Just in time to cement the perception that their post-All-Star break resolve is nothing but mere grandstanding, the Philadelphia 76ers certainly delivered on the disappointment front, turning in one of their worst losses this season.
Still intent on making the postseason, the 76ers followed that up with a stunning 105-103 loss at home to the tanking Brooklyn Nets, which pushed them out of 11th place in the East. Now, Philly is 20-36 on the season, and despite their subsisting proximity to the play-in tournament picture, it has become a complete disservice to the league that a team like them is still somehow in the loop.
Nevertheless, this game counts as a signature loss for the team this season –– which is pretty telling of their current situation given the multitude of ugly losses they have had. Having said that, this one is particularly noteworthy as it should prompt the franchise to not only cave in to reality, but also to finally answer what the fans have been rallying about since their campaign started to stink.
Terrible loss should force the 76ers to rethink Nick Nurse's future with the team
At the forefront of Philadelphia's terrible loss is Nick Nurse and his bizarre in-game decisions that cost them the game –– not only by virtue of a game-winning tip by Nic Claxton, but through the early hole they found themselves in.
The 76ers had to fight back through a couple of 17-point deficits on separate occasions despite having the clear talent advantage over the visitors, thanks in large part to Nurse acting like a mad scientist on the sidelines for all the wrong reasons.
His very long leash on the starters is a given, but the way he responded to a stale play in the first frame was as bizarre as it could get. First, he threw Lonnie Walker into the fire right when they needed a point guard. Jared Butler, whom the 76ers signed to a standard NBA deal after his impressive showing as of late, was a DNP.
To further drive fans mad, Nurse made the puzzling choice to initially play David Roddy over the Guerschon Yabusele. While it did not take long for the shrewd head coach to pull the plug on the Roddy whatchamacallit, the reliable Frenchman came into the game really cold by then, only racking up minutes thanks to an obvious decision to stick with him during the fourth quarter.
These small things matter a ton at this point, especially when the 76ers have advantages they are unable to capitalize on. At this point, the franchise should seriously think twice about letting Nick Nurse stick with the squad.
There is still some time for the Philadelphia 76ers to get where they want to be, but with each passing loss, reality only haunts them. After this season is over, it's time for the franchise to drop the hammer on Nick Nurse and listen to the fans once and for all.