via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 23: Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal attends the unveiling of the Shaq Courts at the Doolittle Complex donated by Icy Hot and the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation in partnership with the city of Las Vegas on October 23, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Icy Hot)
via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 23: Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal attends the unveiling of the Shaq Courts at the Doolittle Complex donated by Icy Hot and the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation in partnership with the city of Las Vegas on October 23, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Icy Hot)
Shaquille O’Neal gave his opinions on the Ben Simmons trade to Brooklyn Nets on NBA on TNT. The trade was extremely unexpected. However, it was widely speculated. Ben Simmons was traded to the Nets for James Harden. The Nets have taken a huge risk by signing Ben Simmons as he is not a consistent player.
Read More: REPORTS: Brooklyn Nets Demand 2 Players With Ben Simmons to Seal James Harden Trade
Ben Simmons has not played a single game this season. Simmons was one of the rising young stars of the league, up until last year. Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers had an unsuccessful playoff run last season. They did decently well in the regular season. However, the team choked in playoffs and was unable to seal a victory. The Atlanta Hawks led by Trae Young eliminated the Sixers.
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During last season’s playoff run, Ben Simmons managed a bad shooting percentage. His coach and the entire team called him out on it. In addition, the fans started critiquing him and sending hate messages. With all this, he could not cope up and eventually refused to play.
Simmons has been looking for a trade ever since that incident. However, Shaq questions that what is the possibility that this won’t happen again. Shaq asks “But the question is, if this problem arise again, what is he gonna do?”. Shaq himself had a very bad free-throw shooting percentage throughout his career. He revealed that he got hate letters and emails throughout his career. “If this situation ever comes again I hope he has a tough enough mental fortitude,” said Shaq.
Can Ben Simmons impact the Nets in a positive way?
Ben Simmons has always lacked in the area of shooting the ball. However, he was still one of the most promising players in the league. He is built like a tank. He is tall and extremely healthy. Simmons used to aggressively drive to the rim.
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USA Today via Reuters
Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons (25) reacts after the basket during the first quarter against the Washington Wizards during game four in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
He knows how to use his speed and athleticism. Whatever he lacks in terms of offense, he makes up for it on the defensive end. Simmons was an extremely good defensive player. Additionally, his basketball IQ is very well developed. This makes him a good playmaker.
READ MORE: Shaquille O’Neal Addresses Recent Comments About Mental Health And Ben Simmons
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Ben Simmons is a versatile player. He will play well with legends like Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. Moreover, he will get a huge room to grow and improve. The new Nets trio could be deadly if Simmons learns how to handle negative criticism in a healthy manner.
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