The Sacramento Kings held their media day on Monday, Sept. 28 and there was lots of anticipation to hear from newly signed forward-guard Ben Simmons.
Simmons signed with Sacramento to round out their roster, filling their final open spot.
Simmons comes with a chip on his shoulder ready to prove wrong the doubters who had negative things to say about his career. He's sat out a lot in recent years. The 6-foot-10 combo guard has missed time throughout his career due to chronic back problems, a series of leg injuries and mental hurdles that have prevented him from being the best version of himself. He missed the entire 2025-26 season to rehabilitate his body from his lingering injuries.
Critics have questioned his love for the game. Simmons dismissed
the haters and asserted his passion for hoops in an expletive statement during Kings media day.
"I think that was more so just my body. It wasn't about if I wanted to play. All these people talk about I don't love the game. That's (expletive)," Simmons said. "I love this game. If I didn't, I wouldn't have taken that year to you know focus on myself and get back to where I'm at."
"That's just people talking. So you hear stuff all the time. It's just people talking. People want clicks. People want to get their podcast off," Simmons said about his critics. "So it does get a point, but I think you know at this stage of my career and life, like I'm not worried about it."
Simmons returns to NBA, fresh and ready to play ball. Whether or not the rest of the league and pundits believe, the Kings are taking the chance.
Simmons is expected to play backup point guard to Darius Acuff Jr. However, minutes alongside him are also a possibility, according to a source close to the team.
The Kings have placed emphasis on being relentless, scrappy defenders and Simmons fits that mold with his flexibility.
The Kings can benefit from his size. A source close to the team said there's belief in his versatility to defend every position on the floor that'll make Sacramento a bigger team.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sacramento Kings guard Ben Simmons addresses critics in expletive clip
