Even though some of us make a living out of the sports business, for most people, sports are entertainment and something they use to get away from their everyday routines. However, professional athletes can deal with sports that way because it can get too personal.
Tuning into sports shows where they’re talking about you or your team 24/7 can get quite uncomfortable for them. People always questioning them, their skills, their ability to step or, or whatever, can take a toll on your confidence.
That’s why Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons claims that there’s no ESPN or sports shows at his home. Unless there’s a good game going on, that’s just not allowed:
“There’s no SportsCenter, unless it’s a game going on or something like that. There’s no Stephen A., there’s none of that. Yeah, turn that off. Turn that sh*t off [laughs]. That’s just how I am. It’s gone from people watching and enjoying sports and a couple of people talking, to you’re in Vegas and you see the tickers on the bottom of the screen explaining all these comments and what this guy or that guy did. Less is more, sometimes,” Simmons told Uproxx.
Of all people, Simmons should know a thing or two about being on the wrong side of TV pundits. He’s been questioned over and over because of his health, whether he shoots with the wrong hand, his lack of shots, his ability to coexist with Joel Embiid, or even his alleged relationship with Kendall Jenner.
The former first-overall pick is doing a good job of shutting down all the outside noise and just working on his craft, becoming the frontrunner to win the Defensive Player of the Year award and one of the best playmakers in the league.
This season, Simmons has averaged 14.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game on 54.5% shooting, leading the Sixers to the best record in the Eastern Conference. So yeah, whatever works for you at home, Ben.
