NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal was very critical of Ben Simmons for saying that he started feeling back pain and will not play in a crucial Game 4.
The Nets need all the help they can get as they are on the edge of elimination being doing 0-3 against the Celtics. Simmons who is yet to play a single game for Brooklyn was expected to step on the court in Game 4 but was ruled out due to renewed back pain.
According to O’Neal, he changed his mind after the Nets lost Game 3. He does not view the reported back pain as a valid excuse for the point guard to not play.
“In the hood we call this a punk move,” Shaq said on Inside the NBA on TNT. “You know, when things are going good ‘I’mma play in Game 4.’ Chuck said it, if you could play on Saturday, you can play on Monday. Now that they lost ‘My back hurt.’ Well if your back hurt, get some ice the hot obscenity.
“We call this a punk move. Listen, if you’re not ready to play, you will get more respect from the people if you just say ‘I’m not ready to play’ and don’t say anything else. Don’t be shooting and saying I’m coming back, I’m gonna do this, that. That was a punk move.
“Reggie [Miller] is absolutely right. If you’re not going to play, don’t say you’re gonna play. I think you should play. I think you should step up the challenge and try help your team win.
“But nope he with the punk move ‘Oh no I’m not gonna play, my back hurt.’ But we all know what that is. Ballers know what that is. Everybody else could be ‘Oh he’s not ready.’ But us guys that live this life know exactly what you’re doing buddy.”
Ahead of tonight’s game, the Nets are considered favorites amongst bookmakers, with NBA lines site Betway pricing Brooklyn at 1.90 to beat the Celtics. The NBA odds for Boston to win this game is at 2.00. Draw is 14.00.
