In his early NBA years with the Philadelphia 76ers, Ben Simmons stood out as one of the league’s top players, especially regarding defense on the basketball court. During his time with the 76ers, Simmons earned All-Star honors for three consecutive years. His partnership with fellow standout Joel Embiid created a formidable duo that opponents feared and left fans into frenzy over sports betting.
Shaquille O’Neal recently talked about who he enjoys watching the most during NBA games. He didn’t hold back when talking about Ben Simmons, a player for the Nets who has been criticized for not playing. Shaq mentioned this on his podcast, pointing out that Simmons has been making much money without actually being on the court.
Shaquille O’Neal shades Ben Simmons’s low NBA appearance
Shaquille O’Neal isn’t afraid to speak his mind regarding NBA players who don’t meet his expectations. One player who has been on the receiving end of Shaq’s criticism is Ben Simmons. Simmons had a tough time in the playoffs while playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, and what happened afterward didn’t sit well with Shaq.
Recently, Shaq talked about Simmons on The Big Podcast. When asked which NBA players he’d pay to watch, Simmons was one of the names that came up surprisingly. Shaq then expressed his frustration with Simmons’ contract situation, pointing out how Simmons has earned much money despite playing fewer games.
“Ben Simmons, because I would wanna learn how you could make $80 million and play 55 games,” Shaq said. “Teach me. Teach me how you could play 55 games in three seasons and get $30 million, $40 million, and another $40 million just by saying your back hurt. Get some f*ckin Icy Hot, man up,” Shaq said.
Shaq did praise other players like Nikola Jokic, but he didn’t hold back in his comments about Simmons. Despite Shaq’s remarks, Simmons has been dealing with a back injury and hasn’t played much this season.
Shaquille O’Neal chose Joel Embiid over Ben Simmons for NBA MVP
During the 2021-22 season, Ben Simmons faced much criticism from fans and analysts. He hasn’t played for the team since asking for a trade in August 2021 and dealt with mental health issues during the preseason.
Meanwhile, Joel Embiid has been playing exceptionally well at that time, averaging 29.0 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Despite Simmons’ situation, injuries, and COVID challenges, the Sixers are holding onto the No. 6 seed in the East. In January, Embiid’s performance has been even better, scoring 34.5 points per game with a 54.8% shooting percentage.
Shaquille O’Neal, from Inside the NBA, shared his thoughts on Ben Simmons, preferring Tobias Harris’s presence on the court due to his consistency and heart. He mentioned that Tobias Harris, who scores an average of 18 points per game, is a reliable player on the team. Shaq values Harris’ determination and resilience, especially in crucial moments like the fourth quarter, even if Harris is not shooting well from the free-throw line. Shaq said that Harris brings heart to the game and the NBA legend would choose to play alongside him over Simmons.
When asked about Joel Embiid’s MVP chances, Shaq hopes that Embiid won’t be overlooked despite his team’s lower ranking in the standings. He acknowledged differing opinions, such as those of Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith, who prioritize team records when considering MVP candidates. However, Shaq emphasizes individual excellence and hopes the media will not penalize Embiid based solely on team standings.
Do you agree with Shaquile O’Neal? Let us know in the comment section below; we would love to know.
