The 2010s were a decade of dramatic changes for the Philadelphia 76ers. The team started with Allen Iverson's farewell season and are ending it with a Joel Embiid led superteam. A lot has happened in the past ten years, some of it was good, some bad, some incredible, some devastating. The good and the bad should be remembered. We should remember the good fondly while learning from the bad. Being that the feeling around the team currently positive (for the most part) that's where we'll start.
Here is a look at the top ten Sixer's moments this decade:
NUMBER 10 - The Process begins
Beginning our list is what began all that you see now, the Process. The process began by trading Jrue Holiday and Pierre Jackson to the New Orleans Pelicans for Nerlens Noel and the Pelicans 2014 first-round pick. The Process, so far, has been a success after years of struggles, but this remains at ten purely for the fact that the Sixers traded a budding young star for a bust, even though it also netted them Dario Saric.
NUMBER 9 - The 2012 Playoff run
The Sixers entered the 2012 NBA playoffs as the lowly eighth seed going against prime Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls. Unfortunately game one featured a horrific injury to Rose that altered his young career. If it had not occurred, the Sixers probably would have been swept and that certainly lessens the achievement.
The Sixers did go on the win the series against the Rose-less Bulls but the team continued to show more fight than anyone expected. Taking the Paul Pierce led Boston Celtics to a game 7 the Sixers earn the respect of many in the NBA.
NUMBER 8 - The TJ McConnell game
Processor for life, fan-favorite, more clutch than Kobe. Okay maybe not, but on January 11, 2017, TJ McConnell was elevated above almost anyone else in Philadelphia. McConnell, an undrafted point guard and heart of the process, took matters into his own hands to defeat the New York Knicks.
With the seconds winding down, McConnell received the ball and instead of passing per his nature, he shot a miracle spinning fadeaway to win the game. A special shot from a special player sealing a place in the hearts of Sixers fans. No, it didn't involve the playoffs or landing the team a star, but moments like these are important and must be treated as such.
NUMBER 7 - Hey now, you're an All-Star
Joel Embiid was finally coming into his own. In a season that saw him average almost 23 points and 11 rebounds, the Sixers finally had their first All-Star since Jrue Holiday. Not only that, but Embiid was also the Philadelphia player selected as a starter since Allen Iverson in 2010. He even made an impact in the game, scoring 19 points and pulling down 8 rebounds in 20 minutes.
This was the first of what will be many by the time Embiid calls it a career. Now considered a perennial All-Star, this game was a big steppingstone in Embiid's career. It was also one of the first signs of the success of the process.
NUMBER 6 - The Sixers unveil the Big 4
February 6th, 2019, that is the day that the Sixers traded for Tobias Harris to turn their Big three into a Big 4. The Sixers gave up a near king's ransom for Harris including sharp-shooter Landry Shamet. The trade did not result in a championship but it was far from a failure. Harris contributed to the winning attitude the Sixers needed and later resigned with the team ensuring that he would continue to fight with this squad.
NUMBER 5 - And Jimmy makes three
The Sixers were star hunting, and no one seemed to want to be hunted more than Jimmy Butler. Beyond dissatisfied with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Butler was thrilled to come to a team as hungry as the Sixers. This, unfortunately, came at the cost of long-time processors Robert Covington and Dario Saric. The trade was worth it though as the team soon became a powerhouse in the Eastern Conference.
It may not have ended pretty with Butler, but the journey was exciting and in the end, gave us Josh Richardson and Al Horford.
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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
