Shaquille O'Neal on Rudy Gobert: A lot of these big men are sensitive

Shaquille O’Neal on Rudy Gobert: A lot of these big men, when I put out these challenges, they fail the test because they respond… Udonis Haslem: They sensitive now. Shaquille O’Neal: They sensitive. First of all, if you getting 250 (million) now what is your renewal check going say? You can answer it Mike (Miller). The way money is now and they just signed this $6 billion deal, if you making 250 and you playing up to par, what your next check going to be? Udonis Haslem: 300? Shaquille O’Neal: I’m trying to help, no, 500. Like I'm trying to help, I'm trying to help you get it. When I speak I try to speak from facts. It may come out wrong, and you may think I'm hating and his comments, you trying to stay relevant. I got 15 commercials, what the f*ck are you talking about? I want you to protect this thing of ours, because if you play well and get 500 million, there's a kid right now in high school that could be making 700 million. But if you keep playing how you playing and you’re f*cking the money up, you have these owners saying ‘this guy, 250, he's not worth it’, you’re f*cking the money up, then this thing of ours is ruined.

Source: YouTube

More on this storyline

Shaquille O’Neal on: In a perfect world I would love for us to stay together forever but you know it's in the hands of the powers right now so but this last year is going to be a phenomenal year. Chuck is gonna go crazy, I'm gonna go crazy. It's gonna be fun and hopefully this is not the last year. -via YouTube / September 19, 2024

O’Neal went on to reveal how he intentionally employed motivational tactics that referenced both Michael Jordan and LeBron James to fuel Bryant’s competitive fire. “I used to say things to make him mad on purpose because I knew that’s when he’d play his best,” O’Neal shared. “I’d tell him things like, ‘You’re not Michael Jordan,’ or ‘They got this kid LeBron in Cleveland who’s better than you.’” Despite the intensity of their relationship on the court, O’Neal emphasized that the dynamic was never about personal conflict but rather a strategy to bring out the best in Bryant. “It wasn’t about hating him; I was motivating him,” he explained. Their bond was apparent, particularly during their first championship win. “When we won that first championship, people thought we hated each other. But look at the footage—who’s the first person I’m jumping into the arms of? Kobe.” -via Clutch Points / September 18, 2024

Shaq and Wade led the Heat to an NBA title against Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks in 2006. O'Neal recently joined The OGs podcast with Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller, revealing his conversation with Wade about his falling out with Bryant in LA. “First thing I did when I came to Miami, I said, ‘Look, you heard a lot of s*** about me. That ain't going to happen with me and you. This is your [team]. I'm a help you; I'm a graduate, and I don't want them to call this no Shaq vs D-Wade,” O'Neal said. “It's your s*** already. I came here because of you because I need a m*********** like you to help me get one more.' So, me and him never had a problem.” -via Clutch Points / September 18, 2024

Chris Vernon: Have gotten overwhelming amount of messages about Mismatch episode that has not happened yet.  Its my fault.  The pod obviously won’t continue as it was, as @KevinOConnorNBA  is moving to yahoo.  I love Kev, and it makes me sad.  I’m not sure what the future holds for me but I have asked them to hire Rudy Gobert and pair him with me to be called “The Real Mismatch” to spite kev haha.  I love all of you that have been so loyal and made the show a huge success.  Stick with me, and promise will let know as soon as I have news. -via x.com / September 19, 2024

Incoming coach J.B. Bickerstaff is familiar with Duren’s game from his time as coach of division rival Cleveland. At his July introductory press conference, Bickerstaff talked of how the ability of Duren and teammate Isaiah Stewart to switch indiscriminately on defense troubled the Cavaliers. Bickerstaff can point to the development of Jarrett Allen, Cleveland’s seven-year veteran, and use his experience coaching him to hasten Duren’s grasp of the complexities of the tasks he’ll be assigned. There is plenty to work with. Duren is already an elite rebounder. He finished fifth in rebounding last season at 11.6 per game behind Domantas Sabonis, Rudy Gobert, Anthony Davis and Nikola Jokic. Among players who averaged at least 20 minutes per game, Duren was second in rebound percentage (19.4) to Jusuf Nurkic and second to Sabonis in defensive rebound percentage (28.5). Don’t underestimate rebounding as a key component of defense. -via NBA.com / September 18, 2024

With Rudy Gobert… * Wolves had their second-best season ever. * Jazz had their second-best season this century. * France had its best Olympics ever (2020). * France had its two best World Cup performances ever. Correlation does not mean causation or an obvious pattern? -via x.com / September 8, 2024

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