What was the lowest point of the Philadelphia 76ers` 2024-25 season?
Was it when Joel Embiid, already injured, got suspended in November after a locker room incident with a reporter? Or when Paul George, aiming for the playoffs, had season-ending surgery in late February? Maybe it was in March, when the Sixers lost at home to the Washington Wizards, the worst team in the East, during a clear tanking effort.
These are just a few lowlights in a season full of them for Philadelphia. Now, Embiid needs knee surgery, a month after being ruled out for the season.
This wasn`t supposed to happen. After seven playoff trips and a summer that looked like it set them up for a championship run, the 76ers were expected to be contenders. They re-signed Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, brought in George as a major free agent signing, and added depth. Experts even gave them top grades for their offseason moves.
But while the Oklahoma City Thunder, who also got a top grade, are leading the West and on track for a record-breaking season, the 76ers are trying to lose games to protect a draft pick from going to Oklahoma City.
The only thing the Sixers are doing well is tanking. Since February 4th, they have the worst record in the NBA at 3-24, with a terrible net rating.
This season has been a complete failure. Let`s look at why it went so wrong, how it ranks historically, and what might be next for the 76ers.
Stars` Struggles Set the Tone
The season`s problems started with Embiid, the 2022-23 MVP. He only played 19 games this season and has missed almost half of the 76ers` games since being drafted. He`s only the second MVP in two decades to not be in the top 10 for MVP voting two years after winning.
Most MVPs stay top players for years after winning. But Embiid hasn`t, at least in terms of team success this season.
Even if he played more, Embiid likely wouldn`t have been considered for MVP this year. His scoring and efficiency dropped, and for the first time, the 76ers were worse when he was on the court. His net rating fell sharply compared to previous seasons.
For years, the 76ers won by dominating when Embiid played and just surviving when he didn`t. This season, they couldn`t even do the first part. Even when Embiid, George, and Maxey played together, their offense was very inefficient.
George, in the first year of a big contract, struggled with injuries and his performance. After scoring over 21 points per game for nine seasons, he dropped to 16 this year.
Despite being used less on offense, George`s shooting became much worse. He went from being a much better shooter than average to much worse. Some stats suggest he was even less valuable than Tobias Harris, the player he replaced in Philadelphia.
Maxey improved a lot from last year and scored a lot, but he also wasn`t as efficient. Playing a bigger role due to injuries to Embiid and George, his shooting percentage from three-point range decreased, and he had more turnovers. It seems he might be better as a second option, not the main star of a playoff team.
Injuries were a major issue from the start. The 76ers have lost more money to injured players than any other team this season. The New Orleans Pelicans, also high on the list, have also underperformed.
These injuries made it impossible for the 76ers to have any consistent player lineups. They used a record-breaking number of different starting lineups.
The Biggest Disappointment This Century?
The 76ers were expected to win about 50 games this season. They won`t even come close. They might not even win half that many.
Philadelphia is on pace to be one of the biggest underachieving teams in the 21st century. They are projected to fall short of expectations by a huge margin.
The most underachieving team was the 2007-08 Miami Heat, who lost Dwyane Wade to injury and traded Shaquille O`Neal, ending up with a terrible record.
Another example is the 2019-20 Golden State Warriors, who were hit hard by injuries after years of success. Kevin Durant left, Klay Thompson was injured all season, and Stephen Curry barely played.
But those Heat and Warriors teams weren`t expected to be as good as these 76ers. If we only look at teams expected to win 50 or more games, the 76ers might be the most disappointing, even more so than the Lakers who also missed the playoffs after high expectations.
The 76ers were supposed to be a top team this season but are now struggling to even avoid being one of the worst, all to keep their draft pick. Considering the preseason hype and how badly they failed, you could argue the 76ers are the most disappointing team of the 21st century.
What Happens After This?
But there might be hope. History suggests teams that disappoint this badly can bounce back quickly. It`s better to have talented players who create high expectations than to have no talent at all.
The Heat who collapsed in 2008 reached the Finals again just three years later. The injured Warriors won another championship two years after their bad season. The Lakers who struggled also made the Western Conference finals the season after.
Despite the 76ers` disastrous season, there are some positives. Rookie Jared McCain has played well and is leading all rookies in scoring. Quentin Grimes has also played very well since being traded to Philadelphia, putting up numbers similar to an All-Star.
Next season, with Maxey, McCain, and Grimes, the 76ers should have good scoring from the guard positions. George and Embiid could return healthy. They might also get a high draft pick. And their general manager is known for making good moves to improve the team.
It all depends on Embiid`s health. But the 76ers have a base to build on. It might seem shaky now, but a historically bad season doesn`t have to last forever.
