First Take-down: Stephen A's odd Ben Simmons obsession

• ‍Ben Simmons had 'all the talent in the world'‍
• Ben Simmons' stunning comment on 76ers reunion‍
• The Ballard of Aussie Benjamin David Simmons

Is Ben Simmons becoming to Stephen A Smith what LeBron James was to his former television debate partner Skip Bayless?

The mega media personality simply cannot leave the Aussie free agent alone, even when he's not playing in the NBA.

Always good for a Simmons hot take while he was playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets or Los Angeles Clippers - Smith somehow brought it back to the former No.1 draft pick when analysing the Los Angeles Lakers' chances of doing damage in this year's playoffs on the popular ESPN show 'First Take'.

"The Lakers are allergic to hitting perimeter shots when they're open. They actually hit more contested perimeter shots than they do when they're open, which is what drives JJ Redick crazy... That's why you look at the Los Angeles Lakers and you're like, because when you can't make open perimeter shots, I mean, they ain't quite Ben Simmons," Smith said.

"But in the same breath, it's like, damn, when all you got to do is run to the paint area and you daring them to shoot, that's a problem.

"I'm just pointing out that they got trouble shooting perimeter shots. On this show, as long as first take is in existence, Ben Simmons will catch strays. We have never, ever, ever, ever seen, let me tell you something right now, I ain't apologising for it to a damn soul, there is no bigger thief in the history of the NBA than (Simmons).

"You talk about a dude that would not shoot the damn basketball. That is the biggest thief... If Ben Simmons runs near a basketball arena, he should be arrested. (9:49) That's how bad it was."

Smith didn't stop there, continuing to hammer the former 76ers superstar.

"Now, if the man walked away from the game, that would be different, but that man made sure his check cleared twice a month in the NBA. He went to the bank account. You so traumatised that you can't shoot, but you wasn't traumatised to go to TD or Wells Fargo or someplace like that to make sure your money was in that bank account while you refused to shoot the basketball.

"I'll tell you again, on this show, when you talk about shade, Ben Simmons going to always get it. Always get it until that man show up."

Smith's take, which was probably his 1000th segment on Simmons, is reminiscent of his former First Take co-host in Bayless, who is known for his unusual obsession for criticism the NBA's all-time leading scorer, no matter what he did.

This can be seen even as recent as earlier this month when Bayless and Smith reunited on a podcast, where he downplayed James' iconic block on Andre Iguodala in Game 7 of the 2016 NAB Finals.

Smith's constant obsession with bringing up Simmons' name is becoming just as tedious - probably more so actually, considering Simmons isn't even on the floor at the moment and is instead kicking back and enjoying life, spending most of his time fishing.

For Bayless, at least James is still playing.

Calling Simmons a "thief" is also quite a stretch considering he is a three-time NBA All-Star and was one of the most dominant players in the league during his prime.

Also, how successful have the 76ers been since his departure? Cough cough

The modern day game is about players, especially your star players having the confidence to go out and perform, and usually (rightly or wrongly) it comes down to the support and their head coaches having their back.

Look at an example in the NBL recently where the legendary Brian Goorjian went to extreme lengths to show star import Kendric Davis he had his back. Shouting expletives at South East Melbourne Phoenix guard Owen Foxwell.

Could it have come across the wrong way? Yes. Think Goorjian cares if Davis performs knowing full well his coach has his back? Hell no.

Maybe Doc Rivers, who was the 76ers coach during Simmons' departure from the City of Brotherly Love (ironic, I know), as well as Stephan A Smith could take a leaf out of Goorjian's book?