Eh, I get the Sixers plan, but it has to have been pretty dreadful recently to be a fan...and I don't think it's over, yet. I know in the NBA, it's all about championships and it's likely the Sixers will likely one day win another (not necessarily with this current group), but the Delaware 87ers have probably been a more fun team to watch than their parent club.
What I am saying is, they better win a championship in the next 10 or so years or this whole enormous tanking effort will have been a complete waste. Just eventually being competitive won't be enough, as the product they have put on the floor has been so putrid that only a championship will suffice.
Embiid does look great, though - so good for him.
As a Sixers fan...
The process has been fun in my opinion. There was no end in sight to 38 win seasons for the Sixers since Iverson left. Heck, even before Iverson left his last 2 or so years were clearly leading nowhere. The 10-12 game .500 run the team went on in late 2015 when Noel established himself as an unreal defender(who we are about to lose for peanuts sadface) was the most fun I've had since the Iverson years. Even the Playoffs where we beat the Bulls were fools gold and everyone knew it.
The worst case scenario is we get cult rebuild heroes on the fringes, a few top prospects who only turn into ok players, and end up back where we started. But in the moment you get to watch guys with potential to be legit future studs, rather than hoping Billy King hits on the 13th pick of the draft.
I'm not saying that they're in a bad position. I just wouldn't go crazy calling what they have done a success. They have yet to produce a player that has shown the ability to be a two way NBA player. They have tons of potential. So did the Detroit Lions a couple of years ago. It doesn't mean anything until they start playing with each other. Until then, no one is sure if these guys complement one another, stay healthy (Embiid), shoot (Simmons), score (Noel), or play D (Okafor). Both Noel and Okafor have shown flashes, yet I'm not sold on either. Embiid and Simmons appear to be their best assets. I would love to have either, but hey aren't bonafide studs yet.
I feel the same way about the 76ers prospects as I do about Marcus Smart/Jaylen Brown/Terry Rozier. All have shown flashes, yet none have proven that they are good enough to start on a championship team. Until then, let's hold off on calling them future superstars. There are too many Kwame Browns and Harold Miners to call what the 76ers have done a success.
To the contrary, I would call what the Celtics have done a success. While they don't have the same # of prospects as the 76ers do, they have consistently added wins while acquiring both veteran and young talent. I think JB and Smart can be starters on a championship team. They are very far away from this. Luckily, we have two all stars to remain competitive in the meantime.
There are so many things that can change in 5 years that I think its crazy to plan for the "post Golden State" era. I really hope GM's aren't planning on potential NBA legends in James, KD, and Curry to retire. That's like being a NFL team and planning on Brady/Belichick to retire.