Divergent Process: The Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 24: JJ Redick #17 and Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrate during the game against the Miami Heat in game five of round one of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) /

The Philadelphia 76ers staged one of the most significant rebuilds in recent history :”The Process.” Is there anything for the Orlando Magic to learn?

The Philadelphia 76ers made the playoffs this year. Not only did the Sixers make it to the postseason, but as a No. 3 seed no less. After defeating the Miami Heat, in five games in round one, the Sixers are emerging as a fan favorite to contend in the Eastern Conference.

A big accomplishment for the long rebuilding team. That means their rebuild was a success, right? That means they have a process every team should follow, right?

Through a several-year span of disparaging records, injuries and general disdain from the league executives, Philadelphia has now finally reaped the benefits from years of losing throughout the last six years. With budding stars Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Dario Saric and Markelle Fultz (just to name a few), it is perceivable the Sixers may be good for a long time.

The Orlando Magic’s most recent rebuild dates back to around the same time when the team traded Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2012.

The timeline of the last six years and various milestones in the two franchises’ rebuilds are unique in their own ways. But there are a decent number of parallels between the teams most recent tanks.

So why did the Sixers eventually end up okay, and the Magic find themselves starting over?

Now with head coach Frank Vogel out the door, we look at what went right, what went wrong, and investigate if Orlando can use Philadelphia’s last few years as a template for the future.