You’re probably tired of hearing it (and believe me, writing it feels just as exhausting), but there’s no better way to describe the 2024-25 Philadelphia 76ers than as massive disappointments. Lofty expectations heading into the season quickly crumbled, leaving the team likely second-guessing many of its offseason decisions.
Following another first-round playoff exit last season, the front office, led by Daryl Morey, saw an opportunity to revamp the roster with their significant cap space. To their credit, they didn’t hold back during free agency, assembling a roster that looked incredibly talented—on paper.
Unfortunately, the team has proven to be little more than a paper tiger. The roster construction is flawed, with the whole being far less than the sum of its parts. Opponents have exposed these weaknesses, and the 76ers have struggled to find opportunities to counteract them.
The Big Three’s Lack of Availability Has Been a Major Issue
The trio of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George seemed like a perfect combination of complementary skills—a group capable of contending for a championship. That optimism was shared by analysts, who labeled the team as a potential Finals contender before the season began.
However, the reality has been starkly different. Getting all three stars on the court together has been a monumental challenge. They’ve played just 10 games as a unit this season, totaling less than 200 minutes together. While it’s a small sample size, the chances of seeing a larger one are slim.
Embiid, now over 30, is becoming increasingly injury-prone, and the 76ers still see him as the team’s cornerstone. Maxey, the youngest of the group, has also missed significant time due to injuries. And Paul George, whose decline has been evident, has been inconsistent at best.
The theoretical dominance of the 76ers’ Big Three remains just that—theoretical. It’s becoming clear that the vision for this group is unlikely to materialize, and that’s the unfortunate reality for the organization and its fans.
A Gamble That Didn’t Pay Off
In hindsight, the 76ers probably should have seen this coming. However, it’s unfair to blame them entirely. Constructing this roster was always a calculated risk, and at the time, it seemed like a smart one.
But sometimes, things simply don’t go as planned. Whether through bad luck or unforeseen challenges, the 76ers ended up on the wrong side of this gamble. While their ambition was admirable, the results have left much to be desired—and the team’s future is now more uncertain than ever.
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