As teams around the league tighten rotations and prepare for the playoff push, conversations about shooting and spacing have once again taken center stage. In a season defined by perimeter efficiency and pace, roster construction matters more than ever. That context fueled a fiery segment this week on “ESPN’s First Take”, where Stephen A. Smith delivered blistering criticism of free agent Ben Simmons.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft last played for the Los Angeles Clippers and is now evaluating his next opportunity. But it was Smith’s comments and his refusal to walk them back that dominated headlines.
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“As long as ‘First Take’ is in existence, Ben Simmons will catch strays,” Smith said. “I’m not apologizing to a damn soul. There is no bigger thief in the history of the NBA than that man.”
He escalated further, adding, “If Ben Simmons runs near a basketball arena, he should be arrested.”
Smith doubled down throughout the segment, expanding on his criticism of Simmons’ reluctance to shoot.
“We have never, ever, ever seen this,” Smith said. “You talk about a dude that would not shoot the damn basketball. That is the biggest thief.”
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He continued by saying Simmons “made sure his check cleared twice a month in the NBA” while refusing to shoot, adding, “If the man walked away from the game, that would be different.”
The remarks were sharp, even by Smith’s standards. Yet they reflect a long-running debate about Simmons’ offensive approach in a league that increasingly prioritizes shooting range and floor spacing.
Simmons entered the NBA with rare versatility. At 6-foot-10 with elite ball-handling and vision, he won Rookie of the Year honors and earned three All-Star selections during his time with the Philadelphia 76ers.
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Los Angeles Clippers guard Ben Simmons (25) against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center.
However, his career 3-point volume remains extremely low, reinforcing the narrative critics often highlight. Simmons’ career then took several turns. Back issues and a holdout sidelined him for the entire 2021-22 season.
In 2024-25, he split time between Brooklyn and the Clippers, playing 51 total games and averaging 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in 22.0 minutes per game. His career averages of 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists over 383 games still reflect his playmaking ability, but his scoring output has declined significantly. And those numbers look even worse when considering Simmons has made about $200 million in career earnings, according to Spotrac.
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In 18 games with the Clippers, he averaged 2.9 points in limited minutes before entering free agency.
Related: ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith Shares Personal Honor
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.