Ben Simmons has been accused of “robbing franchises” in a brutal response to a lengthy interview in which he detailed the full extent of his back injuries.
Simmons, who has endured a couple of forgettable seasons over the last few years, suggested he was fully over his back issues, saying he is ready to “come back and dominate people” this season for the Brooklyn Nets in a lengthy interview with Andascape.
TV personality Stephen A Smith said he was “sick” of hearing the talk from the 26-year-old and implored him to back it up with his play this season in a rant which lasted almost two minutes on ESPN’s First Take.
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”We know this much about Ben Simmons as well, the brother don’t miss the cheques,” he said.
“The cheques keep coming in. No matter what is going on with him mentally or emotionally, the brother shows up to the bank to get his money. At some point in time, you’ve got to earn it.
“I know he’s been through a lot and I understand that. But considering how great his talent was and considering me meeting him face-to-face last year, swearing down that he’s ready to go, and then you wet the bed the way you did last season? I’m sick of this.
“This is a great talent that is putting his talent to waste. Nobody in their right mind would trust them in the future. The only reason he’s still in the NBA literally is because he got a guaranteed contract over the next two years because he hasn’t done a damn thing to earn it.
“It’s time for Ben Simmons to step up. I understand whatever it is you were going through, I get that, I’m not sitting here diminishing any of that stuff he was going through, but enough’s enough.
“You’re getting money, ain’t you? You’re getting paid, ain’t you? Ain’t nobody asking you to go on the front lines in Ukraine against Russia, it’s about basketball.
“What the hell’s wrong with you? Step the hell up.”
Smith is far from the only person sceptical about Simmons’ comments, with former NBA guard Gilbert Arenas also not fully convinced about the Aussie’s back injury claims.
When asked what his advice to Simmons would be ahead of this season, Arenas had two words: “just play”.
“The question is this: he received his money right? He won that lawsuit against Philly so he’s back, he’s back 100 (per cent),” he said on his show Gil’s Arena.
“As soon as he got that cheque he’s 100. We didn’t consider that as an option, right?
“They were fining him and he says he has a back injury. He gets traded to the Nets and they’re (the 76ers) holding his money. If he plays (for the Nets), then his back doesn’t hurt so he forfeits the $19 million, so he has to play the long game.”
Former No.1 pick Kenyon Martin was also critical of Simmons’ level of play from the last few years.
“You’re saying he’s been disappointing, no, he’s been non-existent the last couple of years,” he said.
“He’s just got to get on the floor. When he’s on the floor he can help any team because he’s got a certain skill set that you can’t teach, he defends, he passes the ball well, he’s fast, athletic.
“Damn it if you’re not the best shooter, just get in the gym and try. Get in the gym and shoot the (ball), get in the game and shoot the (ball), and if you miss it, you f—ing miss it.
“People questioned whether he liked the game or not, we all did. Especially guys who played, it’s hard for us to sit back and be like, ‘You don’t want to play? Are you hurt for real or you just don’t like the game?’, but if he’s hurt, he’s hurt.”