ESPN pundit Stephen A. Smith has ruffled feathers throughout his extensive career in sports media. The most recent individual to express displeasure is Bernie Lee, agent to Brooklyn Nets forward Ben Simmons.
Lee took issue with Smith’s remarks made on “The OGs Show” podcast, where Smith questioned Simmons’ injury history, stating, “he’s fortunate he isn’t incarcerated for theft.”
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When approached by NetsDaily for comment on Smith’s remarks, Lee sharply criticized the ESPN personality.
“Frankly, I believe Stephen A. is foolish, and I wish he still had his TV show so I could confront him in his audience while he attempted to perform his job… but alas, it was canceled,” Lee told the outlet.
Smith had commented on the situation by noting that Simmons did not enjoy the game and did not want to play and that he was not saying that he was injured
Is Ben Simmons expected to appear for the Nets this season?
The Nets acquired Ben Simmons in a major 2022 trade that saw James Harden move to the Philadelphia 76ers. Initially seen as a strong complement to Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Simmons, known for his passing skills and defensive prowess, was expected to thrive alongside the Nets’ star duo.
However, Simmons’ tenure with the Nets began with setbacks. He was sidelined due to a back injury upon joining the team and struggled upon his return the following season, appearing tentative and dealing with foul trouble. Despite showing promising athleticism in the 2023 preseason, he faced another setback when he re-aggravated his back injury after a strong start to the season, missing a significant stretch of games.
Now, heading into a contract year, the hope is that Simmons has overcome his back issues and will be motivated to demonstrate his abilities on the court.
