Shaquille O’Neal slams Brooklyn Nets star for $80 million and play 55 games

• Shaquille O’Neal recently delivered another brutal verdict on Ben Simmons
• The NBA Hall of Famer didn’t hold back as he talked about Simmons’ contract
• Simmons, who plays for the Brooklyn Nets, is set to sit out the remainder of the season

Shaquille O’Neal recently slammed NBA star Ben Simmons, telling the Brooklyn Nets star to “man up”.

This is not the first time Big Shaq is critical of the three-time All-Star guard as he has previously labelled Simmons a “crybaby” for his injury woes despite his huge contract with the nets.

Earlier this season, Simmons, 27, was ruled out for the rest of the campaign with what was termed as a “nerve impingement” on his lower back.

Despite the NBA superstar has been exploring treatments for his injury, it is highly unlikely that he will play again this season.

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This latest development has not impressed Shaquille, who went after Simmons on the latest episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq.

Co-host Adam Lefkoe asked Big Shaq the basketball player he would pay money to watch, prompting the retired star to mention the first name that popped on his mind.

“Ben Simmons because I'd wanna learn how you can make $80 million and play 55 games,” O'Neal quickly responded. “Teach me.”

O’Neil went on, “Teach me how you can play 55 games in three seasons and get $30m, $40m, and get another $40m just by saying your back hurt.”

'Get some Icy Hot, man up.”

Simmons for Brooklyn Nets this season

Ben Simmons has had a season to forget, playing just 15 games for the Nets this season, according to Marca.

He endured one of the longest streaks without playing in 2024, missing a staggering 38 games. A minor procedure (a microscopic partial discectomy) for his back did little to help him return to the court.

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The 2016 NBA Draft No.1 pick was signed by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2021/22 season from Philadelphia in exchange for James Harden but a series of injuries has limited him to just 57 games for his new side.

According to Fox Sports, Simmons averaged 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 15 games.

Jalen Green’s girlfriend in Arsenal shirt

Still on NBA news, another star who has been on the spot for the wrong reasons is Jalen Green.

The 21-year-old is expecting a child with Draya Michelle, who is 18 years his senior.

As Sports Brief reported, Draya recently confirmed the pregnancy, sharing snaps posing in an Arsenal shirt.