“Lucky he’s not in prison for theft,” Stephen A. Smith SLAMS $40 million earning Ben Simmons for not loving basketball

Ben Simmons has played 57 games in the last 2 seasons.

“Lucky he’s not in prison for theft,” Stephen A. Smith SLAMS $40 million earning Ben Simmons for not loving basketball

Stephen A. Smith slams $40 million earning Brooklyn Nets star Ben Simmons for not loving basketball

Stephen A. Smith is 56 years old and has been on television for nearly half those years. In all that time, he has become synonymous with the wildest takes possible. Some of them are controversial enough to get him suspended. But nowadays, he is much calmer. Unless a topic of that nature riles him up and the choicest words come out of his mouth. Brooklyn Nets star Ben Simmons being one.

The longtime ESPN analyst was talking about player injuries with host and colleague Udonis Haslem on The OGs Show. Smith brought up Ben Simmons‘ example to say:

The only injury that I’ve ever questioned is that damn Ben Simmons. He’s lucky he’s not in prison for theft. I know he couldn’t shoot but the skills set he has, everything else he has. He don’t wanna play, he don’t love the game.

Stephen A. Smith via The OGs Show

To this, Udonis Haslem pointed out that Simmons is working out in Miami. But Smith refuted that by suggesting that with the distractions Miami has, it makes no sense that he was working out there. Especially, with him entering the final year of his contract.

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Therefore, for Stephen A. Smith, it is a blatant question mark on his desire to be a great basketball player. That lack of desire has led him to miss 2 full seasons of playing time. That is why Smith questions his desire.

Ben Simmons and his NBA future is in doubt

Missing all those years due to injuries has cast a shadow on the once-All-NBA player. A player who was destined to be one of the greats of the sport. One who was seen as a transcendent player. Until he infamously did not want to shoot a game-tying shot in the playoffs. That incident threw away the playoff aspirations of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Since then, he went into a full-blown cold war with the 76ers. Missing practices and getting thrown out of practices, etc. He forced a trade after a holdout, ultimately landing with the Brooklyn Nets. Ever since he moved to Brooklyn, he has played a grand total of 57 games. Teams and GMs are not oblivious to all that is transpiring.

Therefore, it will not be a surprise if teams stay away from signing him in the next free agency. So far, the Nets have tried to trade him, but have found no takers. All of this provides a grim outlook for the basketball future of a once-about-to-be great superstar.

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