Are the Philadelphia 76ers...cursed?

Trust the Process. A saying that once in Philadelphia portrayed hope and optimism for the Philadelphia 76ers, but has now turned into a phrase that makes people's eyes roll. But how did we get to this point? And how might the Sixers be cursed because of this popular saying?

After the Sixers lost in the semi-final round of the playoffs in the 2011-2012 season, marking the fourth year the team had not made it past the second round in five years, there was a consensus around the organization that changes needed to be made. That was when one of the craziest trades in NBA history occurred. It was a four-team trade in which the Sixers gave up former star Andre Iguodala and acquired, at the time, star center Andrew Bynum to usher in a new era for the franchise. However, despite the hype surrounding the trade, Andrew Bynum never played a single minute for the Sixers due to ongoing knee problems. This debacle ultimately triggered "The Process."

After a disappointing 2012-2013 season, the Sixers traded away Jrue Holiday to the New Orleans Pelicans for the sixth pick in the draft, which ended up being Nerlens Noel. Noel missed his entire rookie season due to a torn ACL sustained during his lone year in college. The Sixers also picked up what at the time seemed like a steal of the draft, Michael Carter-Williams. MCW went on to win Rookie of the Year and appeared to be the franchise’s point guard of the future. However, the team managed to win just 19 games that season, as Noel sat out the entire year while rehabbing his injury.

In the 2014 NBA Draft, the Sixers selected Joel Embiid with the third overall pick. Embiid, a super raw prospect with enormous potential, suffered a foot injury just a week before the draft and missed his entire rookie season. While rehabbing his foot injury, Embiid broke a bone in his knee, which sidelined him for yet another season.

Between 2014 and 2016, the Sixers continued to draft big men with injury histories, such as Jahlil Okafor and Ben Simmons. During this period, the team hit rock bottom, winning just 10 games in the 2015-2016 season—the third-worst record in NBA history. Joel Embiid finally made his debut at the start of the 2016-2017 season and immediately demonstrated his star potential. Unfortunately, he was limited to just 31 games due to another knee injury, and Okafor played only 51 games that season due to a meniscus tear. The Sixers finished with just 28 wins.

From 2017 to the present, Joel Embiid has been the consistent bright spot for the Sixers amidst a tumultuous period. Alongside Embiid, Tyrese Maxey has emerged as a fan favorite with his stellar play and engaging personality. Despite these positives, the Sixers have yet to break through the second round of the playoffs. The franchise’s playoff heartbreaks have included untimely Embiid injuries, Kawhi Leonard’s infamous buzzer-beater, Ben Simmons’ decision to pass up a wide-open layup, and other crushing moments.

Most recently, incoming rookie Jared McCain suffered a devastating injury to his meniscus, and Joel Embiid fractured his sinus on the same day. These events have led many Sixers fans to wonder: Are we cursed?

As the saying “Trust the Process” continues to echo through the years, it seems to have shifted from a rallying cry of hope to a reminder of misfortune. Whether the Sixers’ missteps and injuries are a result of bad luck or something more ominous, fans can only hope that brighter days lie ahead for a franchise still searching for redemption.