'MAN UP'
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal launches into minute-long rant over Ben Simmons’ huge paydays and missed playing time
Ben Simmons has earned over $163 million during his NBA career
NBA icon Shaquille O'Neal has taken a less-than-subtle dig at Brooklyn Nets star Ben Simmons.
It has been another season to forget for Simmons, 27, who was ruled out for the remainder of the year in early March due to a back issue.
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Appearing on The Big Podcast With Shaq, the NBA Hall of Famer made the most of his opportunity to take a shot at the oft-injured Simmons.
When asked which stars he would pay to watch for the sake of entertainment, the four-time NBA champion responded with Simmons.
"Because I would want to learn how you can make $80 million and play 55 games," O'Neal quipped.
"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.
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"Get some f*****g Icy Hot. Man up."
Adam Lefkoe subsequently noted that he'd seen a meme that compared Simmons to a McDonald's ice cream machine given its proclivity to malfunction.
"He is," agreed O'Neal.
"There's a new movie coming out, Oceans 15, 'How To Rob The NBA,' starring Ben Simmons," he later added.
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Fans were quick to share their takes on O'Neal's shots on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"Shaq was right Ben Simmons is soft," one wrote.
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"He legit robbed the NBA," said a second.
"Shaq acting like he didn't miss games!!" another replied.
While a fourth joked, "Ben Simmons should be a case study by Havard Business School."
Selected first overall in the 2016 NBA Draft out of LSU by the Philadelphia 76ers, Simmons missed his rookie year with a foot injury.
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He returned in 2017, after which he was crowned Rookie of the Year.
During the next three seasons, Simmons was named an All-Star three times, All-Defensive First-Teamer twice, and led the league in steals once.
In 2019, he signed a five-year extension with the 76ers worth over $177 million.
Get some f*****g Icy Hot. Man up.
Shaquille O'Neal
However, his relationship with the team eventually fell apart, prompting him to hold out much of and ultimately miss all of the 2021 season.
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Traded to Brooklyn in 2022, Simmons missed much of the season through injuries, starting just 33 games.
This season, he made just 15 appearances before undergoing back surgery.
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