The Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, has always been blunt and straightforward with his criticisms and analysis of the game. The 4x NBA champion a few months back criticized Ben Simmons for dressing up and wearing a $300K Gucci chain.

Similarly, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith had comments about Simmons’ dirty laundry and lack of playing time. The criticism by Smith was amplified by the Big Man by sharing it with 32 million fans.

This gesture speaks volumes about their shared perspectives, signaling an unapologetic pursuit of honesty in scrutinizing athletes’ performance.

Shared perspective: Shaquille O’Neal  and Stephen A. Smith

Shaquille O’Neal, after his retirement in 2011, jumped on to become a sports analyst. The 7’1 Los Angeles Lakers legend, with his blunt and unfiltered analysis of the game, has made him one of the most famous TV hosts. Apart from all the banter with Charles Barkley, the Big Man always dishes out facts. Having first-hand experience as a player and then an analyst gives you a unique insight into the game. 

Recently, Shaq shared a post by his fellow sports analyst, Stephen A. Smith. The content of the post is a video of criticism and analysis of an NBA player. Sharing Smith’s post on his own Instagram, Shaq effectively confirmed Smith’s assertion.

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Smith expressed his frustration with Brooklyn Nets player Ben Simmons’ non-participation in the video. The videos serve as a rebuttal to Simmons’ latest claim that he is feeling better than ever and is ready to crush the league.

The 55-year-old veteran sports analyst, even though he likes Simmons, ranted about him and called him “trifling as h*ll.” 

In the video, Smith announces his “problem” with Simmons and dismisses him as unimportant to the  NBA. 

“He’s talking before he actually does. This brother has been basketball’s version of Mr.Irrelevant for the last two years.”

Smith goes on to criticize Simmons for earning big money and not living up to it. 

“He always makes sure he gets his money. He’s never so disillusioned or foggy that he forgets when that check gets deposited.” 

Smith, just like his fellow analyst, Shaq, criticized Simmons for dressing flashily, yet spending much of his time on the bench. 

“Sitting on a bench in orange one week, yellow another…looking like a male model.”

However, in the end, Smith claims that Simmons is a “tremendous basketball player” but not a good competitor. 

The Gucci chain saga

Shaquille O’Neal, as good as he can be, can never stomach dishonesty and disparity. A few months ago, Shaq criticized the Brooklyn Nets star, Ben Simmons, for wearing a $300K Gucci chain while sitting on the bench. Simmons’ history and struggle with mental illness were comforted by all of the NBA and the fans at that time, but Shaq could not wrap his head around the reason for wearing such an expensive item while being on the bench. 

 “I can understand you have anxiety in the game. But when you are not playing and sitting on the bench, and you know $300,000 Gucci and big chains and rings. Do you have anxiety, then? That’s all I wanna know…”

What are your opinions on the story? Do let us know in the comments below.

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