Shaquille O’Neal threw a Diesel-sized haymaker at NBA player Ben Simmons regarding the Brooklyn Nets point guard’s penchant for getting injured.
Earlier this month, the Nets announced they were shutting Simmons down for the season due to a chronic back issue that limited him to just 15 games.
That total means he’s played in an average of 43 games per season in the last four he’s actually participated in. That’s just over half of an entire NBA season.
Simmons sat out the entire 2021-22 campaign in part because of a back injury. Anthony Rendon thinks he takes too many days off.
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Ben Simmons Is In Shaq’s Sights
Simmons is blessed with talent. Of that, there is no doubt. NBA Rookie of the Year. Three-time All-Star.
Consequently, it’s no surprise that his name surfaced when O’Neal was asked this question by Adam Lefkoe during an episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq:
“Who are the NBA players that you would legitimately buy a ticket for to go watch because you find them entertaining.”
Adam Lefkoe
Shaq replied quickly, “Ben Simmons.” Just not for any of the reasons one would think.
Shaq is inspired by Ben Simmons
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 28, 2024
“I'd wanna learn how you can make $80 million and play 55 games. Teach me.”
(🎥 @bigpodwithshaq / https://t.co/5clxBNeewE) pic.twitter.com/djTeHnkzU3
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‘Get Some Icy Hot’
Shaq, it seems, would like to know how Ben Simmons keeps getting paid despite rarely being on the court.
“I would want to learn how you can make $80 million and play 55 games,” O’Neal wonders. “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–king Icy Hot,” he concludes. “Man up.”
That is just savage. Absolutely savage.
Ben Simmons, who is just 27 years old, has a $40.3 million expiring contract for the 2024-25 season.
He can obviously buy a lot of Icy Hot.
