Shaq calls Rudy Gobert an overrated defender

According to Shaquille O’Neal, he never considered Rudy Gobert to be a great defensive player. Shaq argues that Gobert’s shot-blocking abilities are not as impressive when facing top-tier centers like Nikola Jokic.

Shaq emphasizes that true defensive prowess involves actively guarding and shutting down opponents, not just relying on shot-blocking.

To illustrate his point, Shaq challenges Gobert to hold Jokic under 15 points, emphasizing that weakside shot blocking may not be effective against formidable opponents like himself and Jokic.

“I never thought he was a great defensive player… See, what it is, there’s not a lot of centers that are making him play defense. Like, he’s not doing that s**t against Joker… He’s 7’6”, of course, if you lay it up, he’s going to block it.

“But defense to me is guard that guy and shut him down. You want to impress me? Hold Joker under 15 points. All that weakside shot blocking, that’s cool. But it’s not going to work against guys like me and Joker.”