Shaquille O'Neal calls Ben Simmons a 'bum' while picking $205 million star as 'worst NBA player'
Shaquille O'Neal considers $205 million star Rudy Gobert the worst player in the NBA. Not just him, but the "Big Diesel" also rates Ben Simmons similarly. Shaq didn't mince words on the two former All-Stars during a one-on-one interaction with his son, Myles O'Neal, for Complex.
"Rudy Gobert," Shaq told his son after Myles asked who the worst player is in the NBA.
Myles expected the answer from his father and he couldn't help but ask about Shaq's views on Simmons.
"Ben Simmons is another bum," Shaq said.
Shaq, known for his blunt takes, explained to his son why he's not a fan of Gobert, saying he's not living up to his $205 million contract, which he signed in 2020-21.
"If you sign a contract for 250, show me 250," Shaq said. "There's a reason why I talk funny or walk funny. Why I can't turn my neck ... Because I played for my 120."
The former Lakers superstar was referring to the injury-prone end to his career after signing lucrative deals up to $120 million during his heyday.
"You got guys like him [Gobert] that f**k the system over there, making all this money and they can't f**king play. So I don't respect guys like that."
Rudy Gobert is a four-time Defensive Player of the Year and a three-time NBA All-Star. However, the Frenchman is criticized for his subpar offense and perimeter defense, especially during the playoffs. There have been instances where he was the weak link for his team in the postseason, prompting greats like Shaquille O'Neal to call him out frequently.
Shaquille O'Neal has no love lost for Rudy Gobert and Ben Simmons
Shaquille O'Neal has quite the history with former All-Stars Rudy Gobert and Ben Simmons. The NBA legend has openly criticized the two multiple times in the past. He most recently took a shot at Gobert when he shared a photoshopped pic of the Minnesota Timberwolves center in a cashier's uniform.
The post hinted at Gobert's potential career if he wasn't 7-feet tall. Shaq shared that amid Gobert's lack of contribution to France's group stage win against Brazil in the 2024 Paris Olympics basketball event on July 27.
Prior to that, Shaq had called Gobert out on his contract again, saying he doesn't think the Timberwolves star is a solid defensive player.
“I never thought he was a great defensive player, either," O'Neal said (via The Big Podcast). "See, what it is, is there’s not a lot of centers that are making him play defense. Like, he’s not doing that s--- against [Nikola Jokić], because he has to be engaged. But when he’s going against another guy, he’s 7' 6", of course if you lay it up he’s going to block it."
(2:23 onwards)
Meanwhile, Ben Simmons faced Shaquille O'Neal's ire over not playing enough games since the 2020-21 season. Simmons has dealt with a standoff with the Sixers since then, followed by a lingering back issue, which has limited him to 57 games in three years. Shaq has gone on record, calling Simmons 'soft,' on TNT's "Inside The NBA," while saying he doesn't respect him.