NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal does not mince any words when it comes to criticizing current generation NBA players. Recently, he let loose on Brooklyn Nets star Ben Simmons. O’Neal called him out for being constantly hurt with back issues and asked him to man up.
Ben Simmons has remained a topic of discussion for several analysts throughout his NBA career. He has been out of games for a long time due to his back issues. This led Shaquille O’Neal to call out the Brooklyn Nets big man during his podcast. This is what Shaq said:
Ben Simmons, I’d wanna learn how you can make $80 million and play 55 games. Teach me. Teach me how you can play 55 games in 3 seasons, and we get $30 million, $40 million, and get another $40 million, just by saying your back hurt. Get some Icy Hot. Man Up!
Shaquille O’Neal via The Big Podcast
O’Neal alluded that the Nets paid their star to sit on the bench. O’Neal has always talked about athletes needing to be available to play.
O’Neal’s primary criticism came due to current generation players not having the will to play through injury. In contrast, back in his day, it was normal for players to ensure they honor their contracts. Not doing so could lead to detrimental effects on their future career.
But it seems Simmons’ situation is a constant troll topic, as the former MVP could not hold back from calling the Australian out. After all, O’Neal’s claim is approximately accurate, as Ben Simmons has played only 57 games in the past three years.
Shaquille O’Neal says Ben Simmons is earning millions by sitting out
Ben Simmons is currently being paid close to $38 million this season, fully guaranteed. He signed a 5-year $177 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2020. Since coming to the Brooklyn Nets via trade, the 6′ 10″ point guard has played in only 57 games. He did not play the 2021-22 season altogether.
Ben Simmons (Credits: Corey Sipkin)Time and again, issues with his back have kept him out. Even though he has tried to play this season, the Nets shut him down after his back issues crept back up. Now, he has undergone surgery to alleviate that pain.
Therefore, he remains the butt of jokes for players and analysts across the league. Simmons’ guaranteed contract keeps paying him even though he mostly sits on the bench in casual clothes. Players like Shaq, who gave their all, took offense. Shaq never received a contract like that in his career and must have felt Simmons didn’t do enough to keep earning huge checks.
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