One of the summer storylines (and one that will shape the upcoming season) is watching Ben Simmons as a Sacramento King. After years of freefall, the California team have placed their faith in the No. 1 pick of the 2016 draft, and now all that remains is to see if he can come close to what he once was. While we check that, the man who doesn’t mince words is his coach, Doug Christie.
Now fully immersed in the preparation for the 2026-27 campaign, the figure who was part of the best Kings teams of the 21st century was challenged by his new pupil. Far from being neutral, he makes clear that what he has found undermines everything heard previously about the Australian point guard.
«Nothing I read was true. I really enjoy having him around. He talks, enjoys basketball, loves coaching… without a doubt he’s special», he explains about his personality before turning to what he represents on a basketball court.
«As a basketball player, it’s simply a combination you don’t often see. When that kind of greatness presents itself to you, you recognize it. There’s no margin for error. He possesses all of those qualities», he reiterates.
Ben Simmons: “It’s Bullshit”
As the Kings’ head coach emphasizes, the last few years have given rise to all sorts of chatter (and reading) around Ben Simmons’ figure, going so far as to claim that he simply did not enjoy playing basketball. The 30-year-old player is blunt about it.
«For all those people who say I don’t like basketball: it’s bullshit. I like everything about it. To me it’s an art. When I play I can get creative, I can give my best and compete against the most talented players. It’s something that runs in my blood, I’ve been doing it since I was a baby», he declares.
