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"They're not kissing your a– no more" – Josh Smith calls out ex-NBA players over mental health claims
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- "They're not kissing your a– no more" – Josh Smith calls out ex-NBA players over mental health claims
Life after the NBA can be tough for many players. Some deal with financial issues; some even file for bankruptcy. There are those who have money that will last them generations. But they suffer from mental health issues after separation from the pro game.
Former Atlanta Hawks star Josh Smith advocates for his peers who have gone through and are going through mental health issues. But he also says that most ex-players who say that they suffer from mental health disorders actually don't have that problem. They are simply having a hard time reintegrating into the general public after being in the spotlight for a long time.
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"When guys get out of the league, and then they start screaming mental health, it kind of makes me mad because what was all that when you was in the league? Them owners and them organizations wouldn't have paid you all that money if they knew you had mental health problems," Smith explained .
Smith on ex-NBA players' mental health issues
Retiring from the NBA can leave ex-players feeling lost away from the game. They feel lonely without their teammates. They miss the attention and recognition of fans. Some of them struggle with finding new purposes in life.
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However, Smith says these are part of life more than a mental health disorder.
"You're just going through a phase in life where people walking past you, they're not asking you for autographs, they're not kissing your a– no more. And you have to figure out how to blend back in with society and be a regular person when it comes to going to parks, talking to civilians, fans, people that might not have been on TV who you can't recognize," he said.
"That's the whole thing that you got to merge back into because when you're in the NBA, it's just like any performer; when they're at their peak, they're enjoying life. It's like a dream," Smith added.
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Mental health conditions are diagnosed
Mental health disorders aren't just something that a player or anybody, for that matter, can claim that he is suffering from. These conditions are clinically diagnosed by a qualified professional.
That said, these retirement-related emotional struggles can develop into mental health disorders if they persist, meet the established diagnostic criteria and are formally diagnosed by a qualified mental health practitioner.
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For example, Delonte West was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and depression. Meanwhile, Larry Sanders sought treatment for anxiety and depression, and so did Kevin Love, who also suffered from panic attacks.
Smith experienced it too
Smith admitted that he faced similar demons shortly after retirement. But it was just a phase in his reintegration into society. Eventually, he found his purpose: his kids' love of the game. Now he enjoys being around the game again.
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"When I first got out, I couldn't watch basketball. I couldn't even watch it. I didn't want to go to any games. That's real. And I empathize with guys who are dropping down and getting back into the real world. It was difficult. But I made it through. I'm watching games. I'm having fun. I'm pouring into these young kids. I think when my kids found a love for basketball, that's what kind of changed it," Smith concluded.
Related: Delonte West says 10-year addiction battle started with liquor store errand
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Nov 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
