Rudy Gobert is one of the best defensive players in the league, even earning himself the nickname “The Stifle Tower” due to his amazing rim protection. He has been the anchor of the Utah Jazz’s defense over the last few years, and they have generally been a top-tier defensive team due to his abilities on that end of the floor.
Recently, Shaquille O’Neal lost it after his co-host on The Big Podcast, Spice Adams claimed that Rudy Gobert would be able to hold him to 12 points. O’Neal also explained why Rudy Gobert wouldn’t be able to guard him 1 on 1, claiming that he’d back him up underneath the rim and go up.
“12 points? Yeah, in the first three minutes. Let me tell you something, man. It’s against my religion for somebody to hold me one-on-one. I take that personally. I do. First play of the game I always used to look and see what the defense is going to do,” Shaq said reliving his Lakers days. “Like ‘Okay, he’s doubling from Spice [Adams]. Spice is going to be wide open for the jumper. Like, I always look at the first play. But if I get it and nobody’s coming, I take that as a sign of disrespect.”
“You know what I’m going to do to him? He’s a shot blocker. You can’t shoot a shot. You’ve got to back his little skinny a– up under the rim. Show him the ‘bow so he gets scared and just go up.”
Rudy Gobert has recently responded to Shaquille O’Neal suggesting that he wouldn’t be able to guard him, claiming that he’d “lock his a** up”. There’s no doubt that this is a bold claim, as Shaquille O’Neal was an unstoppable force in his prime.
Rudy fires back at Shaq in our comments 👀🍿 pic.twitter.com/ReqZZ6Z6WZ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 9, 2022
There’s no doubt that a matchup between Shaquille O’Neal and Rudy Gobert would be fun to see. Seeing one of the best offensive players in history matchup with one of the elite defenders of this generation would make for must-watch basketball.
It is hard to see anyone stopping Shaquille O’Neal. We have often seen him dominate opposing centers in his era. However, Rudy Gobert is one of the best defenders in the league currently, and he’d definitely provide a bit of a challenge for the legendary big man.
