It’s been an interesting week for Rudy Gobert, who has gone back and forth with Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal on social media.
It all started when Anthony Adams, on O’Neal’s podcast, said that Gobert would hold Shaq to 12 points.
“Yeah, in the first three minutes,” O’Neal responded.
Gobert replied to a social media post of that statement, saying he would “lock his (butt) up.”
On Tuesday, Gobert cleared the air. Gobert texted Taylor Rooks, who was interviewing O’Neal, saying that he has no “beef” with Shaq.
"I respect that." @SHAQ responds to Rudy Gobert's IG comment 👀
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 10, 2022
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“I do think I could lock him up. I’m never going to look at someone, whoever it is, and say, ‘Yeah, you would score 40 on me.’ That’s not my mentality,” Gobert said, per Rooks. “I would love to go against prime Shaq. That would be a great challenge for me.”
“That’s the way you have to think or you have no chance. Tell Shaq that I appreciate the love,” Gobert said, per Rooks.
“Rudy, I respect that,” O’Neal said.
“A lot of times when I throw jabs, people think it’s hate or whatever. When really, I’m just challenging them,” O’Neal said. “If I say something, prove me wrong. It’s never beef.”
Gobert continued his defense by mentioning Skip Bayless, the Fox Sports commentator, on Twitter.
Would u speak to me that way if you were standing in front of me @RealSkipBayless ?🤔 I’m cool with the constant disrespect and opinions about who i am as a player and i CHOOSE to let these things slide but it seems like people are getting way to comfortable... https://t.co/YZ0wjwtuE3
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) May 11, 2022