“Do you think I’m happy Rudy Gobert is making $250 million?” Shaquille O’Neal sides with Kevin Durant by taking yet another shot at former DPOY
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Kevin Durant fires back at Charles Barkley which Shaquille O'Neal supports the Nets star's claims
Kevin Durant targets former players’ views highlighting the pay difference between two different generations of athletes. On the same note Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal decided to throw major shade at the Utah Jazz marquee star once again.
NBA has grown a lot, in terms of many players playing the game, TV revenues, Ticket Sales, and subsequent profit sharing. At one time, NBA was finding it difficult to find packed arenas, and now, they have season tickets sold out and even the broadcasting rights skyrocketing every year. The League is even looking to add more teams to cover the world as much possible as they can. Players are getting more pay than before and have been criticized by former pros Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley for earning large paychecks despite not giving it their all every night.
The feud started when Kevin Durant fired shots at Hall of Famer Charles Barkley for the “Bus-driver” rant. As per Barkley, KD was unable to lead his team to an NBA title, and Durant, in response, claimed that Barkley was jealous because he did not make as much money as the Nets superstar.
Shaquille O’Neal accepts claims made by Kevin Durant and adds his views
So, as per 2-time NBA Champion Kevin Durant, former players envy the paychecks of current stars. As he tweet reads, “All this s**t is nasty, another terrible analogy from a hatin old head that can’t accept that we making more bread than them. It’s just timing Chucky, don’t hate the playa.”
Shaquille O’Neal accepted the fact and added his views to the discussion. He stated that former players are not happy with the money the new generation is earning. He brought up the example of Rudy Gobert’s $250 million contract to drive home his point.
He gave the reference to former Orlando Magic forward Dennis Scott, who made around $7 million in his prime, while he was one of the league’s best shooters. Shaq said, “Let me tell you something, do you think I’m happy Rudy Gobert is making 250 (million)? So KD, you’re absolutely right. We’re mad because the way we played we didn’t get that. You got these shooters shooting 22% making 30 million.”
“D Scott shot damn near 45 to 50% his whole career and the most he made was probably $7 million, so you damn right we get mad. We get petty, and guess what? We have an opinion, and our opinion counts.”
Rudy Gobert in particular signed a five-year extension worth $205 million with Utah Jazz in 2020, which made him the highest-paid center in league history. He spent nine years in the league and signed a contract extension in 2016 worth $102 million. Gobert was instrumental in Jazz. He was their prime force near the rim and led in rebounding for many seasons.
Shaquille O’Neal had a stellar career in the NBA. The dominant O’Neal was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016, won 4 NBA titles in his career, and won 3 Finals MVP titles with the Lakers. In the 19 years he spent in the league, he earned about $292 million. Shaq gave an example of a former Laker, as he said, “D Scott shot damn near 45 to 50% his whole career, and the most he made was probably $7 million, so you damn right we get mad. We get petty, and guess what? We have an opinion, and our opinion counts.”
But Shaquille O’Neal looked more disturbed with the player at his position earning more and could not even deliver single silverware for the team. He admitted to being ticked off by the price tag placed on Gobert, who has not achieved half of what the former Lakers star did.
But as time goes by, NBA franchises generate far more revenue now than they did earlier and are ready to pay their stars a “deserved” amount. It might feel odd for the veterans, but as time flies, KD might even complain the same for the future star.
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Kunal Chawda
(600 Articles Published)