Stephen A. Smith Refuses to Apologize After Calling ben simmons a ‘Thief’
Stephen A. Smith delivered blistering remarks about ben simmons during a televised studio segment on Feb. 17, 2026 (ET) and declined to retract them, intensifying a yearslong debate over the former All-Star’s shooting and value. The comments — blunt, personal and laced with humor — immediately reignited discussion about Simmons’ NBA future and the sport’s changing priorities.
Smith’s comments and refusal to back down
In a heated on-air exchange, Smith accused Simmons of failing the game’s basic expectations and used vivid language to drive his point home. He said he would not apologize "to a damn soul, " called Simmons "the biggest thief in the history of the NBA, " and even quipped that if Simmons "runs near a basketball arena, he should be arrested. "
Smith doubled down later in the segment, emphasizing what he saw as a unique and unacceptable pattern: players who collect huge paychecks while declining to take and make shots that the modern game requires. He framed his criticism as part of a broader conversation about accountability and roster fit in a league that prizes spacing and perimeter efficiency.
The tone of the segment was unmistakable: Smith mixed mockery with moralizing, offering no hint of remorse for his words. That posture ensured the comments would stay in headlines and on social feeds long after the cameras cut.
Where Simmons’ career stands now
ben simmons entered the league as the No. 1 overall pick and quickly established himself as a rare, versatile playmaker at 6-foot-10, earning Rookie of the Year and multiple All-Star nods early in his career. Yet his trajectory changed amid injuries, a high-profile holdout, and public scrutiny of his reluctance to shoot from distance.
In the 2024-25 campaign he split time between two teams, appearing in 51 games and averaging roughly 5. 0 points, 4. 7 rebounds and 5. 6 assists in about 22 minutes per contest. Across 18 appearances with his most recent club, his scoring dipped further in limited minutes. Across his career to date he averages approximately 13. 1 points, 7. 4 rebounds and 7. 2 assists over more than 380 games, numbers that underline playmaking ability even as scoring has diminished.
Financially, Simmons has earned in the neighborhood of $200 million over his career, a fact critics have used to sharpen their arguments about expectations and output. More recently he has explored pursuits beyond the hardwood, investing in a professional angling enterprise and signaling at least a partial shift in his professional interests.
Reaction, implications and the path forward
Smith’s remarks tapped into a persistent narrative that follows Simmons: elite physical tools and passing instincts hampered by reluctance to expand his offensive game in an era that rewards three-point threat and spacing. Fans and analysts have been divided for years between sympathy for injuries and frustration over missed opportunities.
Whether Simmons returns to the NBA as a meaningful contributor remains uncertain. Teams balancing playoff pushes and long-term construction are increasingly fixated on shooting, pace and floor spacing; that environment complicates the calculus for a player whose strengths sit away from volume shooting. At the same time, his size and court vision—if paired with renewed confidence and a defined role—leave room for a potential niche comeback.
For now, Smith’s refusal to apologize ensures Simmons remains part of the conversation, even if the former star’s attention is split between basketball and ventures off the court. The exchange underscores how, in today’s game, public perception and media narrative can shape a player’s next opportunities as much as on-court metrics.
