The NBA is popular worldwide. Not just in America. Shaquille O’Neal had some thoughts on the league. The league’s popularity could be attributed to the league expansion, the league’s star power, and the league’s push for marketing. Although the NBA’s ratings decreased in recent years, NBA fans still pack the arenas. The positives outweigh the negatives, but like everything else, there’s negativity from the general public. Here’s why NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, also known as Shaq, had tough words for the NBA on “The Big Podcast with Shaq.”
NBA Legend Weighs In
Basketball Hall of Famer and NBA analyst Shaquille O’Neal weighed in on Los Angeles Clippers Point Guard Ben Simmons in the latest episode of “The Big Podcast with Shaq” on Friday, April 4. O’Neal was joined by comedian and television personality Roy Wood Jr. The duo prank-called Basketball Hall of Famer and NBA analyst Charles Barkley and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith.
O’Neal, 53, said on his show, “People get mad. It’s just a product of what I’ve seen … I’ve seen what greatness is, been there, played with them. I don’t see that all the time over there. So, you want me to give these mother—-rs the same props you giving them? That s— will never happen. You can call it hate if you want.
“Even with the word ‘hate,‘ like these f—–g kids, they like to throw that word around. If you ain’t f—–g great and I’m great, how the f— can I hate on you? That don’t make no f—–g sense. I’m in the f—–g building, and you not in the building, so how the f— can I hate on you?”
Shaquille O’Neal Sounds Off
O’Neal said he wants to see “greatness on the court” and lamented “a lot of these mother—ers can’t play.” O’Neal then pointed to Los Angeles Clippers Point Guard Ben Simmons, a three-time NBA All-Star with a career marred by injuries. Simmons, 28, averaged 14.3 points per game with the Philadelphia 76ers but hasn’t averaged in double-figures since.
O’Neal said on his show, “Ben f—ing Simmons, that mother—er needs to be arrested. Jayson Tatum can play. He’s alright. I’m not going to bash him. But Ben Simmons needs to be f—–g arrested. ($250 million) for that bull—- Get the f— out of my face. Robbing people, man. You can’t do that.”
O’Neal’s use of the word “arrested” is meant as a figure of speech. Simmons hasn’t committed a crime or been accused of a crime. O’Neal serves as a reserve police officer for the Miami Beach Police Department. He has taken on patrol duties and engaged in community outreach programs in South Florida.
Final Thoughts
The current state of the NBA has been attracting attention from top to bottom. The NBA’s ratings have decreased in recent years, despite the NBA being one of the most popular sports leagues. There have been fewer interesting matchups with the rise in uncertainty due to star players not being available due to injuries, such as Philadelphia 76ers Center Joel Embiid. Even Boston Celtics Head Coach Joe Mazzulla said he’d “rather something else.”
The NBA’s ratings can certainly rise, but it’s unclear when. For now, the NBA has reduced commercials during game broadcasts. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has suggested shorter games with four 10-minute quarters for a total of 40 minutes.
