The Joel Embiid-Ben Simmons pairing didn't end up working out in Philadelphia in terms of winning a championship. The duo did have some success in the regular season, as they were the No. 1 seed last season.
After the team's meltdown in the playoffs, Ben Simmons ended up asking for a trade. That trade request hasn't been fulfilled yet. It is quite possible the 76ers do end up trading Simmons at the deadline though, as he has not yet played a single game for the franchise.
Shaquille O'Neal has recently criticized Ben Simmons while talking about Joel Embiid's dominance. It is clear that Shaquille O'Neal is a fan of Joel Embiid being able to take criticism without taking it personally.
He's (Joel Embiid) doing what he's supposed to do. He's dominating... I stay on big guys because I care about them. I want them to play a certain way, I want them to play at a certain level.
Difference between him and his soft partner (Ben Simmons), is he can take criticism without being a crybaby, and he still wants to play. Cause me and Charles, we've been on him. We stay on him. We tell him to his face what he needs to do.
He didn't cry, he didn't say "I want to be traded", he didn't complain about mistreatment. That's the difference. The other guy I don't respect... You're missing a whole season because they asked your coach a question "Can we win without you" and your coach gave a funny answer.
That should tell you, you need to get in the summertime and work on your game... Great players great criticized. Great players also step up to the criticism... I would get rid of him.
There is no doubt that the 76ers can't afford to waste this year of Joel Embiid, because he has been playing like an MVP-caliber player. It remains to be seen if they do end up trading Ben Simmons though, as there have been claims that they might wait till the offseason to pursue James Harden.
Hopefully, we see Joel Embiid continue dominating for the rest of the season. He has an argument for being the best player in the league, and he is a two-way force. While no one would consider the 76ers as favorites for the title, with Joel Embiid leading them, they shouldn't be counted out.
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