Basketball fans know Shaquille O’Neal, a legendary figure in the world of basketball, not only for his towering presence on the court but also for his honest opinions off the court. As a four-time NBA champion and a Hall of Famer, Shaq has seen the highs and lows of the sport, which gives weight to his insights. Recently, he openly shared his thoughts on ‘The Big Podcast with Shaq’ about Ben Simmons, especially regarding Simmons’ mental state and performance since the 2021 NBA Playoffs.
Shaquille O’Neal has criticized Ben Simmons harshly, calling him “sensitive” and claiming he hasn’t fully recovered from the Hawks’ “exposure” of his weaknesses during the 2021 Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks.
O’Neal said, “Ben is sensitive right, he came in with a lot of hype… When he got exposed… When he didn’t want to shoot in Atlanta and he kept passing the ball, and everybody was jumping on him, he got exposed.”
Shaquille O’Neal has also criticized how Simmons has dealt with his injuries. Simmons has had back problems for several seasons, greatly reducing his playing time. O’Neal expressed his frustration, saying, “Now the back thing, I let that go the first year, I’m not letting that go 3 years in a row. This is 2024, you’ve got shots, you’ve got pills, you’ve got treatment, I don’t want to hear that s—t.”
Shaquille O’Neal’s Tough Love Approach To Ben Simmons’ Performance And Contract
Simmons’ back issues have been ongoing, affecting his ability to play well. Even with different treatments, his health continues to be a worry, making it harder for him to regain his form. Since the 2021 Playoffs, Simmons’ performance has dropped significantly.
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Once seen as one of the league’s brightest stars, his recent stats show a big decline. Last season, he averaged 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 5.7 assists in just 15 games, a huge fall from his All-NBA days.
Shaquille O’Neal has pointed out that Simmons’ struggles on offense have hurt his other skills, like playmaking and defense. This uncertainty has made it hard for teams to count on him, even when he’s available to play.
O’Neal’s criticism goes beyond Simmons’ on-court play. He has also called Simmons out for not meeting the expectations of his big contract. O’Neal said, “Teach me how you could play 55 games in three seasons and get $30 million, $40 million, and get another $40 million just by saying your back hurt. Get some f–king Icy Hot. Man up.”
This shows Shaquille O’Neal’s view on the responsibilities of high-paid athletes to perform well and set a good example. He stresses the need for players to work hard and earn their large salaries.
Despite the tough criticism, some believe Simmons can still make a strong comeback. Simmons is working hard to get back to full fitness. He has started participating in 5-on-5 scrimmages and is preparing for an important contract year. Analysts are hopeful for Simmons’ comeback in the 2024-25 season.
