Stephen A. Smith was on ESPN yesterday evening absolutely destroying the Philadelphia 76ers ownership over the Ben Simmons saga that has ruined the lives of Sixers fans over the past nine months.

The entire rant was refreshing and gave another side of the typical updates and reports that we have heard from just about everyone throughout the entire situation.

Stephen A. Smith suggests that Joshua Harris and 76ers ownership are the ones to blame in regards to not moving Ben Simmons before the trade deadline and that Daryl Morey, if he wasn’t handcuffed, would have gotten a deal done already.

Stephen A. Smith – Joshua Harris

Smith cites countless examples of what has been done wrong by ownership over the past years with the 76ers. Here’s a quick rundown from the video above.

• Sam Hinkie – Tanking for 5 Years
• Bad draft picks
• Trading Away Assets to get Tobias Harris
• Losing out on Jimmy Butler
• Al Horford
• Ben Simmons going AWOL

Morey handcuffed by ownership is the last point Smith makes, citing that Daryl “likes shooters” and Ben Simmons “cant shoot” (fact check: true).

Stephen A. Smith doesn’t believe there is any possible way that Morey wouldn’t have made a deal yet unless he was being handcuffed by ownership.

Let me tell you, Stephen A. makes a strong case but I’m not completely on board.

Daryl Morey arrived in Philadelphia and immediately wanted to move Ben Simmons at the trade deadline a year ago for James Harden. That obviously didn’t happen. It was also most likely the boiling point for Simmons being unhappy in Philadelphia, realizing that Joel Embiid is the franchise.

Ben Simmons couldn’t handle that realization because he’s a jealous, immature baby.

The point is that Morey has always been willing to part ways with Ben Simmons. However, I understand that at this stage in the Simmons saga, Morey is dealing with a situation that has literally never happened before, so what he’s thinking now could have very well changed.

Morey could be waiting for his All-Star return (James Harden) this offseason and honestly, I’m okay with that happening. Sure, it would be nice to give Joel Embiid some role players but I would much rather land a player like Harden after this season and almost certainly make us a championship contender next year.

Either way, there’s plenty of blame to go around. Blame Joshua Harris and the 76ers organization. Blame Daryl Morey. Blame Ben Simmons for causing this entire disaster that we have all been going through this year. The entire thing is a mess and unfortunately, it looks like that mess is here to stay until the offseason.

The Sixers are back in action tonight against the Sacramento Kings in South Philly.