The Process 3.0: for the 76ers, it’s time for hard truths
The Philadelphia 76ers are entering a new phase of The Process after their collapse against the Knicks. Between structural flaws and growing uncertainty, Joel Embiid and company are being pushed toward another reset
It is time for yet another rebuild in Philadelphia. The franchise that coined the term “The Process” is preparing to enter the third phase of its rebuild, a cycle that began in 2014 and seems to have no end.
The Process: from the beginning to the first Embiid era
2014 marked the start with the Draft selection of Joel Embiid, the cornerstone of the Philadelphia 76ers’ vision. Then came Jahlil Okafor (2015), Ben Simmons (2016) and Markelle Fultz (2017). On paper, it looked like a core built to dominate the NBA.
But the project stalled: Okafor and Fultz failed to meet expectations, while the Embiid-Simmons pairing never truly developed into a legitimate contender.
Process 2.0 and the illusion of a breakthrough
After the first failure, Process 2.0 tried to restart by betting on Paul George. The plan was clear: pair him with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey to finally make the leap.
But that combination never truly worked. The talent was there. The consistency was not.
The historic comeback from a 3-1 deficit against the Celtics had created hope that a turning point had arrived. But the sweep suffered against the New York Knicks brought everything back to reality: the journey was still incomplete.
The structural ceiling of the Sixers
The Knicks forced an uncomfortable truth into the open. The 4-0 playoff series result is a clear verdict: as currently built, the Philadelphia 76ers are not an NBA championship team.
The talent of Embiid, George and Maxey guarantees competitiveness and star power, but it is not enough to match the level of true contenders.
Without depth, defensive balance and versatility, Philadelphia remains unfinished.
Tension between players and staff, along with constant uncertainty regarding player availability, made the season highly volatile, difficult to evaluate and even harder to consider a true foundation for a fresh start.
Beyond the frustration, the 4-0 loss to the Knicks confirmed the bigger picture: as currently constructed, the Sixers cannot realistically compete for a title.
Embiid at the crossroad and the future of the Philadelphia 76ers
Joel Embiid, now 32 years old, is entering the most delicate phase of his career and finds himself at a crossroads alongside the franchise.
The talent of Maxey and Edgecombe represents the future, but the present demands bold decisions. Philadelphia remains stuck between ambition and reality.
Without a solid structure and without roster depth, the risk is remaining trapped once again in an endless cycle of delays and unfinished plans.
Now, for the Philadelphia 76ers, change is no longer an option. It is a necessity.