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Shaquille O’Neal Sounds Off On Ben Simmons Over Back Injury: “Your Back Can’t Hurt If You’re Jumping Up And Down”

Ben Simmons went through the entire 2021-2022 NBA season without logging a single minute on the court for the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets. Simmons cited mental health concerns and back problems as the main reasons for his absence.

The 25-year old point guard was previously rumored to make his season-debut on Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first-round series between the Brooklyn Nets and the Boston Celtics, but it didn’t happen as he was eventually ruled out due to back soreness.

Many fans and basketball personalities have become upset with Simmons including Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal. Appearing on his own podcast, O’Neal sounded off on Simmons for using back soreness as an excuse not to play during their playoff campaign.

Per Sportskeeda:

“See, back is the only thing that doctors can’t really diagnose. You can diagnose a knee, an ankle, a hand, but back, you can’t diagnose. When somebody says their back hurt, you gotta come believe them. But your back can’t hurt if you’re jumping up and down.”

“Your back can’t hurt if you’re doing all this. Is your back maybe sore? Yeah, everybody’s back sore! I ain’t play in 15 years, my back and my knees and my ankle are sore… That’s why people don’t respect a guy like that.”