Shaquille O’Neal instructed Ben Simmons to “man up” after the Nets introduced earlier this month that the three-time All-Star guard wouldn’t play once more this season attributable to surgical procedure to handle a lingering again problem.
In the course of the newest installment of his present, “The Massive Podcast with Shaq,” the Corridor of Fame middle didn’t maintain again whereas discussing Simmons’ harm and contract state of affairs in Brooklyn.
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“Who’re the NBA gamers that you’d legitimately purchase a ticket for to go watch since you discover them entertaining,” co-host Adam Lefkoe requested to which O’Neal mentioned, “Ben Simmons.”
“As a result of I might need to study how one can make $80 million and play 55 video games. Educate me. Educate me how you might play 55 video games in three seasons and get $30 million, $40 million and get one other $40 million simply by saying your again harm. Get some f–king Icy Sizzling. Man up.”
O’Neal, who has been the face of Icy Sizzling for greater than 20 years, appeared severe whereas Lefkoe and Jamal Crawford, a former NBA player-turned-TNT analyst who was a visitor on the present, cringed and laughed.
Simmons was restricted to only 15 video games this season, together with a stretch of 38 consecutive missed video games at one level due to again points, amongst different minor accidents.
He underwent a microscopic partial discectomy to alleviate the nerve impingement in his decrease again, the Nets introduced on March 14.
‘How?! How did he try this?!’ | 00:35
Simmons, who has one yr and about $40 million (AU$61m) remaining on his contract, is predicted to make a full restoration in time for coaching camp subsequent season, the workforce mentioned.
The No. 1 choose within the 2016 NBA Draft, Simmons has performed in simply 57 video games for the reason that Nets acquired him in a blockbuster commerce with Philadelphia for James Harden on the deadline in the course of the 2021-22 season.
The 27-year-old had a microdiscectomy process to take away a small fragment of a herniated disc after the season 2021-22 season ended.
He then performed in simply 42 video games earlier than being shut down in the course of the 2022-23 attributable to a nerve impingement in his decrease again.
Simmons averaged 6.1 factors, 7.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 15 video games performed this season.
O’Neal has been essential of the purpose guard on a number of events.
He known as Simmons a “crybaby” and “gentle” after his standoff with the Sixers earlier than he was dealt to the Nets.
Brooklyn (28-45) is within the No. 11 spot within the Japanese Convention and can be out of the playoff race if the postseason began Friday.
This text initially appeared within the New York Publish and was republished with permission