"You Ain't That Damn Good!": Shaq to Ben Simmons

NBA on TNT Hall of Famers Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley are tired of  Ben Simmons' antics, and as usual they're not shy to voice their opinions. Simmons has demanded a trade, and has said he will not report to training camp at the end of this month. 

Shaq says he's getting bad advice: "You hear from your followers how great you are. But.... You ain't that damn good!"

Shaq and Chuck share their thoughts on Ben Simmons' reported trade request from Philly 👀

More on the full episode of #TheBigPodcast: https://t.co/ZnXR6KPvnj pic.twitter.com/UvHj6OU4iU

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) September 9, 2021

"That man was terrified," Shaq continued, referring to Simmons' refusal to shoot the ball in the 4th quarter of playoff games, and of course the infamous moment when he passed up a wide open dunk, afraid to get fouled and have to make free throws. 

Shaq's old rival on the floor and in the NBA on TNT studio, Barkley, was equally critical: "I'm disappointed in Ben Simmons. When you give somebody $200 million dollars to dribble a stupid basketball, and the only thing you ask them is to be better as a player, and their first response is 'I don't wanna play here anymore', that disappoints me as a player, it disappoints me as a fan."

Shaq followed him up: "You're not great.... To be great, you have to work on your game. Don't be puttin' pictures on your Instagram of your Ferrari or what actress you're hanging around with....(fans) don't give a sh*t about none of that. They want you to come and play hard and work hard."

Things should start to come to a head in short order, as the Sixers could fine him up to $1.3 million dollars if he skips training camp. Simmons' message is that he's fully "prepared" for the hefty hit to his pocketbook. 

Photo Credit: Jefferson Graham via Imagn Content Services, LLC