Shaquille O'Neal mocks Ben Simmons for his unsatisfactory performance & fouling out in 2 of 5 games: “I'm sick of watching Ben Simmons play… I'm gonna be on his a** all year”
Shaquille O'Neal and Ben Simmons' beef will likely not go away in the foreseeable future. Shaq and the Brooklyn Nets point guard traded shots a couple of weeks ago and it seems the rift isn’t healing any time soon.
On “The Big Podcast with Shaq,” the legendary big man took another dig at the struggling former NBA All-Star:
“I was sick. I'm sick of watching Ben Simmons play. Five points, eight rebounds and another fouled-out game, way to go Ben. I'm gonna be on his a** all year. Ben Simmons has played three games this season, he's fouled out in two of them. Seventeen points and 14 fouls this season, way to go Ben.”
Ben Simmons has 17 points and 14 fouls this season...
He's fouled out in 2/3 games he's played in https://t.co/048AWiNHs4
The game Shaquille O'Neal was referring to was against the Memphis Grizzlies, where Simmons finished with seven instead of five points and had eight assists and three rebounds. The Brooklyn Nets were outscored by 16 points in Simmons’ 28 minutes of game time, which underlined how bad that game was for him.
The former Philadelphia 76ers star ended his horrific night with a controversial foul he committed against Ja Morant. Memphis’ wily playmaker baited Simmons to lunge for the ball when Morant was looking at the Grizzlies' bench. The two players bumped into each other before the Nets’ star was called for his sixth and final foul.
Shaquille O'Neal mentioned Simmons' season debut in his podcast to throw shade at the Nets star. The four-time champ ripped the Australian following his return after sitting out last season. Shaq specifically mentioned Simmons’ four points, five rebounds and five assists before fouling out against the New Orleans Pelicans.
In the three games, the Nets’ former Rookie of the Year winner scored 17 points, dished out 21 assists and committed 14 fouls. He fouled out in two of Brooklyn’s first three games.
Had the latest episode of the podcast included the Brooklyn Nets’ last game, Shaquille O'Neal would surely have taken another shot at Simmons. The Nets lost to fall 1-3 for the season despite leading for most of the way against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Through 4 games, Ben Simmons almost has as many fouls as he does points. 😬 https://t.co/x5icakQj7B
Ben Simmons had another four-point outing to go with five rebounds, nine assists, two steals and a block. Simmons, who guarded Giannis Antetokounmpo for stretches, couldn’t contain “The Greek Freak” in the second half.
It was a game that Shaquille O'Neal could have easily used to lambast Simmons’ up-and-down season so far.
Shaquille O'Neal is mentioning the obvious that Ben Simmons is struggling
In a sport where the slightest of weaknesses will be taken advantage of, Ben Simmons’ has been at a huge disadvantage. Before this season, the Australian star last played in the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks.
It was a series that was so traumatic for Simmons that he may never completely get over it.
After being sidelined for more than a year, the former Philly point guard is out of rhythm and is still looking for his form. He had back surgery in the offseason and could still be adjusting to his return to elite basketball.
"You guys keep coming in here and asking me, 'What about Ben? What about Ben?' He hasn't played in two years. Give him a f***ing chance. ... We're just here to give him positive affirmations."
—Kyrie Irving on Ben Simmons https://t.co/AnvMrYoA2W
As Shaquille O'Neal predicted months ago, the biggest hurdle for Ben Simmons will probably be on the mental side. He has to relearn to trust himself and see what he can do as a player. Simmons has shown flashes of his old self but has largely reverted to the terrified player who hardly looks at the rim.
Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash and superstars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant are exercising patience regarding Simmons’ situation. They want him to take his time adjusting to everything basketball.
Simmons may be physically great already, but unless the mental side of the equation improves, the old Ben Simmons may never surface again.