In a city where boos can be as loud as cheers, patience has never been part of the Philadelphia sports identity. Fans have worn skepticism like a badge of honor.
When it comes to the 76ers, “Trust the Process” once felt like both a rallying cry and a test of endurance — years of losing that demanded faith without proof. Now, after a bruising 2024–25 NBA season, Sixers fans are being asked to trust again. But this time, it’s not about blind faith, it’s about cautious optimism.
The Philadelphia 76ers’ 24-58 record last year told the story of a team gutted by injury. Joel Embiid’s season ended after just 19 games and another knee surgery. Tyrese Maxey carried the load but saw his efficiency dip. Paul George’s debut year in Philly never fully got off the ground.
The season’s silver lining came from unexpected places: the breakout of Quentin Grimes, the emergence of young talent, and the spark of hope in high draft pick V.J. Edgecombe.
Now, as the 2025–26 season tips off, the vibe around the 76ers is shifting. The same fans who once lived by “The Process” are beginning to rediscover what patience can look like.
A New Kind of 76ers Core
The Sixers’ trio of Embiid, Maxey, and George brings together three very different stages of basketball life.
Embiid, the reigning MVP-turned-cautionary-tale for load management, has recommitted to longevity; the team hopes he can hit the 60-game mark this year. Maxey, coming off his first All-Star-level season, remains the emotional engine of the franchise: the joy, the energy, the promise. George, now healthy and working towards a return, brings veteran composure and the kind of spacing the Sixers have lacked for years.
And then there’s Edgecombe: the No. 3 overall pick, a 19-year-old guard from Baylor. He’s got a defensive edge that feels tailor-made for Philly’s blue-collar identity.
Even with second-year player Jared McCain sidelined early, Edgecombe represents the kind of youth movement fans can rally behind: effort, intensity, and flashes of brilliance that don’t require perfection to inspire hope. In his debut game against the Boston Celtics, Edgecombe scored 34 points and grabbed 7 rebounds, playing 42 minutes.
A Fanbase Growing Up
For years, the psychology of being a 76ers fan has been defined by impatience, by heartbreaks and “what ifs.” The Process era bred a fan culture that swayed between data-driven belief and emotional exhaustion. The idea was always that the suffering would pay off in rings. But nearly a decade later, the reality is murkier.
This season, something quieter is happening. Fans aren’t expecting instant gratification; they’re looking for connection again.
Social media buzz mirrors that sentiment. Instead of trade-machine fantasies or calls to blow it up, fans are celebrating hustle plays, rookie defense, and Embiid smiling through preseason press conferences. The culture around the team feels less desperate.
The Return of Belief
It helps that Philly’s roster finally feels balanced. ESPN’s Basketball Power Index projects the Sixers as one of the top seeds in the East with a high chance to make the playoffs.
Through the preseason, they’re holding strong near the top of the Atlantic Division. The energy in Wells Fargo Center is starting to mirror the optimism of 2018; not the blind faith of the Process years, but a hope grounded in reality.
Still, this is Philadelphia. Belief always comes with a disclaimer because of variables such as injuries and how new players will mesh together. And yet, for a fanbase long fueled by frustration, the act of relearning patience might be the most Philly thing of all.
Because in this city, patience isn’t passive. It’s grit with a deep breath. It’s cheering through growing pains. And as the 76ers take the court this season, that’s exactly what fans are doing: believing in a people. With a strong 5-1 start, fans are hoping the 76ers can keep this momentum going.
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