downtalk to lower "members".

[NYKnickerbocker]

Whenever I see rudy gobert, I just think of the clip where Brunson had him all **** up lmao

[whatisacenter]

I mean, I should start by saying that I'm obviously a Rudy homer...I'm typing this sitting next to my scanner which has a Rudy sticker on it.



Still, I don't think I'm being a homer by pointing out that standards some people set for Gobert are downright ridiculous.

He can't defend Harden/Curry 1v1? Who can? And I'm not even talking about big men here. These are dudes who have both scored 20K+ points the past decade alone. If anyone in the NBA can shut them down consistently, we haven't seen it yet.

People talk about players who can allegedly defend all 5 positions at an elite level, but that's always a load of ****. If there was an NBA player who could legitimately do that, he'd be put on the opposition's best player every game, regardless of size. Who defends both Jokić and Curry? Mitchell and Embiid? It's just a stupid myth people use on message boards to prop up their favourite players and whatever agenda they have.

He gets "exposed" in playoffs? Geez, it's almost like everyone has to play much better teams in playoffs than in the regular season. Not that Gobert's stats show some massive drop-off in the playoffs, but I love when people act like there are players out there who mail it in against the likes of Detroit and Charlotte during the regular season but then become gods among men in the playoffs. Look at Luka's or Tatum's numbers(advanced ones, too) last year in the RS and in the playoffs.

It's like Gobert has to be the three greatest defenders who have ever lived all in one, else he's a scrub.

Dude, what's with the cassette tape? It's like you haven't cleaned that tabletop off since the 90's!

[Bank Shot]

Great answer by Rudy. Makes Shaq look like the child he is without giving him too much attention.

[MrBigShot]

Shaq always needs someone to bully. If it's not Dwight he'll find another big to bully, this time it's gobert.

[WolfAddict]

there were too many lowlight tapes of Gobert getting crossed by Curry/Harden

A lot of players have lowlight tapes like this to be fair...

[NyKnicks1714]

I mean, I should start by saying that I'm obviously a Rudy homer...I'm typing this sitting next to my scanner which has a Rudy sticker on it.

Did you not think people would believe you or something?

[bkkrh]

I mean, I should start by saying that I'm obviously a Rudy homer...I'm typing this sitting next to my scanner which has a Rudy sticker on it.



Still, I don't think I'm being a homer by pointing out that standards some people set for Gobert are downright ridiculous.

He can't defend Harden/Curry 1v1? Who can? And I'm not even talking about big men here. These are dudes who have both scored 20K+ points the past decade alone. If anyone in the NBA can shut them down consistently, we haven't seen it yet.

People talk about players who can allegedly defend all 5 positions at an elite level, but that's always a load of ****. If there was an NBA player who could legitimately do that, he'd be put on the opposition's best player every game, regardless of size. Who defends both Jokić and Curry? Mitchell and Embiid? It's just a stupid myth people use on message boards to prop up their favourite players and whatever agenda they have.

He gets "exposed" in playoffs? Geez, it's almost like everyone has to play much better teams in playoffs than in the regular season. Not that Gobert's stats show some massive drop-off in the playoffs, but I love when people act like there are players out there who mail it in against the likes of Detroit and Charlotte during the regular season but then become gods among men in the playoffs. Look at Luka's or Tatum's numbers(advanced ones, too) last year in the RS and in the playoffs.

It's like Gobert has to be the three greatest defenders who have ever lived all in one, else he's a scrub.

Yeah, it's basically like this.

Great offensive player has a dissapointing/bellow average series: He choked.
Great defensive player isn't able to stop a great offensive player from scoring less than normally: He was exposed.

It is somehow not possible for a lot of people to understand that one of these things has to happen if those type of players collide. It's like if in hockey or football the best offensive player goes towards towards the best goalkeeper. Either he will score, or the goalie will parry the shot, neither will be the reason that the other player suddenly sucks.

[Effigy]

Where's this hate coming from Shaq? Did Rudy give Shaq Covid?

Rudy has won more DPOY's than he has.

Well THAT'S a low bar. I'VE won as many NBA DPOTY awards as Shaq has.

[mowcrowbar]

According to accolades Gobert is one of the best Defensive players of all time, so wtf is going on?

[AleksandarN]

Shaq always hates on bigs he feels we was better than, when they are better he'll say something along the lines of he could have done that too if he was allowed to play that way.

however for whatever reason Rudy does seem to rub a lot of NBA guys the wrong way it seems tho

Yeah whenever a big accumulates accolades or is a threat to his legacy he gets weird and defensive. Look at how he treated Jokic when he won his third MVP.

[D.Brasco]

Shaq always needs someone to bully. If it's not Dwight he'll find another big to bully, this time it's gobert.

He's acting out on the residual trauma from when Wilt sonned him with a handshake.

Watch on YouTube

[SomeBunghole]

Dude, what's with the cassette tape? It's like you haven't cleaned that tabletop off since the 90's!

Just digitizing old tapes lately.

[chilluminati]

What a massive idiotic L. Shaq really shows his worst side when he's speaking of other centers. If Shaq played now he'd be making 300. If Rudy played back then he'd get like 40.

[magee]

I'm not hating on Shaw at all for this. Rudy is a black hole and it's like playing 4.5 on 5 on offense when he's on the floor. He should be a 20+ point scorer with his size and he's barely worked on his offensive game.

[carlquincy]

Shaq is always a bully.

[MrBigShot]

I'm not hating on Shaw at all for this. Rudy is a black hole and it's like playing 4.5 on 5 on offense when he's on the floor. He should be a 20+ point scorer with his size and he's barely worked on his offensive game.

Idk why people say this. The man regularly averages 14-16ppg while shooting ~66-70% from the field. He is very limited offensively, but when he does get opportunities to score he does so an incredibly efficient rate. He was the 3rd leading scorer for the twolves this season despite taking ~2-3 less shots than Naz Reid, who himself is also an efficient scorer. Even if he worked on his offensive game more, he's never going to be a better scoring option than Ant or KAT.