The LSU Basketball program has produced two first overall picks in the history of the program in Ben Simmons and Shaquille O'Neal. Despite all the similarities between the two and the bond of being former LSU stars, Shaquille O'Neal doesn't care much for Ben Simmons. Over the year's Shaquille O'Neal has used his platform to call out Ben Simmons countless times about several issues.
The past few weeks, Shaq and Charles Barkley have been all over the media as they've criticized the modern NBA. The criticism by Barkley and O'Neal has been that the modern style of basketball is much softer than the era the Hall of Famers played in.
On his latest episode of The Big Podcast hosted by Shaquille O'Neal and Adam Lefkoe, O'Neal went off about the modern era of the NBA and Ben Simmons got it the worst from Shaq.
"I’m just saying. Pick and roll, one on one — can’t play, dog. [Nikola Jokic] could play; [Giannis Antetokounmpo] could play; [Damian Lillard] — a couple of these guys could play, but a lot of these [expletive] can’t play. Like, Ben [expletive] Simmons, that [expletive] needs to be arrested."Shaquille O'Neal
Adam Lefkoe then asked Shaquille O'Neal about Jayson Tatum but, he bounced back to the Ben Simmons point.
"Jayson Tatum could play. He’s alright. I’m not going to bash him; but Ben Simmons need to be [expletive] arrested. [Two-hundred fifty million dollars] for that [expletive]?"Shaquille O'Neal
Adam Lefkoe then circled back asking O'Neal if he said arrested to which O'Neal once again exploded on Ben Simmons.
"Arrested. Two-hundred fifty million for that [expletive]? Get the [expletive] out my face. Robbing people, man. Can’t do that."Shaquille O'Neal
The full quote from "The Big Podcast with Shaq" can be seen here in a NSFW video.
“A lot of motherf***ers can’t play and they know it… Ben Simmons needs to be f***ing arrested.” 😳
— The Big Podcast (@bigpodwithshaq) April 4, 2025
Shaq on the physicality of today’s NBA pic.twitter.com/7JoKm1rImb
Unless there is a hidden reason for Shaquille O'Neal's hatred toward Ben Simmons, it feels as if the point he's making has gone a bit too far. Ben Simmons knows he hasn't lived up to the expectations especially after signing his massive contract extension and he's made it known publicly that he's struggled with mental health issues.
Ben Simmons has since tried to get his career back on track and while he hasn't returned to the superstar form that earned him that massive contract but, he's embraced his role as a depth piece on a playoff contender. Our hope is that the two can find some common ground and that Ben Simmons can return to his peak as no one wants to see two LSU greats on opposing sides.