In 2013, the Sixers brought on Sam Hinkie as general manager. The Daryl Morey protege took a sledgehammer to the roster, hoping to pull the franchise out of NBA purgatory and into perpetual relevancy.
You could liken the next decade-plus to getting on a rollercoaster that never stops and is on fire. Sure, there have been thrilling moments, but sometimes, you just really wanted to get off the ride.
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Now, 13 years later, LeBron James is a Philadelphia 76er. You did it, Sixers fans. You trusted the process. It wasn’t easy. In fact, it was downright tortuous at times, but you’re here. Like Andy Dufresne, you crawled through a river of shit and came out clean on the other side.
It feels like every so often I write a column and wind up rehashing everything you went through. Nearly securing the worst single-season record in NBA history — a record held by this very organization. Having a nepobaby executive foisted upon you only for him to be embroiled in a Twitter scandal which led to his ouster. The draft pick injuries, including Zhaire Smith nearly dying from a sesame seed allergy. And if I had a nickel for every time the Sixers took a guy No. 1 overall who couldn’t shoot … well, I’d have two nickels, but super weird that it happened twice!
Even as the franchise took steps forward, it felt like a step back was coming.
The best example is making blockbuster trades for Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris, then choosing Harris over Butler in free agency (or pissing off Butler enough to make him not want to re-sign, whatever you want to believe). Nearly trading for James Harden, Ben Simmons’ brutal playoff stretches — culminating in The Pass — then actually trading for Harden, being minutes away from the Eastern Conference Finals, choking that away, and then Harden calling Morey a liar. That led to the cap space plan … which did lead to signing Paul George, which led to trading for Jaylen Brown, which led to signing LeBron James.
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All those Joel Embiid injuries and procedures. All the roster, coaching and front office upheaval has brought you here.
Of course, there are no guarantees. On paper, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Brown, James and Embiid looks like one of the most talented starting fives the sport has ever seen. That doesn’t mean the Sixers get to skip steps along the way. It’s an overabundance of talent, which beats the hell out of the alternative. It’s fair to wonder how these stars coalesce — but it’s equally fair to wonder who the hell is going to stop them?
Let the folks in Cleveland and Miami consume the sourest of grapes. Allow the national folks to twist themselves into a Philly soft pretzel over LeBron’s decision. It truly does not matter.
Today is not the day for the detractors and naysayers. They’ve had their fun for the last decade or so. It’s your time, Sixers fans.
Talk your shit, Philly. Puff your chests out. Throw some chalk up in the air. Order yourself a LeBron jersey (if you can find one). Dream big.
Lord knows you’ve earned it.
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