Shaquille O'Neal thinks Ben Simmons' player rating in the upcoming NBA 2K25 game should be much lower than the number they initially gave him.
Last week, an Instagram page called Basketballforever shared a post about Simmons' possible rating for the next installment of the popular video game series. The post included a picture of Simmons' 87 rating across NBA 2K19, 2K20, and 2K21 compared to an alleged new 66 rating in 2K25.
Shaq caught wind of the post, feeling the rating wasn't accurate, and wrote in the comment section, “Should b lower,” due to Simmons' lack of play over the last several seasons. It's important to note that the game's publisher, 2K, has yet to officially release the ratings for NBA 2K25, but fans expect Simmons to be in the lower digits.
Shaq has been critical of Simmons over the years. One of the latest criticisms came earlier this year when the four-time NBA champion took a jab at Simmons for getting paid so much money and barely touching the NBA court. “Ben Simmons, because I'd want to learn how you can make $80 million and play 55 games…teach me,” O'Neal said.
The jab should come as no surprise because throughout his six seasons in the league, Simmons has yet to play a full season due to injuries and issues with team front offices. One of his most memorable moments came in the 2021 Eastern Conference Semifinals when he played for the Philadelphia 76ers and passed on an open dunk that changed the tide of the series and his image to fans and players alike.
Following the debacle with the Sixers, the 2016 No. 1 draft pick was traded to the Brooklyn Nets, where he played in 42 games and put up career lows before shutting down his season due to suffering a herniated disk in his back. The following season, Simmons missed the first 38 games but played in only 15 games before ending his season again, thanks to nerve issues in his back.
This article was originally published on Complex.com.
