NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has many opinions on how basketball has evolved since his career ended, especially regarding star players.
That was no different when it came to the former Philadelphia 76ers star duo of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, whom he decided to take playful shots at.
Shaquille O’Neal Disses Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons
Embiid and Simmons were the faces of the 76ers’ squad from 2017 to 2021, helping the franchise rise to become a playoff contender.
Embiid stood out as the franchise star after starting his career with multiple injuries, bursting onto the scene as one of the best in the league. His elite inside game and defensive tenacity raised the 76ers’ ceiling with playoff expectations. On the other hand, Simmons entered the fold as a remarkable playmaker and talented defender, forming a solid tandem with the star center.
However, their playoff performances left much to be desired. Even while Philadelphia enjoyed its best years since the Allen Iverson era, it came up short of the Eastern Conference Finals twice in 2019 and 2021, falling to the Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks in the East Semis.
O’Neal mentioned Embiid and Simmons during his interview with Caleb Pressley on Jan. 25. Pressley asked him about players with hypothetical DJ names, which the NBA Hall of Famer was more than happy to oblige with humorous responses.
🍨 SUNDAE CONVERSATION 🍨
with @SHAQ pic.twitter.com/9KLOMSnamR
— CALEB PRESSLEY (@calebpressley) January 25, 2026
“DJ Low Fuel?” Pressley asked.
“Joel Embiid,” O’Neal answered, referring to Embiid’s well-known fatigue levels at the end of games.
“DJ just at the gas station to use the bathroom,” Pressley then asked.
“Ben Simmons,” O’Neal replied, referring to Simmons’ tendency to be passive despite his offensive skill set.
Embiid Logging Solid Numbers for the 76ers Battling Injuries
It’s quite the humorous shots for Shaquille O’Neal to take towards the former dynamic duo. Embiid remains a member of the 76ers despite suffering injuries in past seasons. As for Simmons, he remains out of the NBA after leaving the franchise in 2022 and last playing for the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2024-25 campaign.
Embiid is halfway through the 12th season of his NBA career with the 76ers. After playing in 58 combined games throughout the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, Embiid has made progress in staying on the court this year. He is averaging 25.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game throughout 25 appearances. He is shooting 48.6% from the field, including 28% from beyond the arc, and 85.5% from the free-throw line.
Philadelphia holds a 24-20 record at this point of the season, sitting at sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings. They have a one-game edge over the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat. However, they are behind the Cleveland Cavaliers by 1.5 games and Toronto Raptors by 2.5 games.
The 76ers are on the road before returning home for three consecutive games. They face the Charlotte Hornets on Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. ET before hosting the Milwaukee Bucks on Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. ET.
