Philadelphia 76ers: A full timeline of the failed “Process” and where it went wrong
By Justin Chen
The Arrival of The Process Himself, Joel Embiid [2014]
All the tanking from last season meant that Hinkie got his guy in Joel Embiid in the 2014 draft. A big man from Kansas with defensive prowess, Embiid was also coming off a back injury just before the draft, eerily sharing traits of defense and injury like Noel from last year. Embiid had also “suffered a stress fracture” in his right foot, according to Embiid’s agent Arn Tellem.
Nevertheless, Hinkie believed that he would be instrumental in The Process and still selected him, knowing the risks. Hinkie also wasn’t done, trading away Elfrid Payton for Dario Saric and drafting K.J McDaniels and Jerami Grant. Due to the missed time from Embiid and Saric staying in Europe, the tank for these high first-rounders continued on in the search for more high first-rounders and led to an absurdly terrible 0-17 start in the 2014-2015 season.
Just one season removed from being Rookie of the Year and being a consistent starter as well as having the potential to be a rising star, Carter-Williams was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for Hinkie’s favorite: a first-round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers, being top-3 protected in 2016 and 2017. The team finished as a bottom feeder again, going 18-64.
However, Noel returned and was named First Team All-Rookie, a small win in another lost season.
Another Draft, Another Big Man [2015]
Holding the third overall pick like last year, Philadelphia once again selected a big man in the form of Duke center Jahlil Okafor. Though he was extremely proficient in scoring in the post, unlike the other big man picks before him, his defensive skills were much to be desired. Just like last year, the 76ers went 0-17 to start the 2015 season, setting a new NBA record for consecutive losses dating back to last year.
The losing streak also made history, becoming the longest losing streak ever in the four major American sports.