Shaquille O’Neal is not a fan of Rudy Gobert.
His disdain for the Minnesota Timberwolves star is so great that the NBA legend vowed to wear a dress to the Hall of Fame ceremony if the Frenchman makes it.
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Shaq promised to wear a dress should Gobert make the Hall of FameCredit: @bigpodwithshaq
O’Neal’s dislike for Gobert is well documented, the four-time NBA champion and now media personality has always criticised his fellow big man when given the chance.
On the latest episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq, O’Neal refused to entertain the idea that Gobert should ever be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“I f***ing hate Rudy Gobert,” O’Neal said.
“Because that mother f***er is making $250 million and he doesn’t deserve it, dog. As the President of the Big Man Alliance, you making big money, play like a f***ing big man.
“That’s it. Play like a f***ing big man. Throw some bows. Knock some people out. Don’t be little white dudes from Denver dunk on you and talk s*** to you.
“Then you got to grab them by the neck at the last second. Come on, bro. If you going to f***ing be get paid big money, play big.”
It was at this point, O’Neal followed up his criticism with a promise.
“If Rudy Gobert gets into the Hall of Fame I’ll wear this dress to the mother f***ing ceremony,” he added.
We may likely see O’Neal in a dress, as it seems unimaginable that Gobert won’t be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Rudy Gobert’s achievements warrant a Hall of Fame induction
Gobert, who entered the NBA in 2013 as the 27th overall pick by the Utah Jazz, has enjoyed a fine career in the league so far.
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Gobert is one of four players in NBA history to win four Defensive Player of the year awardsCredit: Getty
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Shaquille O’Neal is in the Hall of Fame and a regular attendee of the eventCredit: GETTY
While at the Jazz, he led the franchise to its most successful era since the retirements of Karl Malone and John Stockton, with six postseason appearances.
Gobert also picked up three Defensive Player of the Year awards while at the Jazz.
His time in Utah came to an end when he was traded to the Timberwolves, where his impact has been similar.
Minnesota have been to two Western Conference Finals in the last two years, and Gobert picked up his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award last season
Shaq has praised Rudy Gobert in the past
Despite O’Neal’s frequent criticism of Gobert, he has given him his flowers in the past.
The Timberwolves had a strong start to the 2025 playoffs, sending the Los Angeles Lakers home in the first round
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It was a series in which Gobert starred, with his 27 points and 24 rebound performance in the series-clinching Game 5 the highlight.
It led to a viral moment from O’Neal, who said the following in disgust: “Rudy Gobert is dominating, I’m happy for him.”
While Gobert has a lot to do to impress O’Neal, his impressive NBA resume will likely warrant a spot in the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame.
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