Sports · Full coverage
Stephen A. Smith Criticizes Ben Simmons as He Plans NBA Return
How 2 Israeli newsrooms covered this story — translated into English and compared side by side.
100% center
Center 2
First reported by Mako · 55 minutes ago
What happened
Ben Simmons plans an NBA comeback after a year off due to injury and mental health issues, but ESPN's Stephen A. Smith strongly criticized him as a wasted talent and questioned his commitment. Simmons last played in April 2025 and has struggled since leaving Philadelphia for Brooklyn.
- 01Ben Simmons plans to return to the NBA after missing last season due to injury and mental health.
- 02Stephen A. Smith called Simmons the biggest disgrace in basketball history during a live broadcast.
- 03Smith claimed Simmons is the only NBA player who would have to pay a team to sign him.
- 04Simmons last played in April 2025 for the Clippers with poor season averages.
- 05Drafted first overall in 2016, Simmons was a three-time All-Star with Philadelphia.
- 06His performance declined sharply after joining Brooklyn in 2022 following an injury-plagued season.
Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.
Full coverage · 2 outlets
The same event, reported separately by each newsroom. Open a few to compare what each emphasizes — and what they leave out.
Related stories
Stephen A. Smith Praises New York's Historic Comeback and Sends Love to IsraelJun 13, 2026Bill Simmons Joked That Maccabi Tel Aviv Might Be the Only Team for Ja MorantJun 23, 2026Jayson Brown Fires Back at Critics, Calls NBA Analytics 'AI Basketball'3 days agoCharles Barkley slams Spurs as 'the dumbest team in human history'Jun 11, 2026"What Did I Just See?!" Stars React to the ComebackJun 11, 2026“Where the Hell Was Wemby?” Spurs Star Faces Heavy CriticismJun 11, 2026