Trust The Process? 76ers hope so, have No. 1 pick again

PHILADELPHIA » If championship rings were awarded for No. 1 draft picks, Josh Harris’ fingers might look like Tom Brady’s.

The NBA and NHL team owner has two shots at one this weekend — first on Thursday night with the Philadelphia 76ers and then 24 hours later with the New Jersey Devils. Harris, the dual sport owner, and the 76ers already had the top pick in last year’s draft. And this year’s snag of No. 1 in a trade with Boston made them just the fourth team in NBA history to pick first in two straight drafts.

The Sixers have mastered the art of losing like few franchises in professional sports ever have over the last five years. Not even the Geno’s vs. Pat’s debate has split loyalties in Philly quite like the three words that have defined the organization since the implosion started: Trust The Process.

But suffering through the ilk of Alexy Sheved, Malcolm Thomas and Sonny Weems for the reward of Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and that top pick Thursday night just might be worth it.

Barring a trade, the 76ers are expected to take Washington guard Markelle Fultz with the No. 1 pick. Sixers fans are frothing at the idea that Simmons and Fultz could become the next great backcourt combination, feeding a healthy Embiid and forming a playoff core next season.

“We’re still in the growth process,” team president Bryan Colangelo said. “We like to call it a measured, organic pattern of growth.” Try slapping that slogan on a T-shirt. For some fans in the Process clique, the No. 1 pick has already made The Process a success ; worthy of the initiative that started with former general manager Sam Hinkie clearing the cupboard of talent and fat contracts for 10-win seasons and top picks down the road. The road ends Thursday in New York. With Embiid, Simmons and likely Fultz, the days of the 76ers serving as some sort of grandiose symbol of sacrifice are dead.

The trio isn’t here to lose.