Shaq takes hilarious dig at Rudy Gobert after France’s win over Brazil

France’s Rudy Gobert looks to pull down a rebound against Brazil at the Paris Games
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Shaquille O’Neal rarely misses an opportunity to get in a dig at Rudy Gobert. Following France’s 78-66 win over Brazil at the 2024 Paris Olympics, O’Neal suggested that Gobert — who finished the game with seven points and three rebounds — would have been working as a Walmart clerk if he weren’t 7-foot-1.

Shaq on IG: pic.twitter.com/nXUKw8pf1X

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 27, 2024

O’Neal’s post was seemingly a response to Gobert being posterized by Brazil’s Maozinha Pereira, a 23-year-old forward who briefly played for the Grizzlies on a 10-day contract last season.

Wow, Rudy Gobert was just put on one of the biggest poster dunks of his career. pic.twitter.com/eQzmIYQlx2

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 27, 2024

Gobert was in foul trouble for most of the game and played only 18 minutes. France was largely carried by the tandem of Victor Wembanyama and Nicolas Batum, who had 19 points apiece. Wemby also had nine rebounds, four steals and three blocks in his Olympic debut. 

Shaq’s latest dig at Gobert should not come a surprise. Gobert, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year, has been constantly maligned by current and former NBA players over the past few years. One of the criticisms leveled at him has been his inability to stay on the floor in key postseason moments. Even during this year’s playoffs, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch chose to end several games with Naz Reid and Karl-Anthony Towns on the court and Gobert on the bench.

Outside of Shaq, the likes of Draymond Green and Charles Barkley have routinely questioned the legitimacy of Gobert’s impact as a defensive player.

More must-reads:

Men’s basketball: Three takeaways from France vs. Brazil
10 NBA players with the most riding on the Olympics
The ‘NBA Defensive Player of the Year’ quiz