Former Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, and Miami Heat superstar Shaquille O’Neal continue to be one of many Ben Simmons’ critics as he took a hit recently.
Adam Lefkoe: "Who are the NBA players that you would legitimately go watch because you find them entertaining?"
Shaq: "Ben Simmons, because I'd wanna learn how you can make $80 million and play 55 games. Teach me.”
(via @bigpodwithshaq)pic.twitter.com/1WyAX55cnP
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 27, 2024
The Brooklyn Nets in the past few years haven’t been the team the NBA world once envisioned, as the franchise’s best-laid plans are not working.
Even the Nets’ star forward Simmons has been living off his past glory for many years now from the lenses of NBA fans and analysts.
Simmons has played in just 15 games and scored over six points per game despite an off season, he has shot 58 percent from the field, and not attempted a single three-pointer.
In a recent episode of his The Big Podcast, O’Neal blasted the former All-Star for earning $80 million while sitting on the bench.
His comments were followed up with Adam Lefkoe’s question,
“Who are the NBA players that you would legitimately go watch because you find them entertaining?”
Answering Lefkoe, he took a hit at Simmons, Shaq said
“Ben Simmons, because I would wanna learn how you could make $80 million and play 55 games. Teach me. 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*ckin Icy Hot, man up.”
Back in 2019, Ben signed a five-year, $177 million extension with the 76ers that has him making roughly $40 million per year. Between this season and next, Simmons is owed over $80 million.
O’Neal also made it a point to make clear that he loves Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets big man and last year’s championship-winning center.
During the interview shown below, saying that he would fly out to watch him, a statement echoed by former NBA star Jamal Crawford.
