Shaq is not impressed

[Carlos Danger]

with Rudy. From the link:

"In the latest episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq, the legendary center invited Mario Chalmers, who played as a starting point guard for the Miami Heat during championship years in the 2010s. When Chalmers said he would give the DPOY trophy to Miami’s Bam Adebayo, Shaq almost immediately agreed that it shouldn’t go to Gobert. “I never thought he was a great defensive player, either. What it is, there’s not a lot of centers that are making him play defense. He’s not doing it against Joker because he has to be engaged. But when he’s going against another guy, he’s 7’6, of course, if you lay it up, he’s going to block it,” Shaq said. “Defense to me is – guard that m***, shut him down. You want to impress me? Hold Joker under 15 points. Now you’re playing. All that weakside blocking shots, that’s cool but it ain’t going to work against guys like me and Joker and Embiid,” the Hall of Famer explained.
Source: BasketNews"

https://hoopshype.com/2024/03/14/shaqui ... ve-player/

[Q-is-here]

How ignorant.

Jokic vs. Miami in the Finals last year averaged 30.2 pts/14 rebs/7.2 assts and he shot 58% from the field.

Jokic vs. Minnesota in the first round last year averaged 26.2/12.4/9.0 on 48.5% shooting from the field.

Doesn't seem like Bam did much to slow down Jokic!

Also, sorry, but not even the greatest defensive centers in NBA history can hold guys like Embiid or Jokic down one-on-one to 15 points the way today's game is played and ref'ed.

[Carlos Danger]

How ignorant.

Jokic vs. Miami in the Finals last year averaged 30.2 pts/14 rebs/7.2 assts and he shot 58% from the field.

Jokic vs. Minnesota in the first round last year averaged 26.2/12.4/9.0 on 48.5% shooting from the field.

Doesn't seem like Bam did much to slow down Jokic!

Also, sorry, but not even the greatest defensive centers in NBA history can hold guys like Embiid or Jokic down one-on-one to 15 points the way today's game is played and ref'ed.

Yup. Seems like Shaq has a little axe to grind in this debate. Whatever. I am completely satisfied with the Rudy trade as of this year. Last year, I was a less satisfied. But I give TC credit for making the right tweaks to save face on that deal.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Gobert is taller than I realized.

[davemang]

Gobert is taller than I realized.

I’m not unconvinced that shaq doesn’t know which French big man is which. The TNT guys are entertaining, but they clearly don’t really follow the modern game, especially shaq and to a great extent, Chuck (Jet seems to be a little more with it and EJ is the goat though). They just offer “common sense” type basketball/winning analysis without actually being educated about the game anymore.

[KiwiMatt]

Shaq's always had a vendetta towards Gobert. Nothings changed. It's a joke to suggest Bam is a better defender than Gobert, or having a better defensive season.

[Q-is-here]

Gobert is taller than I realized.

I’m not unconvinced that shaq doesn’t know which French big man is which. The TNT guys are entertaining, but they clearly don’t really follow the modern game, especially shaq and to a great extent, Chuck (Jet seems to be a little more with it and EJ is the goat though). They just offer “common sense” type basketball/winning analysis without actually being educated about the game anymore.

Feels like that TNT group needs some fresh blood. I can appreciate how EJ is an institution at this point, but the Shaq/Kenny/Charles trio are all in their 50s/early 60s. Nothing wrong with having one or two older guys, but all three are decades removed from their playing days and the game has changed so much.

[Crazysauce]

I enjoy watching Chuck and Shaq joke around. It's my favorite to watch on basketball. I dont really get worried if Shaq doesn't think Gobert is great. It doesn't matter to me. Maybe he does have an axe to grind but it's much more entertaining then watching the like of Stephen a smith or skip Bayless