Known for his on-court dominance and outspoken personality, Shaquille O'Neal, the gigantic NBA legend, has once more made headlines with his harsh criticism. Ben Simmons, a point guard for the Brooklyn Nets, is the target this time. O'Neal recently talked about the worst NBA players with his son Myles and called Simmons a "bum" in a direct way. Simmons has been the target of Shaq's attacks before. Since Simmons' turbulent time with the Philadelphia 76ers, when he publicly clashed with the team and refused to shoot the basketball, their relationship has been frosty.
While the "bum" comment is ruthless, it's the character of the player O'Neal trusts holds the questionable title of "most terrible NBA player" that genuinely causes a commotion. Surprisingly, Shaq cited Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, as the league's weakest link.
"Rudy Gobert," Shaq said to his son after Myles asked who the worst player is in the NBA. "Ben Simmons is another bum," Shaq added.
"If you sign a contract for 250, show me 250. There's a reason why I talk funny or walk funny. Why I can't turn my neck ... Because I played for my 120," Shaq said.
O'Neal bases his argument on the offensive limitations of Gobert. While Gobert is a prevailing edge defender, his absence of hostile flexibility has been a disputed matter for certain experts. In today's fast-paced, offensively driven NBA, Gobert's inability to consistently score outside the paint and his struggles at the free throw line have led some to question his overall value on the court. This viewpoint is certain to stoke discussion. The defensive prowess of Gobert cannot be denied. He alters shots at the rim on a regular basis, which results in turnovers and discourages driving lanes. However, O'Neal's argument emphasizes the NBA's dynamic nature. The present game requests an all the more balanced range of abilities from enormous men, the capacity to extend the floor and contribute repulsively past putbacks and dunks.
Despite O'Neal's harsh remarks, Ben Simmons finds himself in a different circumstance. Simmons is a skilled passer and lockdown defender, but he rarely shoots the ball, which significantly limits his effectiveness. His struggles with the 76ers in the playoffs, particularly his reluctance to make shots late in the game, were a major factor in the team's failure.
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