Shaquille O’Neal has once again voiced his frustrations with Ben Simmons, this time seemingly agreeing with fans calling for Simmons to consider retirement. The tipping point came during the Brooklyn Nets’ recent game against the New York Knicks, where Simmons delivered yet another lackluster performance, finishing with 0 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists on 0-3 shooting. The lowlight of the night was a fast-break play that epitomized Simmons’ struggles and drew heavy criticism.
In the opening moments of the game, Simmons secured a rebound and sprinted up the court. With the paint ahead of him clear except for Josh Hart and OG Anunoby—both good defenders but nowhere near Simmons’ size or length—the 6’10” forward inexplicably stopped short.
Rather than attacking the rim for a layup or dunk, Simmons hesitated, turned around, and passed the ball backward to Dorian Finney-Smith. The pass led to an extra pass that was intercepted, resulting in an easy dunk for Mikal Bridges.
The sequence only worsened for Simmons, as he proceeded to blow two easy layups on the next two possessions. Both times, Simmons appeared indecisive near the basket, lacking the confidence to finish through minimal contact. These missed opportunities further highlighted the stark decline in his offensive game and drew audible frustration from Nets fans in attendance.
A popular Instagram account, @basketballforever, posted a clip of this play with a scathing caption:
“If you wanna retire, just say it.”
Shaq joined the discussion by commenting with three fire emojis, implying that he agreed with the sentiment.
Simmons’ performance against the Knicks continued a troubling pattern this season. Through the first month, he is averaging career lows in points (5.3), rebounds (5.8), and field goal attempts, shooting just 55.6% on minimal attempts. He has not taken more than six shots in a single game, highlighting a deep-seated mental block when it comes to scoring.
Shaq’s criticism of Simmons is not new. Over the past year, O’Neal has been vocal about Simmons’ lack of aggressiveness and availability. He also criticized Simmons for allegedly exaggerating a back injury, which kept him out of action during the 2023-2024 season.
At just 28 years old, Simmons is far from the age most players consider retirement. However, his decline has been sharp and puzzling. Once a promising All-Star known for his defensive prowess and playmaking, Simmons now seems unable—or unwilling—to take the kind of risks necessary to succeed in the modern NBA. Fans and analysts alike have questioned whether Simmons still has the drive to overcome these challenges, or if he is content to coast through the remainder of his career.
While Shaq’s fire emojis may have been a joke, they reflect a growing frustration with Simmons’ lack of progress. For Simmons, the road to redemption appears increasingly narrow, and without a dramatic turnaround, his time in the NBA could come to an unceremonious end.
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