Shaquille O’Neal is more than happy to mentor WNBA phenom Angel Reese.

But he sets the limit at NBA stars.

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“The Great Aristotle” recently appeared on Reese’s Podcast “A Shameless Angel” where he discussed a number of things, Reese and his rival Caitlin Clarkfrom the impact on women’s basketball to the salary disparity between players in the WNBA and NBA.

“(Women’s) football is more popular than ever,” Shaq said.

“You all need to be paid more, there’s no reason why some of these (NBA) bums should be making $200 million and you all make what you make.”

Reese, the No. 7 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, earned $73,439 during his rookie season with the Chicago Skythe first year of a four-year contract worth $324,383.

This figure is dwarfed by that of almost all current NBA stars, many of whom Shaq think they don’t deserve such immense wealth.

That’s why O’Neal has decided to stop mentoring NBA players, telling Reese that he can’t bring himself to teach players who are winning a lot more on the court than ever before.

“I don’t like it. It’s hard to mentor someone who makes more money than you,” Shaq said.

He added: “It should never be about money, but I have all the answers to the test because I’m one of the reasons you get what you get. »

“I made it possible for Kobe, DWade and LeBron, and then these guys make it possible for you. And Steph makes that possible for you, because I’m so jealous of the players,” O’Neal added.

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This comes after the four-time NBA champion recently got into a war of words with Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert.

Gobert is a four-time Defensive Player of the Year and one of the best interior defenders in league history.

However, he has proven to be an easy target in the playoffs, particularly outside the basket as guards across the league isolate him on the perimeter and take advantage of his relative lack of mobility.

The Frenchman recently signed a three-year contract worth $110 million, but Shaq, who earned $286 million in the NBA, doesn’t think the T-Wolves man is worth the money. he won during his ten-year NBA career.

“Diesel” called Gobert “the worst player ever” and suggested average players making that much money “f**** the system” for players down the line.

“If you sign a $250 million contract, show me 250,” Shaq said.

“There’s a reason why I walk funny, why I can’t turn my neck and why I can’t do it because I played for my $120 million. So you have guys like him screwing up the system and they’re making all this money and they can’t play. So I don’t respect guys like that.

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“A lot of these big men, when I give these challenges, they fail the test because they’re reacting. They’re sensitive,” Shaq continued. “When I speak, I try to speak from facts. It might sound fake and you might think I hate it. His comment, ‘you’re trying to stay relevant,’ I got 15 commercials. What’s that what the hell? are you talking?”

“You’re the Defensive Player of the Year, but every scouting report I see targets you,” he added.

“I’m not motivated by your finances or your accomplishments. And, if you talk about your accomplishments and these little trophies that you’ve won, that’s not enough. When you make 250 (million dollars), young man, it ‘is not enough.’

Gobert responded: “It’s sad to see someone who has accomplished as much as you (Shaq), both in sports and business, still be driven by another man’s finances and accomplishments… I understand the entertainment part, but unlike other people, you don’t “I don’t need that stuff to stay relevant.

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The Lakers legend then responded to Gobert’s statement on his “The Great Podcast with Shaq”.

“When I made comments about Rudy Gobert, people thought it was personal,” Shaq said.

“Yeah, it’s personal, for guys like David Robinson, who only made $116 million (and is a) fabulous Hall of Fame player.

“Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar), the most he ever made was $3 million.

“How much did Alonzo Mourning make in his career? Did he make $100 million?

“Bill Russell, $100,000. Kevin McHale, $14 million.

“So when I talk about big men and how they play, just play hard.

“You make $250 million, play hard, that’s all I’m saying. Ben Simmons, you make $50 million this year, play hard.

“(Michael) Jordan and Dr. J paved the way for me to make $100 million. I paved the way for you to make $200 million, play hard, that’s all I ask.”

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That said, Shaq still promises to be a mentor to Reese.

The basketball duo became close in recent years due to their close ties to LSU, which they both attended.

The 7-foot-1 legend became Reese’s mentor when she was in college opposite Clark.

“(Angel is) like a daughter to me,” O’Neal shared via the WNBA’s X account.

He reiterated this support during his appearance on Reese’s podcast.

“Shaq is Angel’s mentor, he would never even cross that line with her,” O’Neal said.

“I can help you get to the next level. Did you forget I played with Penny? Did you forget I played with Kobe? Did you forget I played with D Wade? Ask them about me .”