What was the lowest point for the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2024-25 season?
Was it when Joel Embiid, already injured, was suspended in November after a locker room incident with a reporter? Or perhaps when Paul George, after announcing a pause on his podcast to focus on the playoffs, ended his season with medical procedures just a week later? Maybe it was in March, when they were defeated at home by the Washington Wizards, the worst team in the Eastern Conference?
These are just a few lowlights in a season filled with disappointments for Philadelphia. Adding to their woes, Embiid now requires arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, a month after being ruled out for the rest of the season.
This was not the anticipated outcome for the 76ers. After seven consecutive playoff appearances and a summer that seemed to solidify their championship aspirations, they find themselves in a very different position. Philadelphia had extended contracts with Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, signed Paul George – a major free agency acquisition – and bolstered their roster depth. ESPN experts even gave them top grades for their offseason moves.
However, while the Oklahoma City Thunder, another highly-rated team, are leading the Western Conference and potentially breaking records, the 76ers appear to be trying to lose games. This strategy seems aimed at protecting their draft pick from going to Oklahoma City in the upcoming June draft.
Since February 4th, Philadelphia has the worst record in the NBA, with only 3 wins and 24 losses, and a significant negative point differential.
This poor performance has overshadowed any positives for the franchise this season. As this disastrous season nears its end, it`s time to examine the 76ers` significant disappointment: the reasons behind it, its historical context, and what the future holds.
Underperforming Stars Set the Tone
The 76ers` season of struggle begins with Joel Embiid, the NBA`s MVP from 2022-23. He only played in 19 games this season and has missed nearly half of the 76ers` games since being drafted. Embiid joins Derrick Rose as the only MVPs in the last two decades to fall out of the top 10 MVP voting just two years after winning the award.
In essence, most MVPs maintain their superstar status for at least a couple of years following their award. However, Embiid, based on this season’s results, has not.
Even if Embiid had played more games, he likely wouldn`t have been considered for MVP. His stats and efficiency declined – his scoring dropped, and his shooting accuracy decreased. Notably, for the first time in his career, the 76ers were outscored when Embiid was on the court. His net rating was negative this season, a stark contrast to his positive ratings in previous seasons.
Historically, the 76ers` winning formula was to dominate when Embiid played and stay competitive when he was off the court. This season, they couldn`t even achieve the first part. Even when Embiid, George, and Maxey played together, their offensive output was very low compared to the rest of the league.
George, in his first year of a major four-year contract, struggled with injuries and inconsistent play. After consistently scoring over 21 points per game for nine seasons, his scoring dropped significantly this season.
Despite being used less often in plays, his performance declined. His shooting accuracy dropped below the league average, a significant decrease from last season. Statistics suggest his impact was less than Tobias Harris, the player he essentially replaced in Philadelphia, who is now likely headed to the playoffs with the Detroit Pistons.
Maxey, while more productive than his All-Star teammates, also experienced a slight regression after being named Most Improved Player last year. With increased responsibility due to the absences of Embiid and George, Maxey`s scoring remained high, but his efficiency suffered. His 3-point shooting accuracy decreased, and his turnovers increased. It appears Maxey might be better suited as a supporting star rather than the primary leader of a playoff contender.
Beyond player performance, injuries significantly impacted the 76ers` season. They have lost more money due to injured players than any other team this season. The New Orleans Pelicans, second on this list, have also underperformed this season.
These absences disrupted the 76ers` ability to establish consistent player combinations. They have used a record-breaking number of different starting lineups this season.
Perhaps the Biggest Disappointment This Century?
The 76ers were projected to win over 50 games this season. However, they are far from reaching that goal and are unlikely to even win half that many.
Philadelphia is on pace to be among the biggest underachievers in the NBA in the 21st century. Depending on their final win total, they could be among the top three most disappointing teams relative to preseason expectations.
The Miami Heat team from 2007-08 holds the record for underachieving, largely due to injuries and roster changes. Another team on the list is the Golden State Warriors from 2019-20, who were also heavily impacted by injuries after years of dominance.
However, these previous teams weren`t expected to be as strong as this 76ers team. When considering only teams with high preseason win expectations, the 76ers might be the most disappointing team, even surpassing the 2021-22 Los Angeles Lakers who also missed the playoffs despite high expectations.
The 76ers were expected to be a top team this season, but now they are struggling to avoid being among the bottom teams in order to protect their draft pick. Given the high preseason expectations and their current failure to meet them, it`s reasonable to argue that the 76ers are the most disappointing team of the 21st century.
What Comes After Disappointment?
Despite the setbacks, there might be some positive signs for the future.
History suggests that teams that drastically underperform expectations often recover relatively quickly. This idea, known as the `Plexiglass Principle,` suggests that having talented players who create high expectations initially is better than having no stars at all.
The 2007-08 Heat, despite their poor season, returned to the NBA Finals within three years. The 2019-20 Warriors bounced back to win another championship a couple of years later. Even the disappointing 2021-22 Lakers reached the Western Conference Finals the following season.
For the 76ers, amidst the overall disappointment, there have been some developmental bright spots. Rookie guard Jared McCain has shown promise despite missing games due to injury. Quentin Grimes has also performed well since being traded to Philadelphia, showing potential similar to established All-Star players.
Looking ahead, with players like Maxey, McCain, and Grimes, the 76ers could have a strong group of perimeter scorers. George and Embiid could return healthier. A high draft pick could further strengthen the team. And the team`s management is known for making strategic moves to improve the roster.
However, much depends on Embiid`s health and recovery. But the 76ers do have a foundation to build upon. While the current situation may seem less stable than in previous years, a historically disappointing season doesn`t necessarily mean long-term failure.
