Shaq: Ben Simmons 'said Some Things' Following Criticism

NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal made headlines last week for comments on Inside the NBA that were critical of 76ers All-Star Ben Simmons.

“I stay on big guys because I care about them. I want them to play a certain way; I want them to play at a certain level,” O'Neal said. The difference between [Joel Embiid] and his soft partner [Simmons] is [Embiid] can take criticism without being a crybaby, and he still wants to play,” O'Neal said.

O'Neal went on to add that he “didn't respect” Simmons.

Simmons has not played this season with Philadelphia as he looks to be traded from the franchise. O'Neal said Thursday that Simmons has reached out and has “said some things” following the Hall of Famer’s comments.

“Let me tell you why I'm pissed off,” O'Neal said on The Big Podcast with Shaq. “Magic [Johnson] paved the way for [Michael Jordan]. They wasn't making no money. [Jordan] paved the way for me to get all that bread I was getting. I paved the way for [Kevin] Garnett. Ben Simmons is messing the money up.

“First of all, they already think we're spoiled. They already think we don't deserve it. You're making $40 million, and the only reason you're not playing is because your coach called you out. You're making us look bad.”

"He acting like a baby.”@Shaq went IN on Ben Simmons and says the Sixers star DM'd him mad for comments Shaq recently made on @NBAonTNT  More on #TheBigPodcast: https://t.co/v263O0hCCc pic.twitter.com/LGl9dtOYHJ

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 3, 2022

O'Neal wouldn't get into the specifics of what was said, though, it seems as though any animosity between him and Simmons is not ending anytime soon.

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Published Feb 3, 2022 | Modified Feb 3, 2022MIKE MCDANIEL

Mike McDaniel is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated, where he has worked since January 2022. His work has been featured at InsideTheACC.com, SB Nation, FanSided and more. McDaniel hosts the Hokie Hangover Podcast, covering Virginia Tech athletics, as well as Basketball Conference: The ACC Football Podcast. Outside of work, he is a husband and father, and an avid golfer.

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