For years as an ESPN analyst, Stephen A. Smith has been constantly outspoken in ripping NBA stars who questionably sit out of the games due to injuries and dubious circumstances. As it is, Kawhi Leonard has been his most recent subject of criticism, naming him the ' worst superstar in the history of sports ' for being unavailable most of the time.
Yet other than the L.A. Clippers star, Stephen A. revealed that he also holds embattled thoughts against Ben Simmons in the latest episode of The OGs Podcast.
"The only injury I've ever questioned is that damn Ben Simmons. Don't get me started on that damn Ben Simmons. I mean, this brother, he's lucky he's not in the prison for theft," SAS exclaimed .
"I mean, c'mon, man. The skill set that he had. I know he couldn't shoot, but everything else he has, he don't want to play. He don't love the game. I'm not saying he wasn't injured, but I'm talking about an absence of love for the game," he added.
An expensive DNP player
If someone needs to be considered the ultimate king of the NBA in terms of inactivity right now, Simmons undoubtedly takes the crown.
Ben has been absent more than playable in the league. From citing mental health problems and back issues, the past three seasons have been chaotic. After sitting out for the entire 2021-22 campaign due to his infamous drama with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Brooklyn Nets gained nothing but frustrations after acquiring Simmons. The Australian only appeared for 57 combined games with the franchise in the last two years. And in those contests, he played, his passivity has been evident courtesy of an awful 6.7 points average.
From being nowhere to be found on the court, his earnings as a max player couldn't be more of a head-scratcher. His annual salary of $30M+ since 2021 has been unjustifiable given his current situation and reputation as a liability rather than an asset.
"Remember, he was missing games before he was injured, they pointed to mental health. We can't dismiss the importance of mental health. The reason why I'm critical of it is because that never prevented you from making sure that check was in your account. Every two weeks, he never missed it. He always made sure that cash was there, but he wasn't playing," SAS concluded.
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Hoping for the best for Ben
From being one of the league's brightest stars to a forgotten player, it's genuinely saddening how things have turned upside down for Simmons. While it's difficult for us not to raise our eyebrows regarding his current status, Ben's sudden fallout is still a crushing moment to process after all the hype he enjoyed over the past few years.
For now, it remains challenging for the #1 pick of the 2016 Draft to regain his old form as an All-Star. Nevertheless, we can only hope he can battle the odds and redeem himself for the better, as his talent and all-around wonders were thrilling to watch.
Related: “It's like, 'my God bro” - Stephen A. Smith admits losing ‘complete faith’ in Ben Simmons
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