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Order ‘An Evening with Shaquille O’Neal’ PPV – Uncensored Interview Live On Stage Australia 19:30 AEST 25 August on Kayo Sports and Foxtel Main Event
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal wants Ben Simmons to realize his success, but says it’s ultimately “up to him” to restart his career.
Simmons’ NBA career began with him being heralded as the next LeBron James, but is now best known for his poor showing in the 2021 playoffs and his midseason hold on the Philadelphia 76ers when he tried to exchange.
He was eventually moved to the Brooklyn Nets in a saga that saw him regularly grilled by four-time NBA champion O’Neill, who is in Australia for a live on-stage interview on Thursday (7pm AEST), which could be ordered on Main Event, Kayo Sports or Foxtel.
Speaking of Herald Sun before the sold-out “An Evening with Shaquille O’Neal” presented by The Hour Group, the former NBA MVP said Simmons is a “good player” he wishes well but won’t back down from his criticism.
“He’s had personal issues, but I want him to succeed, and I’ve been tough on him because I feel like, as an elder statesman, that’s my job,” O’Neill said.
“I know what it takes to get to the top, top, top, and this guy knows what it takes to be great.”
He added: “He’s had some personal issues and I don’t like to measure them, so I wish him well and hopefully he can come back strong.”
In January, O’Neill called Simmons “weepy” and said he had lost all respect for the Australian because he did not take constructive criticism.
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Later, with Simmons sitting on the sideline for the Nets, O’Neal expressed doubt about the extent of the point guard’s back injury.
“We call it the punk move,” he said at the time. “Look, if you’re not ready to play, you’ll get more respect from people if you just say, ‘I’m not ready to play,’ and don’t say anything else. Don’t shoot and say, “I’m coming back.” … If you’re not going to play, don’t say you’re going to play.”
Meanwhile, O’Neal told the outlet that he would speak with NBA commissioner Adam Silver about hosting a game in Australia.
He said that since basketball is a “global game,” the United States should not have a monopoly on NBA games.
“I’ll ask him about Australia and I won’t speak for Mr Silver, but it will,” O’Neill told Herald Sun.
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