Shaquille O’Neal has once again expressed his hostility towards Rudy Gobert while teasing a surprising $240 million return to the NBA. On Saturday, the Hall of Famer shared footage of himself playing pickup basketball in Germany, reigniting his long-standing Shaquille O’Neal Rudy Gobert feud and hinting at a lucrative NBA comeback.
In an Instagram post, O’Neal joked about signing a three-year deal worth $240 million, captioning the clip to highlight his perceived value despite his retirement. This playful challenge caught the eye of NBA shooting coach Chris Matthews, also known as Lethal Shooter, who responded with enthusiastic emoji reactions.
O’Neal’s interaction on social media soon took a direct aim at Gobert. He referenced Matthews’ recent post showing the coach working with Gobert on improving his footwork, using the opportunity to subtly criticize the French center’s skills. Matthews had explained Gobert’s dedication to developing footwork and quicker decision-making on the court.
“Rudy Gobert is committed to mastering his footwork and learning quicker reads to a smooth rhythm,” Matthews captioned the post.
This ongoing digital back-and-forth underscores O’Neal’s clear disdain for Gobert, the former Defensive Player of the Year, whom Shaq has repeatedly targeted with sharp remarks online.
O’Neal Doubles Down, Vowing to Wear a Dress if Gobert Makes Hall of Fame
The tension between Shaquille O’Neal and Rudy Gobert escalated further during a recent episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq. O’Neal declared his strong opposition to Gobert’s Hall of Fame candidacy, insisting the center will never be inducted. To emphasize his point, Shaq boldly promised to wear a dress to the ceremony if Gobert ever achieves that honor.
“I f*cking hate Rudy,” Shaq said. “If Rudy Gobert gets into the Hall of Fame, I will wear this motherf*cking dress to the ceremony,” he said, pointing at a portrait of a black dress.
O’Neal has consistently criticized Gobert’s high salary, which he claims is undeserved given the player’s performance and impact. This deep-seated animosity continues to fuel their public feud, drawing significant attention across basketball circles.
As the rivalry between Shaquille O’Neal and Rudy Gobert plays out, it highlights ongoing debates about player value, legacy, and respect within the NBA community. O’Neal’s provocative remarks and teasing of an NBA comeback keep the feud in the spotlight, leaving fans and analysts eager to see what unfolds next.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Can Rudy Gobert shoot 3?
A. Rudy Gobert and Julia Bonilla have ended their relationship. In May 2025, Gobert announced on Instagram Stories that they split up, even though she’s expecting their second baby.