NBA
Shaquille O’Neal names his worst NBA player of all time
O’Neal was asked who he thought the worst NBA player of all time was: he didn’t hold back.
Shaquille O’Neal is not known for holding back. So when asked on the YouTube show Complex to name the worst player in NBA history, he didn’t hesitate. Without a second thought, he responded: Rudy Gobert.
The French center, who has been named NBA Defensive Player of the Year four times, had an eventful summer. Vincent Collet, coach of the French national team at the Paris Olympics, reduced Gobert’s role to help the team find its rhythm. The adjustment paid off, with France winning the silver medal and giving the United States a tough fight in the final.
Simmons and Gobert ‘haven’t earned my respect’
Shaquille didn’t stop at calling Gobert the worst player ever. He also offered another name: “Ben Simmons is another bluff.” But he quickly returned to Gobert, elaborating on why he believes the Frenchman is overrated. “If you sign a contract for $250 million, show me you’re worth that $250 million. There’s a reason I walk around the way I do, why I can’t even turn my neck. I played for $120 million. Then you’ve got guys like him, who’ve messed up the system, making tons of money but can’t play. Those guys haven’t earned my respect.”
Shaquille made it clear that his criticism wasn’t personal. “Every time I say things like this, people think I’m singling out certain players, but I’m not. I’m just stating facts. You’ve got teachers, firefighters, doctors—people doing important jobs who get paid nothing.”
Gobert, who was drafted 27th in 2013, is entering his 12th NBA season. Currently with the Minnesota Timberwolves, he previously signed a $205 million contract with the Utah Jazz in 2020. Over the course of his career, Gobert has earned nearly $218 million, with $43.8 million more coming this season. In 2025-26, he holds a player option worth $46.65 million.
In his second season with Minnesota, Gobert averaged 14 points and 12.9 rebounds. Over his NBA career, he has averaged 12.7 points and 11.8 rebounds. While he’s been named Defensive Player of the Year four times (2018, 2019, 2021, 2024) and made three consecutive All-Star appearances (2020-2022), he’s never been selected to the All-NBA First Team. He’s made the Second Team once (2017) and the Third Team three times (2019, 2020, 2021).