Trust the Process? Trust the Process.
Being a fan of the 76ers is brutal. These past few years have been torture, considering that the team’s main priority was to lose as many games as possible in order to obtain top picks in the NBA draft via the draft lottery. We as Sixers fans were told to “Trust the Process” and it would all work out, but we never really knew what “The Process” was.
The process was apparently for Joel Embiid to rise from the ashes of the 76ers organization like a phoenix. There has been so much promise for Embiid since the moment he was drafted two years ago. He was projected to go top three or even No. 1 overall in some mock drafts. However, he suffered a right foot injury and fell a couple of spots to the Sixers. Fans went crazy when they saw that their organization drafted a player who had been compared to NBA legend Hakeem Olajuawan. I was skeptical on the pick but not because of his talent; I was worried that he might suffer another injury.
Embiid sat his first year out in Philadelphia and was set to return the following season. Sure enough, that hope was shattered when he re-injured his foot, requiring the same surgery once again. Embiid then sat out the next season, leaving Sixers fans frustrated and disappointed.
After two years, Embiid finally made his debut for the 76ers in October and he did not let us down. At 7 feet 2 inches, Embiid towers over his opponents. The unique quality possessed by the rookie center is his athleticism. He can do things that no other player at his height can do. For example, you would assume that, based on is build, he is a player that will rebound near the basket and lay the ball back in — just like any other center. However, Embiid is multi-talented and can shoot the ball as well. He leads the league in three point field goal percentage, which is unheard of for someone of his stature.
There is plenty to be excited for if you are a fan of the 76ers. The team already has proven that they will compete this year which is exciting to see after witnessing years of tanking. Ben Simmons, the first overall pick this year, has yet to play a game for the Sixers. Eyeing a return in January, the Sixers should then be able to elevate their game to the next level.
The Sixers have already proven that they can compete, hanging in with some top teams in the league, including two close games against the reigning NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers. Embiid is already having a huge impact on the team’s success, and he’s facing a minute restriction of 25 minutes per game. Once that restriction is lifted, he should be able to average some of the best numbers in the NBA.
After being forced to embrace a losing culture, the start to the Sixers season this year has been a breath of fresh air. Now all we can do is cross our fingers for no injuries and look forward to that great feeling of winning again.
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