Shaquille O’Neal Blasts Ben Simmons, Says He Should Be ‘Arrested’ for $250 Million Contract
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal didn’t hold back his criticism of Ben Simmons, saying the Clippers guard should be “arrested” for earning a $250 million contract without living up to the hype.
O’Neal Sounds off on State of NBA, Singles out Simmons
During a recent episode of “The Big Podcast,” O’Neal expressed his frustration with the current state of the NBA, suggesting the league has become “soft” and less competitive. While the Hall of Famer voiced general disappointment with players who he believes are overpaid and underperforming, he reserved his harshest words for Simmons.
Simmons’ Career Stumbles Draw O’Neal’s Ire
Simmons, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, initially showed promise, earning Rookie of the Year honors and three All-Star selections. However, his career has since been marred by struggles, including a holdout and trade demand from Philadelphia, citing mental health issues. After an unsuccessful stint with the Brooklyn Nets, he landed with the Clippers. This season, Simmons is averaging just 3.6 points and 3.4 assists in approximately 17 minutes per game.
O’Neal: Simmons is ‘Robbing the People’
“Ben Simmons needs to be arrested,” O’Neal stated emphatically. “250 million dollars for that bullshit? Get out of my face. He’s robbing the people.” According to Spotrac, Simmons has earned over $203 million in his career to date.
To what extent does Shaquille O’Neal’s criticism of Ben Simmons reflect a broader concern about player value and contracts in the modern NBA, as Shaq suggests the league is becoming “soft”?
Shaquille O’Neal Blasts Ben Simmons, says He Should Be ‘Arrested’ for $250 Million Contract
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal didn’t hold back his criticism of Ben Simmons, saying the Clippers guard should be “arrested” for earning a $250 million contract without living up to the hype.
O’Neal Sounds off on State of NBA, Singles out Simmons
During a recent episode of ”The Big Podcast,” O’Neal expressed his frustration with the current state of the NBA, suggesting the league has become “soft” and less competitive. While the Hall of Famer voiced general disappointment with players who he believes are overpaid and underperforming, he reserved his harshest words for Simmons.
Simmons’ Career Stumbles Draw O’Neal’s Ire
Simmons, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, initially showed promise, earning rookie of the Year honors and three All-Star selections. However, his career has since been marred by struggles, including a holdout and trade demand from Philadelphia, citing mental health issues. After an unsuccessful stint with the Brooklyn Nets, he landed with the Clippers.This season, simmons is averaging just 3.6 points and 3.4 assists in approximately 17 minutes per game.
O’Neal: Simmons is ‘Robbing the People’
“Ben Simmons needs to be arrested,” O’Neal stated emphatically. “250 million dollars for that bullshit? Get out of my face. He’s robbing the people.” According to Spotrac,Simmons has earned over $203 million in his career to date.
Q&A: Unpacking Shaq’s Simmons Rant
Why is Shaquille O’Neal so critical of Ben Simmons?
Shaq believes Simmons hasn’t lived up to his massive contract ($250 million) and isn’t performing at a level commensurate with his pay. He sees Simmons’ current stats, particularly the low scoring, as a sign of underperformance.
What’s ben Simmons’ current situation with the Los Angeles Clippers?
Simmons is currently playing for the Clippers. This season,he’s averaging around 3.6 points and 3.4 assists in about 17 minutes per game, a significant drop from his earlier All-Star form.
What was Ben simmons’ career like before joining the Clippers?
Simmons was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft and started strong, earning Rookie of the Year and three All-Star selections with the Philadelphia 76ers. However, he’s since dealt with mental health issues, a holdout, and trade demands, leading to a decline in his performance.
What does Shaq mean by “robbing the people”?
Shaq’s comment is a strong statement, suggesting that Simmons is not providing the value that his contract implies. He feels that fans are being shortchanged by Simmons’ underperformance.
What does this say about the NBA today?
Shaq believes the league has become “soft” and less competitive, suggesting that he sees a trend of players being overpaid and underperforming.This is his broader critique of the modern NBA.
Shaq’s strong words highlight the high expectations placed on NBA stars and the impact of performance on fan perception. It also sparks a debate about the balance between contract value and on-court contribution.