At the conclusion of the 2015-2016 season, the Philadelphia 76ers were a mess.
They had just finished the regular season with a 10-72 record, one off of the worst mark in NBA history, ironically set by the 1972-1973 incarnation of the team that won 9 games. 2015-2016 capped a three year stretch where the team went a combined 47-199. Fans were despondent and irate, at how a team that was in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals four years prior, could now be so bad. Then General Manager Sam Hinkie's motto of "Trust the Process" was beginning to wear thin on the Philly faithful.
Fast forward to present day, and the 76ers' future is as bright as any team's in the league. They have franchise pillars at the most important positions - Ben Simmons at point guard and Joel Embiid at center. Embiid has 4 years remaining on a 5 year, $148 million deal he signed prior to this past season, and GM Elton Brand make sure that he secured the future of the organization by re-signing the other half of the young duo, Ben Simmons, yesterday re-upping him at 5 years, $170 million.
Simmons, 22, is coming off a season in which he made his first all-star appearance, with averages of 16.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists. He is 6'10, 230, and, while most want to make the comparisons to LeBron James, i see, left hand and all, a 2.0 version of Lamar Odom. Simmons, for all of his positives - size, vision, athleticism - lacks the ability to knock down open jump shots. Teams sag off on him, give him space, and dare him to beat them shooting the ball rather than guarding him tight which would put them at a disadvantage when he goes to the basket. That is, as has been mentioned so often, his glaring weakness.
Having him paired with Embiid, and with both players under the age of 25 and their recent success, it's clear that the days of suffering in Philadelphia are long gone. Simmons needs to develop his jump shot, but that is the last piece needed to add to his game, and he is still just 22 years old. The Sixers are a team that is on the up and up in the Eastern Conference, a gauntlet that became a little easier this offseason when Kawhi Leonard left Toronto for the Los Angeles Clippers and Al Horford joined the 76ers from the Boston Celtics.
2016 seems like a long time ago now, and Hinkie's "Trust the Process" motto that had some Sixer fans optimistic and others ripe with impatience and frustration, has come to fruition - though he isn't with the organization anymore to see it. Inking Embiid to a long term deal was the first piece to the puzzle, and now, getting Simmons long term was that last piece to complete it.
The foundation is firmly planted. Now all that's left to do is win the ultimate prize.
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