When Shaquille O’Neal speaks, the basketball world listens—even if the message comes wrapped in a few fire emojis and a whole lot of blunt truth. On a recent episode of The Big Podcast, Shaq sat down with comedian Roy Wood Jr. and let loose on the state of the modern NBA… and, uh, let’s just say he’s not exactly handing out participation trophies.
“You want me to give these motherf–kers the same props you giving them? That s–t will never happen,” Shaq said when asked about the difference in physicality between LeBron’s era and the bruising battles of the ‘90s and 2000s. “You can call it hate if you want.”
Tell us how you really feel, Big Fella.
The Hall of Famer—who earned his bruises and banners the hard way—did give credit to a few modern stars. Giannis. Jokic. Tatum. Lillard. “They can play,” he said. But for most of today’s game? Shaq says the product just doesn’t measure up. “People get mad. It’s just a product of what I’ve seen,” he explained. “I’ve seen what greatness is, been there, played with ’em. I don’t see that all the time over here.”
And that was before the topic turned to Ben Simmons. That’s when the Diesel really revved the engine.
“Ben Simmons [needs] to be f–king arrested. $250 [million] for that bulls–t? Get the f–k out of my face. Robbing people, man. You can’t do that.”
Yikes!
Simmons, who came into the league in 2016 as the No. 1 overall pick, once looked like the future. Rookie of the Year. Three-time All-Star. A max contract extension worth $170 million with the Sixers. But injuries, inconsistencies, and a high-profile trade to Brooklyn stalled that momentum hard. After limited playing time with the Nets, Simmons was bought out earlier this year and eventually signed with the Clippers.
So far in LA, he’s suited up for 17 games, averaging just 3.6 points and 3.4 assists in 17.5 minutes per game—not exactly All-Star numbers for someone who’s reportedly banked over $203 million in career earnings.
To his credit, Simmons recently told The New York Post that he feels much more comfortable in Los Angeles. “Feels like home, honestly,” Simmons said. “Being in LA, I feel like me as a person, it’s my kind of scenery… I’m happy where I’m at.”
But that’s not quite enough to satisfy O’Neal, who has always held young players—especially big ones—to a sky-high standard. And who can blame him? We’re talking about a guy who led the Lakers to three straight championships, earned a league MVP, and bullied opposing centers into submission like it was his job (because, well, it was).
Shaq’s not saying you can’t ball in today’s NBA—he’s just saying you better earn it.
And as for Ben Simmons?
Let’s just say he’s not getting a Diesel stamp of approval anytime soon.