Stephen A. Smith has a way with his superlatives and hyperboles. This weekend, when he weighed in on a former NBA All-Star, some fans had no issues at all with his choice of words.
On Monday’s episode of “The Stephen A. Smith Show,” the radio host and sports analyst reacted to Ben Simmons’ latest proclamation that he is ready to play in the NBA once again.
“I don’t think Jesus could convince me to take Ben Simmons…He is the only player that I have ever witnessed in NBA history who I believe should pay NBA teams to have him play.”
Smith’s comments drew support from a number of fans, who agreed that Simmons isn’t fit to play in the NBA next season.
Smith also called Simmons “a basketball abomination” and brought up his infamous moment in the 2021 NBA playoffs. During Game 7 of the Sixers-Hawks series, Simmons was wide open for an easy shot underneath the basket but opted to pass the ball instead.
The NBA career of Simmons, who’d earned three All-Star appearances up to that point, went downhill from there. A holdout situation would ensue in the offseason, and after months of tension between Simmons and the Sixers organization, he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in February 2022.
Three years later, Simmons would end up with the LA Clippers. He did not play for any NBA team during the 2025-26 campaign, and it remains to be seen whether he’ll be making a comeback in the upcoming season.
Ben Simmons Names Eastern Conference Team as Preferred Destination for Next Season: “I Like the Culture”
If Smith had his way, Ben Simmons wouldn’t get anywhere near an NBA roster any time soon. If Simmons himself had his way, he’d be playing for a certain Eastern Conference team.
In an interview with Men’s Health, the 6-foot-10 athlete named the Miami Heat as his preferred destination.
“Miami would be nice. And not because it’s Miami. I like Erik Spoelstra, I like the Heat, I like their organization, I like the culture.”
It’s likely that Simmons made these comments prior to the news of the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. The arrival of Antetokounmpo in Miami curtails the possibility of Simmons joining the Heat, as his lack of shooting is a bad fit for the Greek Freak’s skill set.
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