Videos

Shaquille O’Neal annihilates ‘little teenage kid’ Rudy Gobert for complaining about Timberwolves fans booing team

Published by
David Akerman

Rudy Gobert and the Minnesota Timberwolves have been pretty disappointing so far this season. They currently sit in ninth place in the Western Conference with an 11-11 record. Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal recently offered some tough words to star big man.

It began after some Wolves fans expressed displeasure by booing the team. Gobert responded to those fans, saying that they shouldn’t boo the team they support.

“I just don’t appreciate people that come in to boo your team,” he said recently. “When you’re a fan, you gotta support your team in the tough or the good moments. There’s no team in NBA history that only had good moments, so if you’re not going to support us in the tough moments, just stay home. I think if you’re going to embrace us in the tough moments, then come and then we’re going to love the support.”

While it makes sense that Gobert was a bit offended by Wolves fans booing the team, O’Neal recently went at the French big man for complaining.

“Instead of grabbing your little phone like a little teenage kid, give the people something to cheer about Mr. Gobert,” said O’Neal during an episode of his podcast. “… Shut up and just play. Get 25 rebounds. Yeah, get nine blocks. Stop letting people dunk on you.”

It’s no surprise that O’Neal is against Gobert in this situation. After all, the two went back and forth in May trading barbs on social media. After O’Neal said that Gobert wouldn’t be able to guard him, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year award winner said he would “lock his a– up.”

To the surprise of few, the four-time champion responded strongly.

“I wonder what French barbecue chicken tastes like,” O’Neal replied. “… Like I said, I’m backing his little skinny a– down. I’m throwing a bow, and I’m dunking.”

The Hall of Famer then said that he wanted Gobert to use his words “strictly for motivation.” The two haven’t traded shots since then, but O’Neal’s recent comments might entice the three-time All-Star to respond.

Gobert is likely more focused on helping the Timberwolves get out of the current hole that they’re in. After riding a five-game winning streak to get to 10-8, Minnesota has lost three of its last four games to fall back to .500.

Minnesota made the playoffs last season, and expectations started out high this season after the blockbuster offseason trade for Gobert. The results have largely been lackluster thus far, but there’s still lots of time to turn things around.

Anything less than another playoff appearance would surely be disappointing.

David Akerman

David is a University of Maryland graduate who has spent most of his life in Miami. He has experience in writing, editing and video production. He is a proud contributor of Lakers Daily.

Published by
David Akerman

Recent Posts

‘It’s a death sentence’: LeBron’s former teammate thinks J.J. Redick would be jumping on grenade with Lakers job

A former teammate of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers in…

May 16, 2024

DeMar DeRozan drops truth bomb on potentially playing for the Lakers

Six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan voiced an intriguing mindset about potentially playing for the Los Angeles…

May 15, 2024

Nick Young tells WNBA to stop treating Caitlin Clark like Lonzo Ball if it wants better ratings

Though the 2024 NBA Playoffs are in full swing, one of the hottest stories in…

May 15, 2024

Report: Lakers will try to sign D’Angelo Russell to big one-year deal to make him easier to trade

The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly may have a plan to re-sign D’Angelo Russell, but not…

May 14, 2024

Report: Lakers tried to trade D’Angelo Russell at trade deadline

The Los Angeles Lakers might have had a very different look -- and come out…

May 14, 2024

5 bold predictions for the Lakers’ offseason, ranked most to least likely

With the 2023-24 Los Angeles Lakers season behind us, it's time to look ahead to…

May 14, 2024