“ I want to know how you can make $80 million and play 55 games. » As of last spring (others have since followed), the spike was signed Shaquille O'Neal and aimed Ben Simmons.
Shaq is not the only one to attack the Nets player who, due to multiple physical problems, has only worn the Brooklyn jersey 57 times in two seasons since his arrival.
Next year, he will still have the highest salary on the team, at more than $40 million. But the comments concerning him which abound on the web do not really reach him, since he deviates from them.
“ For me, being on a social media platform where you're just absorbing what everyone is saying, I don't think it's healthy for someone to read things about themselves. For my part, I don't go to Twitter or X because I don't find any use there “, he announced to the New York Post.
But we have to believe that the comments reach his ears when he adds: “ People say I'm a thief. When I got this contract, I was playing at a very high level. Unfortunately, I had injuries. But for someone to say that is a lack of respect. People can say whatever they want. They have to live with it. In the end, it all catches up with you. »
A way to send a message to his “haters” who he seems to want to deceive with the upcoming exercise. The problem is that the Australian is not his first attempt in this area. No doubt the New York context can help him, to the extent that the Nets should be less expected this season.
“ We have a younger team and I want to help them improve. I want to lead by example. I want to be competitive. Jordan (Fernandez) arrives for its first year. It's an important year for him. I want to be a leader on this team », he stares.
“ I don't care what happens next year, what contract I get, if I get one. I want to do my job while I'm here, be professional and help these guys as much as possible. So, who knows? I want to play as long as my body allows me. If it's a year, five, six, I don't know. But I just want to keep going until I can't anymore », he promises again.
| Ben Simmons | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | PHL | 81 | 34 | 54.5 | 0.0 | 56.0 | 1.8 | 6.4 | 8.1 | 8.2 | 2.6 | 1.7 | 3.4 | 0.9 | 15.8 |
| 2018-19 | PHL | 79 | 34 | 56.3 | 0.0 | 60.0 | 2.2 | 6.7 | 8.8 | 7.7 | 2.7 | 1.4 | 3.5 | 0.8 | 16.9 |
| 2019-20 | PHL | 57 | 35 | 58.0 | 28.6 | 62.1 | 2.0 | 5.8 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 3.3 | 2.1 | 3.5 | 0.6 | 16.4 |
| 2020-21 | PHL | 58 | 32 | 55.7 | 30.0 | 61.3 | 1.6 | 5.6 | 7.2 | 6.9 | 3.0 | 1.6 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 14.3 |
| 2022-23 | BRK | 42 | 26 | 56.6 | 0.0 | 43.9 | 1.0 | 5.3 | 6.3 | 6.1 | 3.3 | 1.3 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 6.9 |
| 2023-24 | BRK | 15 | 24 | 58.1 | 0.0 | 40.0 | 2.1 | 5.9 | 7.9 | 5.7 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 6.1 |
| Total | 332 | 33 | 56.0 | 13.9 | 58.9 | 1.8 | 6.0 | 7.8 | 7.4 | 2.9 | 1.6 | 3.2 | 0.7 | 14.4 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
