Sports

Shaq Calls Rudy Gobert the Worst NBA Player of All Time, Says Ben Simmons Is a 'Bum'

He believes that the Minnesota Timberwolves center is not living up to how much his contract costs.

This is a photo of Shaq
Photo by Marcin Golba/NurPhoto via Getty Images

In an appearance on Complex's GOAT Talk, Shaquille O'Neal shared his belief that Rudy Gobert is the worst NBA player of all time.

Joined by his son Myles O'Neal, the NBA legend shared his thoughts on a variety of topics and did not mince his words when he was asked who he thought was the worst NBA player of all time. "Rudy Gobert," he instantly replied, to which his son said he knew would be his answer. "He's worse than Ben Simmons?" asked Myles, to which Shaq added, "Ben Simmons is another bum."

Shaq remained completely straight-faced while sharing his answer and then proceeded to explain why he mentioned Gobert in particular. "You know why? If you sign a contract for $250 [million], show me 250," he said. "It's a reason why I walk funny and I can't turn my neck... 'Cause I played for my $120 [million]. So you got guys like him that fuck the system over that making all this money and they can't fucking play. So I don't respect guys like that."

He defended his stance and said that whenever he makes comments like this he gets people accusing him of "hating," but he firmly believes that the Minnesota Timberwolves center is overvalued. "You got teachers, you got firemen, you got doctors who have real jobs and don't get paid shit," he said.

Myles, meanwhile, said that his answer would be anyone playing for the Los Angeles Clippers. "Fuck the Clippers, I hate the Clippers so much," he shared. "He's drunk," Shaq laughed. "I can't spank him now because it's against the law. We're sorry, Clippers."

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Elsewhere in the same episode of GOAT Talk, Shaq said that his dunk on Chris Dudley during a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks in 1999 was his favorite NBA highlight of all time. He also shared the story of when he completely froze up when trying to shoot his shot with Halle Berry.

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