Sacramento Kings Media Day
Sacramento Kings Media Day
Ben Simmons is believed to be a great trash talker, according to an ESPN reporter and insider who worked on the former No. 1 pick’s documentary about his NBA return.
Talking in an interview with Kevin John of ABC10 Sport, ESPN and Andscape’s Marc J. Spears said Simmons is a great trash talker while he is debunking the biggest misconceptions about Simmons’ character.
“I think he can come across as uppity, kind of elitist, right? But Ben is cool, man. He’s a good trash talker and has an amazing sense of humor,” he said, before highlighting Simmons’ fun side. “He’s tongue-in-cheek. He’ll push you, but he can take it, too.”
“He’s actually a pretty cool and fun guy. He’s very smart and business-savvy. To be 30 years old and own a fishing franchise is pretty unique.”
“Ben is cool. He’s a good trash talker. He has an amazing sense of humor…He was an absolute gem to work with.”
Marc Spears talks about the character of Ben Simmons. Spears provides an in-depth look into Simmons in the upcoming ESPN E60 documentary ‘Being Ben.’
What Is The Ben Simmons Documentary About?
Toronto Raptors v Philadelphia 76ers
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 29: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Wells Fargo Center on December 29, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The upcoming ESPN E60 documentary, titled Being Ben, explores the turbulent career and highly anticipated return of former No. 1 overall draft pick Simmons.
The documentary premieres on Sunday, October 18, and is expected to feature chronicles of Simmons’ journey from his early basketball roots in Melbourne, Australia, to his rapid ascent as an NBA All-Star with the Philadelphia 76ers.
It is expected to confront the intense media scrutiny and mental and physical challenges that reshaped his NBA trajectory, focusing on his controversial fallout with Philadelphia following the infamous passed-up dunk in Game 7 of the 2021 Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Simmons returns to the NBA after signing a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Sacramento Kings after sitting out the entire 2025-2026 season to focus on back rehabilitation and mental recovery.
According to reports, Simmons convinced Sacramento’s general manager Scott Perry during a private workout that he was healthy and genuinely missed competing.
He made his preseason debut for the Kings on October 10, logging just under nine minutes of action, scoring 7 points, and noting that his body felt strong and the game had slowed down for him.
Marc Spears Explains What Side Of Ben Simmons Will Be Revealed In The Documentary
Sacramento Kings v Los Angeles Lakers
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 08: Ben Simmons #25 of the Sacramento Kings looks on against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter in a preseason game at Crypto.com Arena on October 08, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
For Marc Spears, the documentary will give the audience an idea of how big is basketball in the life of Ben Simmons, who often gets criticized for his mentality about the game.
“One thing people will learn from this documentary is how much he truly loves basketball,” Spears said. “If he didn’t, he wouldn’t still be playing because he doesn’t have to. He’s made a significant amount of money. He’s not from here, so he could go home. But he fought through the injury to get back into a Kings uniform.”
He also revealed that Simmons was unfiltered throughout the documentary and could provide some unique tidbits about his basketball mind.
“I think he’s been amazing to work with. He showed up early, didn’t duck any questions and was engaged. It was almost like he was one of the producers because he really took ownership of it. I assume he brings the same professionalism to the NBA. I’ve rarely seen a pro athlete be that good,” Spears said.
The documentary will be premiering ahead of the 2026-2027 NBA season where the Kings are expected to field Simmons as a starter.
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Rob Andrew Lo Rob Andrew Lo is a writer at Heavy Sports and is covering the NBA. He has covered local, collegiate, professional and international sports in various sites. He was the sports editor of The Varsitarian, the official student publication of University of Santo Tomas, and a sports, entertainment, and lifestyle writer for Rappler. A Journalism graduate from the University of Santo Tomas, he has built his voice across both collegiate and international platforms, previously contributing NBA coverage to Fansided and Sportskeeda. More about Rob Andrew Lo