The fiery debate on ESPN's First Take reached a boiling point this week, with host Stephen A. Smith turning his signature bombast toward one of the NBA's most polarizing figures. In a segment that quickly went viral, Smith launched into a scorching critique of Brooklyn Nets forward Ben Simmons, delivering some of his harshest words yet and vowing never to back down from his position.

A Scathing On-Air Assault

During Tuesday's broadcast, Smith didn't just criticize Simmons' recent performance—he attacked the very foundation of the player's professional reputation. Labeling Simmons "the biggest thief in the history of the NBA," Smith argued that the former number-one draft pick has collected massive paychecks while failing to deliver on the court. "There is no bigger thief in the history of the NBA than that man," Smith declared, his voice rising with characteristic intensity.

The ESPN personality pointed to Simmons' career earnings, which exceed $203 million, as evidence of what he perceives as an unfair exchange. "You talk about a dude that would not shoot the damn basketball that is the biggest thief," Smith continued. "I mean, if Ben Simmons runs near a basketball arena, he should be arrested. That's how bad it was."

No Apologies Forthcoming

Perhaps most telling was Smith's refusal to soften his stance. "On this show, as long as First Take is in existence, Ben Simmons will catch strays," he stated emphatically. "I ain't apologizing for it to a damn soul." This isn't the first time Smith has targeted Simmons; back in 2022, he called the athlete one of the most "pathetic" competitors he'd ever seen, claiming "nobody is worse than Ben Simmons."

Smith's latest rant centers on what he sees as a fundamental contradiction in Simmons' career. "Now, if the man walked away from the game, that would be different," Smith argued. "But that man made sure his check cleared twice a month in the NBA. You so traumatized that you can't shoot, but you wasn't traumatized to go to TD or Wells Fargo or someplace to make sure your money was in that bank account."

The Simmons Saga Continues

Ben Simmons' journey from promising Philadelphia 76ers star to Brooklyn Nets enigma has been one of the NBA's most discussed narratives. Once celebrated as an All-Star with dazzling court vision and defensive prowess, Simmons has seen his career hampered by injuries and a well-documented reluctance to shoot from distance. His trade to Brooklyn in 2022 was supposed to rejuvenate his career, but instead, it accelerated what many see as a disappointing decline.

The Australian-born player hasn't appeared in an NBA game since April 2025, making Smith's criticism particularly pointed. Throughout the years of public scrutiny, Simmons has maintained a notable silence regarding Smith's comments, perhaps recognizing that engaging with one of sports media's most vocal personalities offers little upside.

Broader Implications for Athlete Criticism

Smith's uncompromising stance raises questions about the boundaries of sports commentary. While analysts have always critiqued player performance, the personal nature of these attacks—calling an athlete "the weakest, most pathetic excuse for a professional athlete"—represents an escalation in tone. This approach generates headlines and drives engagement, but also sparks debate about fairness and the mental health considerations for athletes facing such public condemnation.

As the NBA offseason continues, all eyes will be on whether Simmons can mount a comeback that would silence his critics, or if Smith's harsh assessment will stand as the definitive verdict on a career that promised so much more. For now, the ESPN host has made his position unmistakably clear, and he shows no signs of retreating from what has become one of his most persistent targets.