Shaq Explodes Over Ben Simmons and Modern NBA Softness
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Let me tell you, Shaquille O’Neal did not hold back this week — and when Shaq talks, the whole NBA world listens. On a recent episode of The Big Podcast , he absolutely torched the current state of the league and aimed some serious heat at none other than Ben Simmons. And when I say torched, I mean he went off . The man literally said Ben Simmons should be “f–king arrested” — yeah, arrested — for what he called "robbing people" with his massive contract and lackluster performances.
Now, for context, Simmons was once the No. 1 overall pick back in 2016. He hit the league strong, Rookie of the Year, multiple All-Star appearances, big promise, big plays. But over time, the injuries started piling up, the performances dropped, and the numbers just haven’t been the same. Fast-forward to now — he’s on the Clippers, barely averaging over three points and assists per game in limited minutes. Yet somehow, the man’s career earnings have topped $200 million. You can see why Shaq, a guy who played in an era where you had to earn every bit of your paycheck through blood, sweat, and body checks, would be furious.
Shaq wasn’t just firing shots at Simmons, though. He took a broader swing at the modern NBA, calling today’s product, and I quote, “s–t.” According to him, the game’s lost its edge. He says too many players today wouldn’t last a minute in the era of 1990s and early 2000s basketball — when things were physical, intense, and gritty. He even said, “You want me to give these motherf–kers the same props you giving them? That s–t will never happen.” It's classic Shaq — raw, unfiltered, and straight from the heart.
But it wasn’t all negativity. Shaq did show love to a few current stars who he feels do live up to the legacy of the old days — players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Damian Lillard, and Jayson Tatum. Those guys, in his eyes, still bring that fire and toughness that made basketball what it used to be.
Still, the focal point of his rant — and really the part that caught everyone's attention — was Simmons. And let’s be honest, when you’re being paid like a superstar and delivering stats that barely make a dent, criticism is gonna come. Harsh? Maybe. But in Shaq’s world, you can’t coast on past hype forever. You’ve gotta show up, play hard, and earn your respect — something he believes Simmons simply hasn’t done in years.
So yeah, Shaq lit a match under the NBA with this one, and whether you agree with him or not, the conversation about toughness, value, and legacy in basketball just got a lot louder.
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