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Shaquille O’Neal Takes Massive Shots at Ben Simmons While Appreciating Joel Embiid: “Can Take Criticism Without Being a Crybaby”

Published 01/27/2022, 11:57 PM EST

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Shaquille O’Neal gave huge props to Joel Embiid in a recent comment on Inside the NBA by TNT. Shaq spoke about the difference between Philadelphia 76ers teammates Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. Elucidating on Embiid’s dominance, he vocalized his criticism for the Australian guard.

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Additionally, he stated that he is aware he tries to push the big guys towards becoming better. “I want them to play at a certain level”, he said. Charles Barkley and Shaq have spoken to Embiid about his potential before and they have seen him improve. He remarked, “Me and Charles, we been on him. We stay on him. We tell him to face what he needs to do.” 

Furthermore, elaborating on Embiid’s attitude of criticism, in contrast with Simmons, he said, “He didn’t cry, he didn’t say a word to be traded, he didn’t complain about mistreatment. And that’s why I like and respect him. The other guy [Simmons] I don’t respect”.

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Shaq also had some observations on the reason behind all the Ben Simmons drama. Particularly, he voiced his disappointment in Simmons, “You’re missing a whole season because they asked your coach a question ‘Can we win without you [Simmons]?’ and your coach gave a funny answer”. 

Accordingly, Shaq believes getting upset about some remark by one’s coach should only motivate one to work harder in the summer.

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Joel Embiid- the greatest big man of 76ers?

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Joel Embiid and the Sixers have been performing well in spite of missing their star guard, Ben Simmons. The 76ers are tied with the Nets at 29 wins and 19 losses, after their win tonight versus the Lakers. Notably, the Lakers were missing LeBron James however, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook were given enough playing time to compensate for the same.

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Embiid finished with 26 points, dished out 7 dimes, and cleaned the glass 9 times in today’s game. Further, he has overtaken Sixers legend Moses Malone on the Sixers’ all-time points list with 7,512. Also, it was announced today that Embiid will take part in the All-Star weekend as part of the starting roster. Recently, his name is also coming up increasingly in the MVP race for the 2021-22 season.

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Will Embiid and the 76ers reach the Conference finals again? Let us know what you think in the comments.

Watch this next: Shaquille O’Neal on Andrew Wiggins’ Shocking NBA All-Star Nomination: “They Taught Him How to Be a Winner… I Want to Congratulate Him”

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Written by:

Parshva Chandok

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Parshva Chandok is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. He is a 5th-year law student and has previously interned at Twenty-First Century Pvt. Ltd.
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