Stephen A. Smith ripped Ben Simmons during ESPN’s ‘NBA Countdown’ as the three-time All-Star struggles through his first healthy season with the Brooklyn Nets.
“Ben Simmons, it’s a sad situation,” Smith said. “And I don’t mean this literally, because obviously, he’s not doing it, but one would say, he is stealing money.”
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Smith’s comments came one day after Simmons was ejected during Brooklyn’s loss to the Suns after posting a poor stat line consisting of seven points, six assists and five fouls.
“Let’s call it what it is y’all,” Smith said later. “Ben Simmons got ejected last night on purpose. That’s just me talking.”
The incident was another chapter in what has been a disappointing season for the former No. 1 overall pick. Simmons is averaging 7.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 6.3 assists and 27.4 minutes per game — all of which are career lows. Simmons missed all of last season with a back injury.
Jalen Rose agreed with Smith’s assessment of Simmons this season.
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“Ben Simmons is stealing money, ski mask and gloves,” Rose said, citing the guard having 119 fouls, 113 baskets and shooting 43 percent from the free throw line.
Nets coach Jacque Vaughn also had a clear message for Simmons after he was ejected.
“We need him to be productive, and that is without the fouls,” Vaughn said.
“That is helping us rebound the basketball. That is playing with poise and composure. That is pushing the pace for us. So unfortunately when you’re a really good basketball player, your list is long and so are the responsibilities.
“And hopefully, we’ll continue to ask of those things and challenge him and challenge this group to be able to answer those long lists.”
Despite a win Saturday over the Jazz, the Nets have stumbled since Kevin Durant went down with a knee injury earlier this month. Brooklyn has gone 1-4 and posted the league’s ninth-worst Net Rating over that period.
This article first appeared on The New York Postand was reproduced with permission.
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