Ben Simmons “All these people talk about me not loving the game. That’s bullshit. People just want to get their podcast off. I love the game. That’s why I took a year off to focus on myself and get back to where I’m at. Now the old Ben has woken up. I want to dominate every time I step on the floor”
New Sacramento Kings forward Ben Simmons spoke to the media for the first time since returning to the NBA and made it clear that he is ready for a fresh start.
Simmons is set to make his NBA comeback after stepping away from basketball for the entire 2025-26 season. After using that time to focus on his physical and mental health, the former All-Star says he is entering his return without any limitations.
“I’m right where I need to be. I took a lot of time to focus on my body over the season. I think it was the best thing I’ve done and decision I’ve made for my career,” Simmons said during Kings media day.
“I’m looking forward to getting going. I feel great and I’m ready to go. No limitations, so ready.”
Both Simmons and the Kings enter the new season with limited expectations from the outside, but the 30-year-old believes that could work in their favor.
“Yeah, it was really positive. There’s no pressure. You know, they don’t expect anything from us,” Simmons said.
“So I think for us to go out there and show that we’re capable of winning games and having a good team, I think that’s doable. And just based on this roster, I think we can do that.”
Simmons believes Sacramento’s situation mirrors his own, with both the player and the team having something to prove.
After spending a full season away from the NBA, Simmons also pushed back strongly against suggestions that he had lost his passion for basketball.
“What do I love about the game? Everything. It’s my art,” Simmons said. “You know, I get to come out here and be creative and play hard and compete against, you know, a numerous amount of talented guys. So for me, it’s just, it’s in my blood. I’ve been doing it since I was a baby.”
Simmons said his absence was never about a lack of desire to play, but rather about getting his body back to a point where he could compete.
“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 bullshit. I love this game.”
“If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have taken that year to focus on myself and get back to where I’m at.”
He also dismissed much of the outside criticism that followed him during his time away.
“That’s just people talking. Because you hear stuff all the time. It’s just people talking. People want clicks. People want to get their podcast off.”
Simmons still believes he has plenty to prove in the NBA and expressed confidence that he can once again resemble the player he was earlier in his career.
“Yeah, I’m there. He’s there. He woke up,” Simmons said when asked whether he feels like his former self again.
The former All-NBA guard explained that being physically healthy has also allowed him to rediscover his enjoyment of the game.
“I miss playing the game a lot. But it’s hard to when you’re not physically right. It’s hard to want to be out there and do what you love without physically being right,” Simmons said.
“So the fact that I’m healthy and I’m able to compete every day and play every day, I love it.”
When asked what he hopes to bring to Sacramento and what he expects from himself this season, Simmons kept his answer simple.
“To dominate. Every time I step on the floor, to dominate,” he stated.