BY JAKE MOORE
By Jake Moore
Just over five years ago, the Philadelphia 76ers made some changes, hiring Spurs assistant coach Brett Brown and--more importantly--hiring Sam Hinkie, the man who would change the face of lottery teams in the league.
Hinkie knew that rebuilding one of the most historic franchises in the league would be no simple task and he was going to be no stranger to ravaging criticism from one the most ferocious sports cities in the world. Hinkie needed to make sure that he had a proper staff surrounding him with the same mentality and resolve.
"I was pretty candid with Brett throughout the process, about the challenges ahead.” Hinkie said in a 2013 press conference. “There has to be trust."
In time, Philly fans would take the word “process” and made it their own, quickly becoming synonymous with the Sixers.
The “Process” was a fancy word for what we now consider “tanking” in the NBA, and the Sixers quickly mastered the art of the tank. The first real move in the process was the Sixers trading guard, Jrue Holiday and Pierre Jackson to the Pelicans for Kentucky big-man, Nerlens Noel. The trade had major ripple effects on the Sixers as several key pieces left in free agency while others were released from the team. These subtractions led the Sixers to a 19-63 record on the 2013-2014 season. However, this abysmal performance would unite the Sixers with their would be franchise player--Joel Embiid.
In 28 games at Kansas, Embiid showed immense promise, averaging just over 11 points and eight rebounds. Standing at seven feet tall with 7’5 wingspan, Embiid was an absolutely freak of nature. Going into the draft, many had Embiid listed as a top prospect, but stress fracture shortly before the draft caused Embiid to fall to the third pick--right into the grasp of the Philadelphia 76ers.
After a 10-72 season, Sam Hinkie, the crux of the “process”, resigned. Some were relieved but others were disappointed that the “process” was not able to see its full growth. But TJ McConnell said it best, the “process” ended with the Sixers falling to the Celtics in the second round of the eastern conference playoffs.
Flash Forward almost seven months and the Sixers have, arguably, the best starting five in the Eastern Conference. A lineup consisting of Ben Simmons, JJ Reddick, Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris and Joel Embiid.
Embiid has proven himself to be a potential MVP (if not Finals MVP candidate in the league). As of February 10, Embiid is putting up top tier numbers with 27.2 points, 13.5 rebounds, as well as 3.5 assists. The real assist powerhouse on the Sixers is point forward, Ben Simmons.
In fact, Ben Simmons' stat line this year is unreal compared to other “point guards” in the league, what other distributor in the league is averaging eight assists AND nine rebounds a game? The Sixers were efficient enough in the 2017-2018 season, but when the opportunity for Elton Brand, the Sixers new GM, (following the fiasco that was Bryan Colangelo) had to expand, he leaped at the opportunity like the Sixers launching upwards in the Eastern Conference standings.
On November 10 of 2018, the Sixers traded “process” acquisitions Dario Saric, Robert Covington, Jerryd Bayless, and 2022 second round pick for all-star caliber star Jimmy Butler.
If you have a team that can say Jimmy Butler is your third best player, you may have something special on your hands, but Elton Brand wasn’t done making the Sixers an immediate title contender.
One day before the trade deadline, in the cold darkness of a Philadelphia evening, Elton Brand made the trade of the year. Philadelphia acquired yet another all-star level player in Tobias Harris. The Sixers did pay the King’s ransom for Harris however, sending Landry Shamet, Philly’s 2020 first round pick, Detroit’s 2021 and 2023 second round picks, Miami’s 2021 first round pick while also sending Wilson Chandler and Mike Muscala. The Sixers also acquired fan favorite Boban Marjanovic and Mike Scott.
Did Philadelphia overpay for Tobias Harris--whom is free agent this summer? Possibly. But is the risk-reward worth it? That is yet to be seen.
In an Eastern Conference where the term, “up for grabs”, is an understatement....I would certainly be keeping an eye on the Sixers. Even if their bench is rather weak compared to teams like the Toronto Raptors and the Boston Celtics.
But this Philly team has impressed me, even in their missteps (like the recently traded Markelle Fultz). If you are a league pass subscriber, this is the team to watch.