NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal gave his thoughts on the Philadelphia 76ers duo of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. According to the four-time NBA champion, the latter, unlike the former, is soft and cannot take criticism.
Shaq pointed at the fact that Simmons is sitting out this whole season because of the way that head coach Doc Rivers answered a question whether the Sixers can win without the Australian point guard.
“The difference between (Embiid) & his soft partner is he can take criticism without being a crybaby…Great players step up to the criticism & perform. So this other guy, I don’t respect him. I would get rid of him,” O’Neal said on TNT, via Ballislife.
Several teams expressed their interest in acquiring Simmons before the February 10 trade deadline but Philadelphia’s asking price appears to be too steep for the deal to materialize.
Furthermore, the Sixers are reportedly prepared to continue the season without their star and try finding a better trade during offseason.
