Ben Simmons Says 'Basketball Is My Life' Amid Career Criticism

Simmons said he will always be part of the game of basketball.

March 18, 2025

A basketball player in a Los Angeles Clippers jersey on the court.

(Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

Ben Simmons has claimed basketball is his life despite people questioning his heart on the court.

In an interview with ClutchPoints, Simmons reflected on the criticism he's received for his lack of play over the years in the NBA. Simmons missed his entire rookie season due to an injury, and he's had his fair share of interesting on-court moments that had fans trolling him all over social media.

According to Simmons, basketball is important to him and his family and something he's done his whole life. The game has given him numerous opportunities, and even though people feel he's not giving his all, he's going to be involved in it in some way.

"Basketball is my life. I don't want to play with my life. So that's who I am. It's in the family, it's in the blood. This is what I do. It's like walking. I love it. This is just what I do. Wake up, basketball's my thing. And I love the game. I love the opportunities it's given me in life and my family," said Simmons. "So, I mean, even when I step away from the game one day, I'll still be involved in some aspect, whether it's coaching, whether it's helping the youth and giving back. That's just what I'm going to do."

Simmons is currently averaging 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists this year between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers. He was expected to have a great career, but things didn't work out for him due to injuries, and he appeared to look like he was not playing to his full potential on the court.

Elsewhere in his interview with ClutchSports, Simmons had words for Stephen A. Smith, who's openly criticized him for his lack of production on the court over the years.

"Like, imagine if I just said like, name whoever, and said whatever," he said. "It doesn't hold any weight, you know? Like, where does it come from? It's just their thought, it's their opinion, and everyone's entitled to their opinion, but I've been doing this my whole life since I was four years old. So nothing is going to change that. Yeah, nothing's just going to change that out of nowhere."