The Process Tanking Strategy
A deliberate descent into losing to forge a championship dynasty from the ashes.
The Process is a notorious front-office strategy employed by the Philadelphia 76ers, characterized by an intentional period of losing games to accumulate high-value draft picks and trade assets. Orchestrated primarily during the mid-2010s under general manager Sam Hinkie, this approach aimed to rebuild the franchise from the ground up by securing elite young talent through the NBA Draft rather than making immediate trades for veteran players.
- Key Figure
- Sam Hinkie (General Manager)
- Primary Goal
- Accumulate draft capital and young talent
- Notable Acquisitions
- Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons
- Status
- Concluded as a rebuilding phase
- Legacy
- Cultural phenomenon in NBA history
Lore & Background
The execution of this plan involved trading away established veterans and expiring contracts to move up in draft lotteries, resulting in the selection of generational talents like Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. While the strategy sparked intense debate across the basketball world regarding competitive integrity, it ultimately transformed a struggling team into one of the league's most formidable forces once the core players reached their prime.
In Their Own Story
The arena lights felt dimmer than usual as the final buzzer sounded on another loss, a scheduled defeat in a season defined by its own futility. In the front office, the mood was not one of despair but of cold calculation; every missed shot and turnover was simply data points leading toward a future lottery pick. The fans in the stands were divided, some booing the lack of effort while others chanted for the 'Process,' understanding that today's sacrifice was the price of tomorrow's glory.
Reader's Guide
The arc begins with a shift in organizational philosophy under new leadership, rejecting immediate contention for long-term asset accumulation. This phase involves trading away veteran stars and accumulating draft picks, often resulting in historically poor win-loss records. The strategy hinges on selecting high-potential rookies who are then developed over several seasons. As the core of young talent matures, the team transitions from a lottery-bound squad to a competitive playoff contender. The initial criticism regarding the morality of tanking fades as the acquired players begin to dominate their positions. Ultimately, the period concludes with the franchise re-entering the championship conversation, validating the patience required during the darkest years of the rebuild.
Did You Know?
- The term 'The Process' became a global pop-culture phenomenon, extending far beyond basketball into memes and internet slang.
- While fans often speculated about 'tanking' tactics, NBA rules clarify that draft odds depend solely on win-loss records, not the size of the deficit.
- Sam Hinkie's tenure is often cited as one of the most controversial yet transformative periods in modern NBA front-office history.