The Sixer Sense
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The Sixers’ and Celtics’ rebuilds were the same, and this summer is huge

By Dan Volpone

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 7: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers gets into an altercation with Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics as Jayson Tatum #0 and Marcus Morris #13 of the Boston Celtics and Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers try to break them up in the second quarter during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 7, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 7: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers gets into an altercation with Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics as Jayson Tatum #0 and Marcus Morris #13 of the Boston Celtics and Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers try to break them up in the second quarter during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 7, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics rebuilt their teams nearly the same way, and the Celtics show why this offseason is so important for the Sixers

The Philadelphia 76ers-Boston Celtics playoff series has been a history lesson. It’s gifted us with fun SportsCenter segments on statistics of the rivalry and nostalgic TNT montages of Dr. J throwing hands at Larry Bird’s deserving face. It’s also brought back memories of 2012, the most recent of many playoff matchups between the teams.

After that series, the two teams seemingly split. This is the Sixers’ first trip back to the playoffs, while Boston has missed the playoffs just once. But a closer look shows a nearly identical team-building strategy, with Philly on the same path as its nemesis up north.

Same rebuild, different narrative

A good portion of the media loved to bash on Sam Hinkie and the Sixers’ rebuild: it was a Ponzi Scheme, it was an embarrassment to basketball, and it was never going to work. At the same time, Danny Ainge and the Celtics were praised for how quickly they were able to turn their team around after breaking up their 2008 championship core. But anyone taking these stances is ignoring the actual substance of the rebuilds.

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Both teams decided to tear it down at the beginning of the 2013 offseason. On July 12, 2013, the Sixers officially moved Jrue Holiday to New Orleans for Nerlens Noel and a future first. That same day, Boston robbed Billy King’s Nets blind, swapping post-prime Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce for a hoard of first rounders. Brett Brown and Brad Stevens were hired to head up the new rosters.

Since that summer, both teams have stockpiled assets and drafted high in the lottery. Both have maintained cap space. And both have had rosters full of temporary players. The difference in narrative exists because Boston’s temporary players were good enough to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals, while the Sixers’ were mostly second round picks and 10-day contracts.

But the strategy was the same. Isaiah Thomas was on the Celtics for just 2.5 years. Sure, he was an All-Star for a season, but he was just as much a part of the team’s vision for the future as Michael Carter-Williams was to the Sixers: an asset with trade value, not a major piece of the puzzle.

Must Read: 2018 NBA Mock Draft 6.0

Cashing in this offseason

After years of accumulating assets and saving cap room, the Celtics made their move last summer. They signed Gordon Hayward away from the Jazz in free agency, and they dealt Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and the final Brooklyn pick to Cleveland for a disgruntled Kyrie Irving. Boston returned just four players from last year’s number one seeded team.

This could work as a template for the Sixers’ offseason. They have the cap space to court a top free agent like LeBron James or Paul George. They have the assets to put in a bid for Kawhi Leonard, who doesn’t seem too happy in San Antonio. And they have the youth and depth to maintain a quality bench and a future-focused core, even after a trade.

There’s been a lot of people saying the Sixers don’t need to make a move since they have two budding superstars in Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. But even the 73-win Warriors didn’t balk at the opportunity to add another elite talent, and the Sixers shouldn’t stop trying to get better. They should do everything they can to be better than Boston.

Next: 3 reasons the Sixers can still make this a series

The Philadelphia 76ers could look a lot different next year, and last summer’s Celtics may be a clue as to how a busy Sixers offseason will shake out.