Ben Simmons was really injured, despite the opinions of so many without a medical degree.

Former NBA players know basketball, but not medicine.

Many people got egg on their face after news of Ben Simmons broke. The Brooklyn Nets announced that the All-Star will have back surgery today. Simmons missed the entire season with injuries.

Simmons was lambasted by many talking TV heads after he backed out of the fourth game of the NBA playoffs with his team down three games to none.

Simmons was supposed to make his season debut in the playoffs against the Boston Celtics, but it was reported that he was finally healthy.

Simmons was ruled out after his health status changed. He was feeling pain after his back went south on him. Simmons was called pathetic and weak by many.

It was called a punk move by the studio host.

Reggie Miller blasted Simmons on the social networking site.

Cmon man! It was rumored that you would make your debut in Game 4. This dude is not competitive. As small a chance as the Nets have to come back in this series, all you need is to win one and take it from there.

Simmons stole money this season by not playing a single game, according to Perkins. He didn't play in the entire season. Carry on.

It makes for great hot takes and people feel good about themselves. Simmons is an easy target.

All were wrong.

Simmons mishandled his exit from Philadelphia.

What these guys, others in the media, and some fans did was an injustice, calling a man's health into question.

None of us have the right to do this.

You can't make an honest assessment of whether Simmons was injured or not unless you have examined his medical records.

No one knows what pain another man is in, not even a soon-to-be Hall of Fame center who won four titles.

The idea that Simmons was faking it because the Nets were down in the series made no sense. The back is difficult to put a handle on. A back issue could make it impossible for a person to play basketball in the NBA.

People were giving the viewing public feelings. They let their feelings get in the way of having an honest take on the situation. Athletes know what it takes to perform at a high level.

Can't imagine that anyone would offer an apology for being wrong, even if they knew his health status.

This is not new. We've seen doctors on TV before. Athletes who get hurt and don't go back into games are ripped by people on their couches.

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler was involved in a famous incident.

The guy gave off a vibe that most couldn't stand. Other athletes watching on TV unloaded on him when he came out and did not return from his injury. They questioned his strength.

Maurice Jones-Drew said that he could finish the game on a hurt knee.

It's true that Cutler suffered a knee injury. Doctors confirmed that his knee was injured.

Don't let the facts stop you from having a good hot take. Simmons has opened himself up to criticism for the way his career has gone over the last year. It is a fair game in many of those cases.

Analysts have a right to give an opinion. It should not be the case of telling someone they are not hurt when you don't know.

We have to take a man's word for it when it comes to health. There is no other way.

That is the reason so many were wrong.