2016 NBA Draft: Four Takeaways from Brooklyn

Ben Simmons to the Sixers

“Trust the Process”: It’s one of those catchphrases that will never, ever go away. What were supposed to be a few words in a press conference explaining the big plan, became a little caveat that eventually ended up defining an era.

But, while Sam Hinkie and all of his new hair brained schemes are for him and him alone now, his words will forever — joyfully– ring in the heads of the Philadelphia Phaithful…

… because the process, in the end, worked.

The Sixers just got their “once in a lifetime” talent with the first pick in the 2016 NBA Draft in Ben Simmons.

Sure, there’s things he can work on (cough, shooting from every area on the court that’s covered in wood, cough), but as far as his all around talent goes, there was/is nobody else like him in this draft.

He can handle the rock like a point guard, ignite the break and fling one handed pinpoint passes like LeBron James. He’s an absolute freak on the boards. And he can gut his way to the rim — using both his quickness and his strength — while making it look like the easiest thing he’s ever done.

When Simmons walks onto the court for his first game, he will immediately be a match up nightmare. There aren’t many more rookies you can say that about.

So, after the Tank-a-palooza that has taken place the last couple of years, can we all kind of admit that the process was kind of worth it? Sure, the Sixers lost some games. And yes, they have more big men than an NBA Street squad.

But! But, they also have Ben Simmons. And nobody else does.

Now somebody go take this kid to Tony Luke’s Cheesesteaks:

Next: Jaylen Brown to Boston