?I Don?t Give a Damn if Michael Jordan Is on Your Back?: Shaquille O?Neal Breaks Silence over Ben Simmons Incident

NBA legend Shaquille O?Neal has been one of the biggest critics of NBA star Ben Simmons in the last few months. The former Philadelphia 76ers guard had a great start to life in the league winning the Rookie of the Year award. Simmons is someone who could do it all given his size and handles. He could make any pass, grab rebounds, defend almost anyone, and run the offense at the same time. However, he is not a great shooter; and he knows it. The fans know it too. However, the fans could not comprehend when he gave up an open dunk opportunity in the playoffs last year.

To add salt to the wound, it was during a pivotal game-7 of the 2020-21 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals against the Atlanta Hawks. In a game as serious as game-7, a powerful slam could have given the team a lot of momentum. But the Sixers lost the game, and the Hawks advanced. And Simmons received a lot of criticism for passing up an open layup.

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However, this was just one incident in the last couple of years that Simmons was involved in. And Shaquille O’Neal has been open about his criticism of the All-Star. Recently, Simmons opened up about everything during a sit-down with NBA veteran JJ Reddick.

Shaquille O’Neal calls out Ben Simmons for his excuse

Ben Simmons claimed that he would have punched it had he known it was Trae Young coming for help. He even called out O’Neal during the podcast. And now the Big Diesel has responded. He initially talked about Simmons’ reasoning behind passing up an open layup.

Shaquille O’Neal said, “Spice knows this, that’s an excuse. I don’t give a damn if Michael Jordan is on your back. I don’t give a damn if it is T-Mac with Yao Ming and me is on your back. You throw it down, it’s the playoffs. You’re trying to advance. I don’t want to hear that.”

The Los Angeles Lakers legend did not want to hear any excuses from the superstar.

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Most people expected the #1 seeded Sixers to breeze past the Hawks. But the Hawks fought hard throughout the series. In game-7, with under four minutes remaining, the Hawks were in the lead by two points with the score 88-86. And Simmons had a great opportunity close to the basket after beating his man with a spin move for an open dunk.

Many expected Simmons would throw it down. But he did not and passed the ball to Matisse Thybulle who was fouled and sent to the charity stripes. The Hawks won the game 103-96 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.