A revitalised Ben Simmons has called "bullshit" on critics who claim the reason he sat out the last NBA season is because he doesn't love basketball.
The Australian guard is back in the big league this year, having signed a $US3.5 million ($A4.9 million) deal with the Sacramento Kings.
Simmons purchased a controlling stake in a professional sport fishing team and didn't touch a basketball during his year off, in moves that drew plenty of criticism.
