Ben Simmons has never been the same since those 2021 playoffs. A mix of mental and physical health issues prevented him from maintaining consistency in the league, and he ultimately lost his place, prompting many to label him as a passionless player — someone with little interest in basketball who, with life already settled, let himself drift at the first setback.
A narrative that, back in the NBA after signing a deal with the Kings, has been questioned and that he has sought to refute.
“To all those people who say I don’t like basketball: to hell with that,” he stated firmly. “I like everything about it. For me, it’s an art. When I’m playing I can get creative, push myself to give my best, and compete against the most talented players. It’s in my blood, something I’ve been doing since I was a baby.”
The Australian even emphasized how much work he has had to put in to return to the league, noting that someone who truly didn’t feel passion for basketball would never have undertaken such a process.
“I love this sport. If that weren’t the case, I wouldn’t have taken a year to focus on myself and return to the state I’m in now. I miss playing, I miss it a lot, but it’s very hard to play when you’re not physically well. But now I’m healthy and I’m ready to compete every day.”
