In this week’s edition of “Robot Story of the Week,” we asked artificial intelligence to write us a story about a diehard Sixers fan who is starting to waver, exasperated by Joel Embiid’s perpetual injury and lack of playoff success. He’s starting to lose faith, and doesn’t know what the team should do next. What we got in return was a Pulitzer Prize candidate:

Andrew slumped back into his worn-out recliner, letting out a long, frustrated sigh. The Philadelphia 76ers had just wrapped up another season that ended in disappointment. It was the same old story—so much promise, only to be dashed in the postseason. As he stared at the flickering TV screen, his mind wandered back to the highs and lows of his fandom.

Andrew was a die-hard Sixers fan, but he wasn’t old enough to remember the bleak post-Allen Iverson era. He had heard stories about Eddie Jordan’s disastrous coaching stint and the forgettable days of Jason Kapono and practicing at PCOM, but they were just tales of woe from older fans. What he did remember vividly was The Process—those painful years of tanking and accumulating draft picks. He had lived through that with a mixture of hope and skepticism, clinging to the belief that it would all be worth it someday.

In Joel Embiid, Andrew had found a beacon of hope. Embiid was everything he had dreamed of in a franchise player: dominant, charismatic, and a true force on both ends of the court. But with every playoff exit, Andrew’s faith wavered a bit more. Embiid’s health was a constant concern, and every time he went down clutching his knee or limping off the court, Andrew’s heart sank. Could the Sixers ever win it all if their star player couldn’t stay healthy when it mattered most?

To make matters worse, Daryl Morey, the team’s president of basketball operations, seemed more interested in stirring up drama on social media than making decisive moves to improve the roster. Andrew couldn’t count the number of times he had scrolled through Twitter, only to see Morey’s cryptic tweets or retweets of fan memes. It was infuriating. “Get off Twitter and do your job!” he would often yell at his phone, much to the amusement of his friends.

As the offseason approached, Andrew found himself caught in a whirlwind of speculation and rumors. Should the Sixers go after Paul George? The idea was tantalizing, but George’s own injury history made Andrew wary. Maybe they should try to bring Jimmy Butler back—he had loved Butler’s grit and leadership during his brief stint in Philadelphia. But that ship seemed to have sailed.

Then there was the wild notion of drafting Bronny James to lure LeBron to the Sixers. Andrew chuckled at the thought. It sounded like something out of a fantasy novel, and while the idea of having LeBron in Philadelphia was exhilarating, it felt like chasing a pipe dream.

Building around Embiid and Tyrese Maxey seemed like the most sensible option. Maxey had shown incredible growth and potential, and he played with a fire that Andrew admired. But would it be enough? Could they find the right pieces to complement their star duo and finally break through in the playoffs?

Andrew’s phone buzzed with a notification. It was a tweet from Morey, something about “trusting the process” and a cryptic emoji. Andrew rolled his eyes and tossed the phone onto the couch. “Great, just what we needed,” he muttered.

He stood up and walked to the window, looking out over the bustling streets of Philadelphia. Despite his frustrations, his love for the Sixers remained unwavering. This city, with its passionate and sometimes exasperated fans, was home. And no matter how many heartbreaks or setbacks came their way, he would continue to cheer for his team, hoping that one day, they would finally bring home a championship.

With a determined sigh, Andrew turned away from the window and headed back to his recliner. The offseason was just beginning, and there was plenty of time for more rumors, debates, and maybe even some moves that would restore his faith. For now, all he could do was wait, hope, and, as always, trust the process.

Go Sixers! Trust the Process!