Trust The Process: The Philadelphia 76ers’ Radical Rebuild Strategy
#TrustTheProcess refers to the Philadelphia 76ers’ controversial rebuilding strategy (2013-2017) under GM Sam Hinkie, who deliberately tanked for years to accumulate draft picks and build a championship contender. The phrase became a cultural phenomenon beyond basketball.
Origins: Sam Hinkie’s Plan
2013 - Sam Hinkie hired as GM, implemented radical strategy:
- Deliberately lose games to get high draft picks
- Stockpile assets (future draft picks, cap space)
- Tank for 3-4 years to build sustainable contender
- “The Process” - Hinkie’s term for long-term vision over short-term wins
The Tank Years (2013-2017)
Record:
- 2013-14: 19-63
- 2014-15: 18-64 (worst in NBA)
- 2015-16: 10-72 (3rd-worst in NBA history)
- 2016-17: 28-54 (improvement began)
Draft Picks:
- 2014: Joel Embiid (#3), Dario Saric (#12)
- 2015: Jahlil Okafor (#3)
- 2016: Ben Simmons (#1)
- 2017: Markelle Fultz (#1) - bust
Joel Embiid: The Process Personified
Joel Embiid embraced the nickname “The Process” and popularized the phrase:
- Twitter bio: “The Process” (still there today)
- Missed first 2 seasons (foot injuries), debuted 2016
- Became superstar — multiple All-NBA, MVP (2023)
- “Trust the Process” became his catchphrase and rallying cry
Sam Hinkie’s Resignation
2016 - NBA owners (Jerry Colangelo installed above Hinkie) forced him out. His resignation letter became legendary:
- 13 pages, 7,000+ words
- Quoted Abraham Lincoln (“I walk slowly, but I never walk backward”)
- Defended The Process as analytically sound, morally correct
Cultural Impact Beyond Basketball
“Trust the Process” transcended basketball:
- Business startups — embrace short-term losses for long-term gains
- Personal development — patience with growth, delayed gratification
- Political campaigns — rebuild from ground up
- Motivational mantra — accept struggle as part of success
Did It Work?
Yes and No:
- Success: Embiid = MVP-level player, Sixers contenders 2018-present
- Failure: Haven’t won championship, Simmons/Fultz busts, multiple playoff exits
- Legacy: Proved tanking can build contenders, but execution matters (drafting, development, coaching)
The Ironies
- Sam Hinkie never saw success — forced out before The Process paid off
- Joel Embiid injuries — constantly hurt in playoffs, preventing championship
- Ben Simmons collapse — 2021 playoff disaster, refused to shoot, traded for James Harden
- Markelle Fultz — #1 pick (2017) forgot how to shoot, traded away
Fan Culture
Sixers fans adopted the mantra religiously:
- Shirts, signs, chants at games
- “TTP” abbreviation everywhere
- “Process Trusters” vs. critics online debates
- Embiid celebrations = “Trust the Process” gesture
Social Media Dominance
- 400M+ impressions since 2013
- #TrustTheProcess peaks during playoffs every year
- Cross-sport usage — NFL, MLB, startups, crypto, politics
- Memes when Sixers lose in playoffs (“The Process failed”)
Related Hashtags
- #TheProcess (original term)
- #Sixers / #HereTheyCome
- #JoelEmbiid