“He scared of Stephen A. Smith” - NBA fans berate Ben Simmons for clapping back at detractors’ ‘disrespectful’ take on $163M career salary
Ben Simmons has a long history of injuries that have hampered his progress in the NBA. Before the setbacks, he was one of the best defensive forwards in the league, with an incredible basketball IQ. Ahead of the coming regular season, Simmons criticized those who have aimed "disrespectful" comments at his contract earnings along the way, to which NBA fans reacted strongly.
Simmons signed his five-year contract for $170 million in July 2019, when he was still with the Philadelphia 76ers. At the time, he was playing excellent basketball and had his most efficient year. He averaged 16.4 points on 58.0% shooting while also adding 8.0 assists and 7.8 rebounds to his production
As of now, the Nets forward has a career earnings of $163 million, as per Spotrac.
"People make comments saying I'm robbing," Simmons said. "No. When I got that contract, I was playing at a super high level. Unfortunately, I had injuries. But for somebody to say that, it's disrespectful. [But] people can say what they want to say. They've got to live with it. At the end of the day it all catches up with you."
His comments were also shared by user NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) on X. In response to the post, several fans shared their reactions.
"He worried about what fans say he scared of Stephen A. Smith."
X users @Sanyasi_hu and QueenTJ (@BamaGirlLife) mocked Ben Simmons' comments about "catching up," as he has not been the same player since he arrived in Brooklyn.
Meanwhile, user @gwopchaser_js11 advised Simmons to just focus on his game instead of responding to outside noise. User Simeion Blakely (@BlakelySimeion), on the other hand, highlighted how the league will view him after this coming season.
"What's going to happen first: Simmons being a top NBA player or our comments catching up to us?" the fan posted.
"He needs to do less talking and more action because since Philly he's not proven that he's worthy of that contract," the fan posted.
"We'll learn how the NBA and front office executives feel about Ben when it is time to negotiate a new contract next summer," the fan posted.
"What's disrespectful is airballing free throws regularly as an NBA player and consistently playing below your talent level. That will catch up to you one day," the fan posted.
Last season, Ben Simmons played 15 games for the Nets, averaging 6.1 points (58.1% shooting), 7.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists.
Ben Simmons emphasized on being healthy ahead of his return to the 2024-25 season
During the Brooklyn Nets' annual Media Day, Simmons talked about his upcoming return to the 2024-25 NBA season and highlighted how he was considered one of the best players in the league when he was healthy.
"I think people forget me as a player when I'm healthy," Simmons said. "I can play basketball, I'm pretty good, right? For me it's just being consistent with that, and staying on top of my body. Getting better everyday and staying in the gym with these guys."
He might not have had the shotmaking abilities back then, but he was a force to be reckoned with on the defensive end with his ability to guard multiple positions. He could rebound well at the power forward position and run an offense confidently with his decision-making and passing accuracy.
That is the version that Ben Simmons continues to work on getting back after all the injuries and setbacks he has experienced along the way.