The Philadelphia 76ers Are Officially Not the Worst Team in NBA
Last night’s victory against the Brooklyn Nets, secured more than the Sixers sixth victory of the season. The victory assured that the Sixers were not the worst team in the NBA — albeit by record. At 6-29, Philadelphia now has a higher winning percentage than the New York Knicks — five wins, .128 winning percentage — and the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conferece — five wins, .143 winning percentage. The Knicks (34) and T-Wolves (30) are members of the 30-loss club in January, while the 76ers sit at a pretty 29 losses.
Of course, it may seem comical to discuss that the 76ers are no longer the worst team in the NBA, but this squad has taken a brutal beating from national talking heads. Who could forget that time Deadspin called Robert Covington a patsy? I refuse to link to the article, because I’m not giving Deadspin more views, in case you were wondering.
Robert Covington, the patsy, has scored 20+ in 4 of last 5 games.
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) December 14, 2014
Not to mention, the Knicks and Wolves are currently riding some abysmal losing streaks, each at 14 games a piece. Of course, the Sixers started the season at an 0-17 mark, so that feeling is familiar, but that isn’t the point. All this talk about tanking with the 76ers and how much of a disgrace the team is, but they aren’t even the worst team in the NBA. Comical.
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To continue, most remember the time the Sixers won two in-a-row against the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat on Dec. 21 and Dec. 23. Last night’s victory against the Nets gave the Sixers two wins this week (Monday vs. Cleveland), only the second time that has happened all season. It’s not like the Sixers are going out and beating the worst teams in the NBA either. Having victories against the Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers, even shorthanded, is a hell of a thing for such a young team.
This is not to poke fun at the Knicks and T-Wolves — well maybe the Knicks — but in fact to point out that the 76ers aren’t the train wreck the national media is making them out to be. In a season hinged on development, the progress is clear. The Sixers have found a three-point shooting god in Robert Covington, Nerlens Noel and K.J. McDaniels eat shots for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus Tony Wroten might actually be something of value. That’s just the short list of players that have contributed in a big way, but everyone has done their part. With 10-day contract being able to be signed, who knows what 76ers GM Sam Hinkie will find in the D-League.
The 2014-15 Philadelphia Sixers are not the 2013-14 Sixers that were maligned by the likes of Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes winning games for no reason. This is the youngest team in the NBA, so when a win happens, it’s probably a good thing. So, if Nerlens Noel crams a game-winning dunk against the Nets, get up and cheer. Save your tweets about the 2015 NBA Draft until March and May, because no one has any idea what the standings will look like then. The only focus should be on watching these youngin’s excel and flourish under the tutelage of Brett Brown.