NBA 2022: Why Steven A. Smith has changed his tune on Ben Simmons

NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith wasn’t happy with Ben Simmons last year, but he is prepared to give the Australian star a second chance. Here’s why.

NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith wasn’t happy with Ben Simmons last year, but he is prepared to give the Australian star a second chance. ​

As Ben Simmons prepares to reboot his controversial NBA career, his biggest critic outspoken ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith, has declared a ceasefire on his vitriolic attacks on the most polarising athlete in American sport.

After a recent chance meeting with Simmons who has been cleared to return to training with the Brooklyn Nets, Smith says he is prepared to give the Australian born NBA star a second chance.

“I’m rooting for the brother,” Smith told his ESPN audience.

It’s a stunning turnaround from his persistent and unprecedented attacks on Simmons following his ugly divorce from the Philadelphia 76ers.

“Nobody is worse than Ben Simmons,” said Smith back in April. “Ben Simmons might also be the weakest, the most pathetic excuse for a professional athlete we have ever seen not just in American history but the history of sport.

“I can’t think of a professional athlete that has come across more pathetic than this man.”

I ran into Ben Simmons and he said this.. pic.twitter.com/kLjhRu6OW4

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) August 15, 2022

The Melbourne-born 6-10 point guard became the biggest headline in the NBA after refusing to report to Philadelphia training camp at the time, proclaiming that he doesn’t want to play another game for the franchise despite having four seasons left on his contract.

He was also disappointed with the 76ers for repeatedly attempting to trade him and for shining the light on his poor shooting form.

According to Smith, though, Simmons needs to showcase more resilience if he wants to take his promising career to even greater heights.

“It ain’t about skill, it is about heart and there is a heart examination that is required now,” Smith fired.

“Because this brother is LeBron James part two if he developed any kind of jump shot or free-throw shot.

“If Ben developed a free-throw shot, not even a jump shot, he would average 25 points a game.

“He is that gifted, he is that special of a talent. The problem is he is scared to shoot.

“And the 76ers and the 76ers fan base is to blame? And you don’t want to come back because you can’t deal with them?

“That is a heart examination right there, ladies and gentlemen.”

Almost a year on, and Smith has changed his tune about Simmons after bumping into the Australian guard during the pre-season.

“I ran into Ben Simmons and he and I had a nice conversation,” he said.

“You understand personal business is his personal business. I support the brother.

“I had a problem with him not playing and that is the past. He is ready to go, he swears he is ready to go.

“I’m rooting for the brother.”

It comes as Simmons is set to be cleared for three-on-three training, paving the way for him to join the NBA’s most polarising trio alongside Brooklyn Nets guns Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

According to the Athletic, Simmons is expected to be given the green light for training to be ready for the start of training camp in late September.

I know a focused man when I see one. Time to lock in Nets fam 💪💪@[e-mail]/6qW6Zo6EK9

— BknCentral (@BknCentral) August 25, 2022

The former No.1 NBA draft pick 76er missed the entire 2021-22 season and is yet to debut with the Nets.

He underwent successful back surgery in early May to alleviate pain caused by a herniated disc.

It has been a long lay-off for Simmons, who hasn’t played since June last year when Philadelphia lost to Atlanta in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

The prodigious talent has also dominated the news cycle following his bitter dispute with the 76ers that resulted in a trade to Brooklyn.

Simmons reached an undisclosed settlement with the Sixers last week over $US20 million ($A29 million) the club withheld from him for sitting out.

He has three seasons remaining on his five-year, $US177 million ($A257 million) contract.

Simmons is a three-time All-Star over his four NBA seasons, scoring 15.9 points with 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists in 275 career games, all starts with the 76ers.

‘Don’t take them lightly’: Giddey’s warning for OKC

Australian NBA sensation Josh Giddey says it will be “special” to turn back the clock in October when his Oklahoma City Thunder hosts his former team, the Adelaide 36ers in the return of the NBA versus NBL pre-season series.

The 36ers take on the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, October 2 at the Footprint Center, followed by a matchup against Giddey’s Thunder on Thursday October 6 at the Paycom Center.

It’s the fourth time in six years that NBL teams will participate in the NBA pre-season.

No NBL team has beaten their NBA rivals, with Melbourne United coming the closest in 2017, losing by only one point to an Oklahoma City side featuring superstars like Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, and Steven Adams.

Melbourne NBA star Josh Giddy is being called the next Ben Simmons, after winning the 2021 NBA rookie of the year. Picture: David Caird

Giddey couldn’t be prouder to play against the 36ers, although he is expecting a torrid affair and has already warned his Thunder teammates not to take the Aussies “lightly”.

“To play against any Australian team I would’ve been happy with but for it to be the team which essentially helped me get to the NBA makes it that much more special,” said Giddey, who won the 2021 NBL Rookie of the Year Award while playing for the 36ers as part of the NBL Next Stars program, the NBL’s player development program to help fast track future stars.

“To play against familiar faces who I have played against and who I have been teammates with, guys I’ve known a long time, so it’s going to be fun.

“I knew the NBL and the NBA stuff, I remember watching it back when I was 15.

“It’s good to play against any NBL team, but for it to be the team I played with makes it a lot more exciting.

“But I’m going to tell my guys not to take them lightly because these Australian teams are very competitive and can really play.”

36ers big man Daniel Johnson is thrilled to see Giddey’s progression from the NBL to the NBA’s bright lights.

Johnson can’t wait to take on his former teammate, but knows the Melbourne-born guard will be a formidable force to contain.

“Josh is very tough, and he used to playing against the best players in the world,” Johnson said.

“He has done really well for himself.

“There was a lot of hype going into the NBA, but he has backed that up, which is awesome to see.

“He is a great kid, and he was a great teammate, so it’s good to see him having success.”

This year’s NBL versus NBA series also highlights the genuine and growing link between the two leagues.

The Thunder and the Suns both feature players who previously played in the NBL in 2022 No. 11 overall pick Ousmane Dieng and Boomers big man Jock Landale.

Dieng, who was also an NBL Next Star, previously played with the New Zealand Breakers.

Landale was named NBL Grand Final MVP in 2021 while playing for Melbourne United.

Giddey says it will be special to play against his former team, the 36ers. Picture: Getty Images.

NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger is expecting big things from this year’s NBA versus NBL pre-season games.

“We are delighted to see the Adelaide 36ers travel to America for the NBA pre-season,” Loeliger said.

“After two years without games between NBL and NBA teams, we are thrilled to see them return as it emphasises the growing and strengthening connection between our two leagues.

“These pre-season games are always a highlight of our calendar, and we look forward to them once again becoming an annual occurrence.”

Seven Australian players were among the record 121 international players on opening-night rosters for the 2021-22 NBA season, and 14 players with NBL experience played in the NBA last season.

Bro what? @joshgiddeyhttps://t.co/9uRNLxkgl9

— Jock Landale (@JockLandale) July 12, 2022

NBA games and programming reach fans in Australia on ESPN and NBA League Pass, the league’s premium live game subscription service.

Basketball Without Borders (BWB), the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program, has been held in Australia two times, including earlier this month at NBA Global Academy in Canberra, which serves as the NBA Academy program’s hub for top athletes from outside the U.S.

Two NBA Global Academy graduates have been drafted into the NBA since the academy opened in 2018: Giddey and 2022 No. 8 overall pick Dyson Daniels (New Orleans Pelicans; Australia).

Originally published as NBA 2022: Why Steven A. Smith has changed his tune on Ben Simmons