The Process CURSED the Sixers...

#nba The Philadelphia 76ers have been one of the NBA’s most fascinating and cursed franchises of the past decade. This story traces how “The Process” began, how it worked, and why it still feels haunted to this day. It all started with Sam Hinkie, the Sixers’ general manager from 2013 to 2016, who intentionally tanked to stockpile draft picks under the mantra “Trust the Process.” His radical experiment turned the Sixers into a laughingstock before ownership forced him out, but his plan ultimately shaped the team’s future. Then came Joel Embiid, the face of the Process. Drafted third overall in 2014, he missed his first two seasons with foot injuries, then became one of the best players in basketball, a seven-time All-Star, MVP, and dominant scorer. But the curse struck again: injuries returned, and despite years of contention, Embiid and the Sixers have never made it past the second round. The curse didn’t stop there. Ben Simmons, the 2016 No. 1 pick, seemed like the franchise’s next cornerstone, elite defensively but unable to shoot. His infamous passed-up dunk in the 2021 playoffs marked the beginning of the end. After refusing to play for the team, Simmons was traded for James Harden, who soon demanded a trade of his own after another playoff collapse. Even before that, the Sixers let Jimmy Butler, the perfect embodiment of Philly toughness, walk in free agency after clashing with coaches and teammates. They chose Tobias Harris over Butler, a decision that aged poorly as Butler thrived in Miami while Harris became the face of Sixers fans’ frustration. And now, the latest chapter: Paul George signing a massive four-year max deal at 34 years old after an injury-plagued stint with the Clippers. Another gamble, another sign the Sixers haven’t learned their lesson. From Hinkie’s tanking to Embiid’s heartbreak, Simmons’ meltdown, Harden’s exit, and George’s questionable contract, it’s a saga of ambition, brilliance, and bad luck. A franchise that dared to cheat basketball fate and has been paying for it ever since. Maybe the Sixers weren’t cursed by God, but by “The Process” itself.