NBA legends have mocked Ben Simmons as 'not that good' as the Australian NBA star looks to turn his back on his team despite signing a US$200 million contract.
The Philadelphia point guard has been basted by fans, media, and ex-players after the 76ers crashed out of the playoffs largely thanks to his disappointing play.
Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley ripped into the Australian who requested a trade just a year after signing a massive contract extension with Philadelphia.
'Ben Simmons, you're not that good,' O'Neal said on the Big Podcast.
'In this league, do you want to be good? Or do you want to be great? You're not great. But if you want to get to that next level, you have to be great, and to be great, you have to work on your game.'
Ben Simmons has been slammed as 'not that good' by NBA legends as the Australian NBA star looks to turn his back on his team despite signing a US$200million contract
Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley ripped into the Aussie who was hugely disappointing in the playoffs as Philadelphia crashed out in the Eastern Conference semi-finals
The Philadelphia point guard has been lambasted by fans, media and ex-players after the 76ers crashed out of the playoffs largely thanks to the disappointing play of Simmons
Simmons has been criticised for his work ethic over his career, spending his time off on yachts in Europe with ex-girlfriend Kendall Jenner while other stars improved their game.
'Don't be putting pictures up on your Instagram of your Ferrari or what actress you're hanging around with,' O'Neal said.
'When you play for a town like Philadelphia, Boston, LA, Miami - hard-working towns, they don't give a s**t about none of that.
'They want you to come work hard and play hard.'
Barkley said he was 'disappointed' Simmons accepted the US$200 million extension then wanting to leave the team after only one season.
The 25-year-old had been strongly linked with a move away from 76ers after their unceremonious exit from the playoffs, with Portland, Golden State and Minnesota all failing with trade offers.
'I'm disappointed in Ben Simmons,' Barkley said. 'When you give somebody $US200 million to dribble a stupid basketball, and the only thing you ask him is be better as a player, and their first response is "I don't wanna play here anymore", that disappoints me as a player, that disappoints me as a fan.
'They're not saying "come over and cut my grass". They're saying, ''Ben, we need you to learn how to shoot the basketball''.'
