NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal delivered a no-holds-barred assessment of Ben Simmons’ injury-plagued season on “The Big Podcast.”
In a characteristic mix of wit and candor, O’Neal raised eyebrows with his remarks about Simmons’ earnings despite limited game time with the Brooklyn Nets.
“Ben Simmons, because I would wanna learn how you could make $80 million and play 55 games,” Shaq quipped on the podcast.
He continued with a blend of sarcasm and pointed critique, “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—in’ Icy Hot, man up.”
Simmons, dealing with back and knee injuries, has been a rare sight on the court for the Nets this season. The 27-year-old’s struggles with injuries have limited him to just 15 games so far in the 2023-24 campaign.
While Shaq’s comments leaned towards the comedic, he did offer a more serious response when asked about the one player he’d buy a ticket to see.
He named Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, whom he dubbed the “Vice President of the big man alliance.” Jokic’s outstanding season has been a spectacle, leading the Nuggets to the top of the Western Conference with a stellar 51-21 record.
Ben Simmons’ Current Season Stats
- 15 games played
- 23.9 minutes per game
- 6.1 points per game
- 5.7 assists per game
- 7.9 rebounds per game
- 0.8 steals per game
- 0.6 blocks per game
- 58.1% field goal shooting
- 40% free throw shooting
Despite the banter, Simmons remains under contract with the Nets for one more year after this season. His lucrative five-year, $170 million deal, initially signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019, extends through the 2024-25 season with no options in the final year.
As Simmons navigates his injury rehabilitation, Shaq’s remarks add a humorous yet pointed perspective on the financial landscape of the NBA and the challenges of maintaining health in the league. With his future uncertain beyond his current contract, Simmons continues to be a topic of discussion both on and off the court.
