Earlier this week Brooklyn Nets playmaking forward Ben Simmons sat down with former teammate JJ Redick on his podcast to discuss his basketball journey, including the excessive criticism and hate he’s received.

NBA legend and personality Shaquille O’Neal took to his Big Podcast to react to Simmons’ claims that O’Neal is a hater. Shaq said, “First of all, these young players you need to understand Shaquille O’Neal don’t need to hate on you. Everything you’re doing I’d have done it a hundred times over.”

Shaq continued:

“First of all, if you play at 9:30 and we come on at 10 and we say something, it’s just what we see. The mental thing ain’t come out until everybody start bashing you, then you let people know you have mental health problems.

…. I told the world, I said ‘he did DM me he told me he’s going through some problems,’ and I said I was going to back up and then I told him in the DM ‘OK, the reason why people don’t know what’s going on because you ain’t talking. But as far as what I saw and I speak on what I know, I know how to get to that next level. He knows that and yes, you can be my brother, but I ain’t gonna always sugarcoat things, I’m gonna tell you the real. I ain’t never sugarcoat.

…. But you can’t say I’m hating because all the stuff you’re doing it because you saw me do it… If you’re greater, you can’t be a hater.”