It wasn't always pretty, but The Process worked for the Philadelphia 76ers, as they are one of the best teams in the NBA now and were able to get two franchise cornerstones in the draft in Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Sixers guard TJ McConnell understands that people around the league didn't like the way the organization was rebuilding, but admits Philly fans stuck with the team and are now reaping the benefits of being patient.

From 2013-16, the Sixers were the laughingstock of the league. They didn't reach 20 wins during that stretch and won just 10 games during the 2015-16 season. Sam Hinkie was viewed in a negative light around the NBA for the way he was running the Sixers.

Fast forward to today, though, and Hinkie is a hero to Sixers fans. All that losing was apparently worth it since it netted Philly Embiid and Simmons.

McConnell says Sixers head coach Brett Brown deserves a lot of credit as well and says the Brooklyn Nets — who are ahead in their rebuild — have a bright future.

“I don’t think anyone really liked it obviously,” McConnell said of Philadelphia’s rebuilding model, via Michael Scotto of The Athletic. “Media members didn’t like it, and there were fans that were frustrated with it, but our fans stuck with it. I think a big thing when you’re doing a rebuild like that is culture and who leads that culture.

“Brett (Brown) did a tremendous job building a culture here essentially from the ground up, and I think Kenny (Atkinson) did the same thing with the Nets and he’s done a tremendous job with them. They’re a great team and as are we. I think it starts with both Brett and Kenny.”

The Sixers are up 3-1 against the Nets in the first round, but Brooklyn's rebuild is way ahead of schedule and they will be a force in the East very soon.