Wake Up With The Sixer Sense — Sixers Didn’t Invent Tanking

The Philadelphia 76ers lost a tough one on Monday night against the Dallas Mavericks, despite seeming in the game until very late in the fourth quarter. This drops their record to a winless 0-11, and keeps them still as the only winless team in the entire league. Many wonder when they will win, and the fans are beginning to wonder how long the tanking will continue. The Sixers didn’t invent tanking though…

Here’s all the news you need to know this morning.

Sixers didn’t invent tanking — Keith Pompey

"The Warriors were the disgrace of the league during their shameless and unapologetic tanking in the 2011-12 season. With an 18-21 record and 27 games to play (the league played a strike-shortened 66-game schedule), Golden State completely collapsed in order to keep its first-round pick. Folks claimed the Warriors were being greedy by making the move even though they already had Curry, David Lee, and Klay Thompson on the roster. And Golden State’s critics unleashed pitchforks when the Warriors traded guard Monta Ellis, forward Ekpe Udoh, and center Kwame Brown to Milwaukee on March 13, 2012, for injured center Andrew Bogut and guard Stephen Jackson. Bogut played only 12 games that season – all for Milwaukee – before fracturing his left ankle in January."

Could Gregg Popovic coach the 76ers? Coach Pop: ‘I’d last a month’ — Kelly Dwyer

"“I honestly don’t know who else could be in Philadelphia doing what he’s doing. I couldn’t do it. I’d last a month. Two years ago, I mean. A month. Not in the third year.” Popovich has his own history of working with lacking teams. Well, if we’re honest, one lacking team – a 1996-97 Spurs outfit that he took over after a 3-15 start, leading it to a 17-47 record as it worked without a healthy David Robinson or Sean Elliott. The reward for his initial struggles was the chance to draft Tim Duncan with the first overall pick in the 1997 draft; a pick that some 18 years later is still paying dividends as San Antonio currently works with the league’s best defense."

Future is Bright for Winless 76ers — Alex Kennedy

"That’s because the Sixers could have two of the top four picks in the 2016 NBA Draft – and four first-round picks total – if everything goes Philadelphia’s way this season. They currently have their own pick, the Los Angeles Lakers’ selection (which is top-three protected), the Miami HEAT’s selection (which is top 10 protected) and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s selection (which is top 15 protected). With the Sixers currently sitting at 0-10, the NBA’s only winless team, it’s possible that this could be the season that Philadelphia finally tanks it’s way to the top draft pick. Thus far, the highest they’ve been able to pick is No. 3 (which is where they picked Jahlil Okafor and Joel Embiid). Winning the lottery would be huge for the franchise, as it would allow them to select a potential star such as LSU’s Ben Simmons with the first overall pick. Even landing the second pick could net Simmons, as Kentucky’s Skal Labissiere could go first (and Philadelphia doesn’t need another big man). But wait, the Sixers could find themselves on the clock once again minutes later. That’s because the Lakers’ pick that they own is only top three protected. With head coach Byron Scott rolling with his veterans (Kobe Bryant played 36 minutes last night…) and nailing his rookies to the bench (D’Angelo Russell played 21 minutes last night…), it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Lakers fall just outside of the top three. That could allow the Sixers to add a second potential star on draft night."