Stephen A. Smith had some harsh words for the Philadelphia 76ers on ESPN’s NBA Countdown. The longtime sports journalist didn’t hold back his thoughts on the franchise and their star player Joel Embiid, who according to NBA insider Shams Charania is currently exploring surgery for a nagging knee injury, which has kept him off the floor this season. 

“The season is over, the city knows it, there’s no ‘brotherly love’ for the Sixers,” said an impassioned Smith. He would go on to say that the team should bench both Embiid and Paul George for the rest of the season and have their sights on the coming three seasons. In response, co-host Kendrick Perkins added similar sentiments by saying that the 76ers organization was “dysfunctional,” “lacking leadership,” and that they needed to “clean house,” suggesting that the only player that should be returning for next season is Tyrese Maxey. 

Embiid has not been himself, scoring 15 points or below in consecutive games for the first time since 2021. The 2023 MVP has only played in 19 games this season, averaging 23.8 points a game–ten points less than last season. In Charania’s report, sources told ESPN that Embiid’s knee continues to see some swelling, which head coach Nick Nurse said in a post-game interview has kept him from moving freely. 

In regards to Paul George, the small forward has also seen a significant dip in performance this season, averaging only a little over 16 points a game at an inefficient 42% from the field. The 76ers had acquired George in free agency last season, signing the former All-Star to a $212 million contract. It seems now that money may not be paying its dividends and further gives credence to the suggestion by Perkins that it may be time for the 76ers organization to make some bold moves come this off-season.