What marked the lowest point of the Philadelphia 76ers` 2024-25 season?
Was it the suspension of Joel Embiid, while already injured, for a locker room incident with a reporter in November? Or perhaps when Paul George, after announcing a pause on his podcast to focus on the playoffs, was sidelined for the rest of the season due to medical procedures just a week later? Or maybe it was the home loss to the Washington Wizards, the worst team in the Eastern Conference, in March?
These are just a few lowlights in a season filled with them for Philadelphia, culminating in Embiid requiring arthroscopic knee surgery next week – a month after his season was already declared over.
This was not the expected outcome for the 76ers this April. After seven consecutive playoff appearances and an offseason that boosted championship aspirations, Philadelphia extended contracts for Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, signed Paul George – a major free agency acquisition – and strengthened their roster depth. ESPN experts even gave the 76ers high marks for their offseason moves.
However, while the Oklahoma City Thunder, who also received high offseason grades, are excelling as the Western Conference`s top seed, the 76ers appear to be intentionally losing games, possibly to protect their draft pick from going to Oklahoma City.
Since February 4th, Philadelphia has the worst NBA record at 3-24, with a significant negative point differential.
This poor performance is virtually the only notable aspect of their season. As this disastrous season nears its end, it`s worth examining the causes of the 76ers` massive disappointment, its historical context, and what the future holds.
Disappointing Performances from Key Players
The 76ers` struggles begin with Joel Embiid, the 2022-23 MVP, who played only 19 games this season and has missed nearly half of the team`s games since being drafted. Embiid is a rare example of an MVP who quickly fell out of the top MVP conversations in subsequent seasons.
Unlike most MVPs who maintain superstar status for years after winning the award, Embiid`s on-court impact significantly declined this season.
Even if he had played more games, Embiid likely wouldn`t have been an MVP contender. His scoring and efficiency decreased, and for the first time in his career, the 76ers were outscored when he was on the court. His net rating dropped significantly compared to previous seasons.
Historically, the 76ers` strategy was to dominate when Embiid played and stay competitive when he rested. This season, they failed to achieve the first part of that equation. Even when Embiid, George, and Maxey played together, their offensive output was surprisingly low, ranking poorly compared to the rest of the league.
Paul George, in his first year of a maximum contract, struggled with injuries and inconsistent performance. His scoring average declined significantly from previous seasons, and his shooting accuracy dropped below the league average. Advanced statistics suggest his overall contribution was less impactful than expected.
Tyrese Maxey, despite increased productivity, also showed signs of regression. While scoring more due to the absences of Embiid and George, his efficiency suffered. His three-point shooting percentage decreased, and turnovers increased. It appears Maxey may be better suited as a supporting star rather than the primary leader of a contending team.
Adding to these issues, injuries significantly hampered the 76ers throughout the season. They have lost more player salary to injuries than any other NBA team, disrupting team chemistry and rotation consistency. This led to a record-breaking number of starting lineups used by the team.
One of the Biggest Disappointments in NBA History?
The 76ers were projected to win over 50 games this season, a target they are nowhere near reaching. They are on pace to be one of the most underperforming teams relative to preseason expectations in recent NBA history.
If their current trajectory continues, the 76ers could rank among the top three most disappointing teams of the 21st century in terms of wins relative to preseason projections.
The most significant underachiever in this century is the 2007-08 Miami Heat, who suffered from key injuries and roster changes, resulting in a dismal season. Another example is the injury-plagued 2019-20 Golden State Warriors, following their dynasty era.
However, unlike those teams which were expected to decline, the 76ers entered the season with high expectations. When considering only teams with high preseason win projections, the 76ers arguably become the most disappointing team of the 21st century, even surpassing the underperforming 2021-22 Los Angeles Lakers.
Projected to be a top-six team, the 76ers are now struggling to avoid a bottom-six finish, highlighting the magnitude of their collapse and the potential loss of a valuable draft pick.
Future Prospects After a Season of Setbacks
Despite the current gloom, there might be reasons for optimism. History suggests that teams experiencing such dramatic underperformance often bounce back quickly. This idea, known as the `Plexiglass Principle,` indicates that teams with high expectations, even when unmet, have underlying strengths to rebuild upon.
Past examples include the 2007-08 Heat who returned to the NBA Finals within a few years and the 2019-20 Warriors who quickly won another championship. Even the 2021-22 Lakers, despite their struggles, reached the Western Conference Finals the following season.
For the 76ers, some positive developments emerged amidst the overall disaster. Rookie guard Jared McCain showed promise despite an injury-shortened season, leading all rookies in scoring. Quentin Grimes also significantly improved after joining Philadelphia, showing potential as a key contributor.
Looking ahead, the 76ers could have a strong core of perimeter players with Maxey, McCain, and Grimes. The potential return to health of George and Embiid, combined with a possible high draft pick and strategic moves by the front office, offers a path to recovery.
However, much depends on Embiid`s health and ability to return to his MVP form. Despite the current setbacks, the 76ers possess a foundation for future success. While this season is a historic disappointment, it doesn`t necessarily define their long-term trajectory.
