NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal says Australian Ben Simmons wasn’t impressed with some recent feedback surrounding his standoff with the Philadelphia 76ers.
O’Neal last week labelled the three-time All-Star a “cry baby” for the way he’s handled his trade situation with the 76ers.
The 2021-22 NBA regular season is now more than 50 per cent complete, and Simmons – who has requested a trade out of Philadelphia – is yet to make his return to the court due to mental health reasons.
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The four-time NBA champion revealed his criticism left Simmons clapping back on social media.
“He kinda got in my DM and said some things, and I said some things back,” he said on The Big Podcast With Shaq.
“All I said [last week] is, ‘You’re leaving your man [Joel Embiid] out there, you need to play.’ That’s all I said.”
O’Neal was pressed by his co-hosts on what was said but refused to specify.
The pair do hold a special connection having both played college basketball with the LSU Tigers.
“He said some things, but I’m not going to elaborate on what he said because that’s not cool. He was mad,” he added.
“He was probably mad because I’m his LSU brother, and I am. I’m still his brother.”
While Simmons has made it clear that he’s not mentally ready to return to the court, he’s totalled more than $26 million in fines since the season began for not being with the team.
He currently risks losing a further $16 million if he continues to stay away from the team and not fulfil his responsibilities for the rest of the season according to an ESPN report.
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