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NBA Draft Lottery 2016: Why 76ers don’t deserve to win No. 1 pick

By John Buhler

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 21: Sonny Weems #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Indiana Pacers during a game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 21, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers defeated the 76ers 91-75. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 21: Sonny Weems #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Indiana Pacers during a game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 21, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers defeated the 76ers 91-75. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Oct 30, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (left) and center Jahlil Okafor (right) watch from the bench during the final minutes of a game against the Utah Jazz at Wells Fargo Center. The Utah Jazz won 99-71. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (left) and center Jahlil Okafor (right) watch from the bench during the final minutes of a game against the Utah Jazz at Wells Fargo Center. The Utah Jazz won 99-71. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Haven’t exactly nailed previous first round picks.

During The Process, Philadelphia went to extremes to position themselves for great opportunities in NBA Drafts. While not getting a No. 1 overall pick to date is out of their control, the 76ers haven’t exactly nailed any of their first round picks during The Process era.

In 2013, Philadelphia landed Nerlens Noel out of Kentucky and Michael Carter-Williams out of Syracuse in the first round. Noel didn’t play at all in 2013-14 thanks to a torn ACL he suffered in college. He’s a good defensive player, but probably not a franchise caliber player. Carter-Williams won Rookie of the Year, but was then traded to the Milwaukee Bucks and is now rapidly decaying as a productive NBA player because he can’t shoot.

In 2014, Philadelphia drafted Joel Embiid from Kansas and Dario Saric from Croatia. Neither have played for the 76ers. Embiid may never play in the NBA because of his rampant injuries. Saric plans to come to the United States in the 2016-17, so we’ll just have to wait and see on him.

Last season, Philadelphia used the No. 3 overall pick on Okafor out of Duke instead of drafting Kristaps Porzingis out of Latvia. Porzingis had an All-Rookie caliber season with the New York Knicks and seems like a crucial franchise piece for the Knicks going forward. Okafor’s rookie year was largely a disappointment.

Is it more that the 76ers haven’t found the right player for them yet or are they incapable of picking the right player in the draft? The pressure was on these drafts during The Process, but one cannot say that Philadelphia owned any draft in the last three years. Who’s to say that 2016 would be any different even if they had the No. 1 overall pick? They’d probably draft the next Anthony Bennett.

Next: 1. Hyper-tanking should not be rewarded.

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