With the first pick in the 2017 NBA draft, the Philadelphia 76ers chose “Trusting the Process”, again. Trusting the process this time did not yield the team another big man. Instead, the Sixers drafted the best guard and perhaps best player in the draft, Markelle Fultz of Washington.
Drafting Fultz came as no surprise as Sixers center Joel Embiid relentlessly posted on social media about the inevitability of the two playing together.
According to Sixers fans, the new nickname is the "FEDS" (Fultz, Embiid, Dario, Simmons).. the FEDS are coming ???#TheProcess
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) June 22, 2017
Fultz has already seemed to warm up to Embiid, praising him in an article he wrote in The Player’s Tribune.
“It’s funny though — as excited as I am, Joel Embiid is 10 times more turnt right now. He’s probably popping off on Twitter or IG as we speak,” wrote Fultz soon after being selected as the first pick. “Since I visited, I swear Joel’s texted me 75 times since then. I’m not mad, I’m just concerned about his data plan. Sorry, did I say Joel Embiid? I meant Mayor Embiid. Philly’s No. 1 spokesperson. He would be a great mayor.”
Many believe drafting Fultz completed the era of “Trust the Process”. The team will have two first overall picks play together next year, Markelle Fultz and Ben Simmons, and will have a hopefully healthy Joel Embiid to anchor the team. Philly fans have long awaited the return of basketball dominance to the city of Brotherly Love. The charisma of Embiid, the killer mindset of Fultz and the calming presence of Simmons will hopefully bring the city the same exciting play that they once witnessed in the early 2000’s with Allen Iverson.
Over the last several years, the Sixers took a lot of heat for tanking every season to try to improve their chances in the draft. Even last year, with sparks of brilliance from Embiid and Dario Saric, fans were pleading the organization to play the duo more in an effort to make the playoffs. The Sixers’ management ignored these pleas, and now they have the piece that could finally validate Sam Hinkie’s process.
The Sixers are now built for the current NBA style of play. With Embiid, they have a versatile big who can step out and hit a three while also protecting the rim at the other end. Simmons gives the team an athletic, long wing who can give the team a LeBron-like facilitator. Finally, Fultz’s ability to score and run the pick and roll will enable the Sixers to run an offense that can score in any position and anywhere on the court
The key word in Philadelphia right now is potential. The buzz surrounding the Sixers does not mean they will make the playoffs this year, or maybe even next year. The Timberwolves had an accumulation of similar talent and have yet to even sniff a playoff birth. The Eastern Conference’s lack of competition should help the Sixers move swiftly through the conference, but, for now, Philly fans should let Coach Brett Brown continue to develop his personnel. The Warriors and Cavaliers will reign supreme for the next couple years, and, on their aging downfall, teams like the Sixers will have their time to shine.
Through making health and development a priority, the Sixers will set themselves up to dominate the league. Long gone will be the memories of tanking season after tanking season, and their dynamic, versatile players at every position will be the model for the rest of the NBA. A deep playoff run may be a bit in the distant future, but, at a time where the league is dominated by super teams, there could not be a better time to sit back and watch your players develop.
If Philly fans can take solace in anything, Fultz appears to be a perfect fit for the grit and grind nature of the city. In his essay in The Player’s Tribune, after praising Embiid, he took exception to the Sixers’ center claiming the “Trust the Process” motto as his own.
“But now that I’ve paid Joel a few compliments, I’m afraid I have to blow up his spot. Because if you ask me, I’m the one who really invented ‘Trust the Process’.”
