‘Man up’: Shaq tears $61m Aussie ‘crybaby’ apart in savage takedown
Shaquille O’Neal advised 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 resulting from surgical procedure to handle a lingering again subject.
During the most recent installment of his present, “The Big Podcast with Shaq,” the Hall of Fame heart didn’t maintain again whereas discussing Simmons’ harm and contract state of affairs in Brooklyn.
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“Who are the NBA players that you would legitimately buy a ticket for to go watch because you find them entertaining,” co-host Adam Lefkoe requested to which O’Neal mentioned, “Ben Simmons.”
“Because I would want to learn how you can make $80 million and play 55 games. Teach me. Teach me how you could play 55 games in three seasons and get $30 million, $40 million and get another $40 million just by saying your back hurt. Get some f–king Icy Hot. Man up.”
O’Neal, who has been the face of Icy Hot 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 simply 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 do this?!’ | 00:35
Simmons, who has one 12 months 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 throughout 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 throughout the 2022-23 resulting from 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 vital of the purpose guard on just a few events.
He known as Simmons a “crybaby” and “soft” 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 Eastern Conference and could be out of the playoff race if the postseason began Friday.
This article initially appeared within the New York Post and was republished with permission
