Divergent Process: The Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic

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Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers, Brett Brown

PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 8: Head coach Brett Brown of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to Nerlens Noel #4 during a timeout in the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at the Wells Fargo Center on February 8, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Spurs defeated the 76ers 111-103. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

The Initial Fallout

The Philadelphia 76ers made it to the second round of the 2012 Playoffs, losing to the Boston Celtics in seven games. Before that, Philadelphia had made it to the postseason every year since the 2007 season besides the 2010 season when they went 27-55. Comparatively, the Magic had made it into the postseason every year since 2006.

The Magic and 76ers were riding high back then. Then came the infamous four-team Dwight Howard trade that involved both the Magic and the Sixers. Both teams were ready for a change.

Infamous tank expert Sam Hinkie became the Sixers’ general manager, hiring Brett Brown as head coach.

As for the Magic? You will remember this was the end of the Stan Van Gundy era, moving onto head coach Jacque Vaughn and general manager Rob Hennigan.

The Magic started from ground zero and began moving their remaining veterans for young players like Tobias Harris. The team struggled, but they were building up assets. And they had draft picks were coming. The Sixers were in a similar place.

Both teams were starting from scratch, but how they went about developing and building their young assets would prove to be where the two teams diverged.

Philadelphia had patience with these young players they wanted. The 76ers drafted Joel Embiid and traded for Dario Saric on draft day in 2014. It was soon discovered Embiid would miss the first year due to a broken bone in his foot. Later, there was a setback in his recovery, he subsequently missed the 2016 season as well.

As for Saric? He had just signed a contract with Anadolu Efes in the Turkish League, and would not join the 76ers for two years.

Philadelphia was willing to wait on the talent they wanted, gambling that higher draft odds would continue to add to their cache.

It all worked out when they won the 2016 Lottery and the right to take Ben Simmons.

Of course, Simmons injured his ankle and missed his entire rookie year. He really was the turning point for Philadelphia though, even garnering some LeBron James-like attention here and there coming from the LSU Tigers.

All that patience paid off with Embiid too. After two years of injury, he hit the floor and made an immediate impact defensively. Playing a fully healthy season this year, he became a NBA All-Star.

Now, they are leading the Sixers in the playoffs into the second round.