As a famous athlete — criticism is just a part of the job. If you are Ben Simmons, probably one of the most hated players in the NBA, the negative reactions are louder than the positive ones.
While shopping at a candy store in what seemed to be a mall, Simmons was approached by internet comedian Gerald Huston, who decided to approach the All-Star point guard while he was shopping — repeatedly calling him Russell Westbrook, who is currently on the Los Angeles Lakers.
“Oh my God. It’s you, bro!” Guston said in the clip after pounding his fist with Simmons. “Russell Westbrook, bro! Russell Westbrook, bro! Oh my God, bro!”
They ran into Ben Simmons at the mall 😅
(h/t @realnbaquotxz) pic.twitter.com/JRUYGR4xPQ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 18, 2022
At the beginning of the clip, Simmons seemed unfazed by the troll, however, after Guston continually kept calling him Westbrook, the Nets guard’s face turned sour, telling the comedian “don’t play with me.”
Things took another turn after the troll said: “I ain’t playing with you bro. Russell Westbrook bro. Can’t shoot bro. I’m Sorry, bro!”
His joke was is of course a reference to Simmons’ shooting struggles, which have been well documented and an issue for him dating back to his lone season at LSU. Similar to Simmons, Westbrook has had similar problems in his first year with the Lakers, shooting abysmally at times and started hearing the nickname “Westbrick” a lot more on social media.
Simmons, who was accompanied by two other men decided to exchange some words with the comedian while he was leaving the store.
As the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, Simmons was at one point compared to LeBron James due to his athleticism, passing prowess and ability to finish strong at the rim. It looked promising at first, but things haven’t really panned out that way in large part due to his inability and unwillingness to shoot the ball outside of the paint.
Although he and Westbrook’s mindsets towards the game of basketball are polar opposites, there is certainly a parallel between him and Westbrook, as both are liabilities in terms of outside shooting.
Despite not suiting up for the Sixers last season and doing the same once he was traded to Brooklyn, Simmons and the Sixers reached a confidential financial settlement agreement on the $20 million that was withheld from him.
Turning 26 this past July, the last time Simmons suited up was June 20th, 2021, when the Sixers were eliminated by the Atlanta Hawks in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
