Shaq Rips Chronically Injured Ben Simmons: 'Man Up!'

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The Brooklyn Nets have officially ruled out Ben Simmons for the rest of the season. And Shaquille O'Neal isn't even mad — he's actually kind of impressed.

On the latest episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq, the Hall of Fame center expressed utter disbelief that Simmons makes so much money while playing so little. The conversation started when co-host Adam Lefkoe asked, "Who are the NBA players that you would legitimately buy a ticket for to go watch because you find them entertaining?"

Without hesitation, Shaq answered, "Ben Simmons."

"Because I would want to learn how you can make $80 million and play 55 games. Teach me," Shaq said. "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-cking Icy Hot. Man up."

Nice little plug from the face of Icy Hot himself.

Shaq is not wrong, though.

The No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft was limited to just 15 games this season because of back issues, and he underwent a microscopic partial discectomy to alleviate the nerve impingement in his lower back on March 14. It was Simmons' second back surgery in three years. In fact, the 27-year-old has played in just 57 games since the Nets acquired him in a blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia 76ers for James Harden during the 2021-22 season.

But Brooklyn knew he was injury-prone before the trade. He dealt with back and knee problems — which eventually required surgery — throughout the 2019-20 season and didn't play at all his rookie year, thanks to a right foot fracture he suffered during a preseason scrimmage.

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Simmons, who has one year and about $40 million remaining on his contract, averaged 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 15 games played this season. According to the Nets, he's expected to make a full recovery in time for 2024 training camp.

Shaq will believe that when he sees it.