Shaquille O’Neal takes ruthless shot at Ben Simmons, but it wasn’t all that surprising that he did it, considering their history.
Ben Simmons’ NBA 2K25 rating has reportedly been leaked, dropping to a purportedly low 66. While this may seem harsh to some, Shaquille O’Neal believes it should be even lower, as he candidly commented on a post revealing the leaked rating.
“Should be lower.”
Both Simmons and O’Neal share an alma mater in LSU and were first overall picks in their respective NBA drafts. However, their relationship has been anything but amicable. Tensions escalated in 2022 when O’Neal publicly criticized Simmons as “soft” during Simmons’ standoff with the Philadelphia 76ers over a trade request—a comment that clearly didn’t sit well with the young star at the time.
O’Neal later disclosed that Simmons angrily messaged him in response but did not elaborate on the contents of their conversation. The rift between them only seemed to deepen thereafter.
Despite occasional gestures that hinted at reconciliation, such as Shaquille O’Neal’s surprising prediction of Simmons winning the Most Improved Player award in 2024, their relationship remains contentious. Simmons’ season with the Brooklyn Nets in 2023-24 was marred by injuries, limiting him to just 15 games – a disappointment that O’Neal did not hold back from commenting on during his podcast:
“Ben Simmons, because I would want to learn how you can make $80M and play 55 games,” O’Neal remarked when asked about players he’d pay to watch live. “Teach me how you could play 55 games in three seasons and get $30 million, $40 million, and another $40 million.”
Simmons, a three-time All-Star, has played only 57 games over the past three seasons despite his substantial earnings. His diminishing playing time and impact on the court have contributed to the decline in his NBA 2K rating, reflecting his reduced statistical output in the 2023-24 season: averaging 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game.
As NBA 2K25 approaches, the controversy surrounding Simmons—both on and off the court—continues to fuel debates about his career trajectory and his standing in the league. While his financial status remains secure, the scrutiny over his performance and value persists, echoing in his digital representation in the popular video game franchise.
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