Number 4 – Sixers draft Ben Simmons
Love him or hate him, drafting Ben Simmons was one of the biggest accomplishments of the Sixers this decade. Simmons was a day one star (after his mandatory one year of injury). He would be the most impressive player the Sixers boasted since Iverson had they not drafted Joel Embiid.
The consensus first pick in the draft, Simmons had a high floor with an immeasurable ceiling that resembled Magic Johnson and LeBron James. He hasn’t quite reached that but he is still only 23 years old. Simmons has all the potential in the world and can become a top-five player in this league if he wants to.
Yes, he has his flaws, but Simmons is full of talent and is superstar 1a for this team.
Number 3 – Final entry in the Kobe/AI rivalry
Allen Iverson meant more than this team and to this town than arguably any other Sixer. The lack of help given to him, the health issues, the early departure. The Allen Iverson era did not go as it should and that truly makes his story here a tragedy. And while yes it may have resulted in a tragedy, the ride was nothing if not exciting. Some of the best moments of the Iverson era came during the rivalry between him and Kobe Bryant.
AI and Kobe were two of the most polarizing players of their time so it’s natural that any meeting of the two would be an event. In their final meeting, Iverson and Kobe traded punches with AI scoring 23 points to Bryant’s 24. The Lakers would take the final meeting between the two hall-of-fame guards but Iverson put on a show.
Number 2 – Sixers win first playoff series in six years
The Process felt like an eternity, though the losing was only five years. The team and the fan-base had suffered a lot during that time but it was finally about to change. This would signify the first time the Sixers had made the playoffs for the first time since 2012. Not only did they make the playoffs, they even one their first series in that timeframe against the Miami Heat.
The Sixers were expected to be improved in the first year featuring a healthy Embiid and Simmons but the result was even more impressive than expected. Now obviously the Sixers did not win the in the Finals, but this was a sign of major improvement. The Sixers soon lost to the Boston Celtics but with the growth that season, the accomplishment can’t be taken away.
Number 1 – Sixers draft Joel Embiid
We have now come to the reason for the process, Joel “The Process” Embiid. Things weren’t all sunshine and roses leading up to this. The process had already damaged a part of the fanbase and even after drafting Embiid, he would miss the next two years with various injuries. In spite of all this, drafting Embiid was the single most important moment in the entire decade.
Leading the way back to relevance, Embiid has restored order to the force Sixers. Possibly the most dominant Big Man since Shaq, Embiid has yet to uncover his full potential which is incredible. Embiid will lead this team for years to come and if they win it all, it will be on his (no longer broken) back.
Here’s to the new year
It’s exciting to think about what the 20s will bring. The hope is that it will include at least one Sixers team hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy but that remains to be seen. Until then, remember the past, enjoy the present, and look to the future.
If there are any other POSTIVE moments this decade, let us know in the comments. Don’t worry, the worst moments recap will come.
Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
