#360USA: Poor Philadelphia 76ers are spiralling out of control

Steve Brenner 10:12 23/11/2015
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  • Philadelphia are on their way to becoming one of the worst teams in NBA history.

    Haven’t we been here before? A team masquerading as a fully-fledged NBA team wearing Philadelphia 76ers shirts trying to turn expectation into glory? A franchise who, despite seeing attendance levels sink to their third worst in the entire League, continue to offer hope of a bright new dawn while supporters prepare to take permanent residence behind the nearest sofa.

    This time last year, we examined how Brett Brown’s side were already on the way to becoming one of the worst basketball teams of all time. That they managed to grind out 19 wins failed to mask the feeling of hopelessness and embarrassment swirling around weary Philadelphia sports fans.

    – NFL: Smith banned for a year over substance use
    – NBA: 76ers woes continue with yet another loss
    – NFL: Bengals slump to first defeat of the season

    Well, fast forward 12 months and what’s changed? Satuday night’s defeat in Miami ensured we’re back where we started – 0-14. A laughing stock. A team devoid of experience, packed full of honest rookies who, in all reality, wouldn’t get into most other sides.

    There is no experience in the ranks. No go to man to haul his side out of the abyss. There’s not even a point-guard of any note.

    Sporting director Sam Hinkie continues, however to, preach his dream. The 36 year-old business analyst with no basketball experience, continues to shuffle his pack with the hope of landing the top draft picks for 2016.

    As it stands, the 76ers will have four ahead of the start of the next season. That could see a strong core from which to build around. If that’s the plan, however, in the first place.

    Only four healthy players from the 2014 training camp took part in this summer’s preparations.

    Injured forward Carl Landry was only squad member with more than three years of NBA experience coming into this season. And he’s out until January following wrist surgery. Philadelphia are three years into a reboot which still hasn’t left square one.

    “I think now is a time to get excited in a sadistic way to go on the road for this long, difficult trip and try to get that bunker mentality,” said Brown ahead of a six game road trip which began on Friday.

    “Time to get excited in a sadistic way to go on the road for this long, trip” – Brett Brown

    Yet no-one is laughing. Looking ahead is commendable. What about now though? What about the fans who continue to turn up night after demoralising night watching the inevitable beatdown?

    Luck hasn’t been on their side. Last season saw highly rated centre Nerlens Noel miss the entire campaign through injury. Joel Embiid has suffered similarly in 2015.

    The numbers are harrowing and surely an indicator that, perhaps, the plans of asset growing need to be reassessed. Going into Sunday night’s match-up with Miami, they were four defeats from breaking last season’s record held by the 2013-14 76ers and the 2010-11 Cavaliers for most consecutive losses across seasons (26).

    The Brooklyn Net’s 18 defeat start to the 2009 season is lurching into view. The 76ers have accumulated an NBA-worst 102 more losses than wins (37-139) during Hinkie’s tenure. Brown’s entire record stands at won 37 lost 140. 

    The team salary comes in at around $60 million, but only $18.5 million of the total has seen game time so far – and that includes three players on first round rookie deals. To place into financial context, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ team salary is an amazing six times more than the entire 76ers roster.

    Hinkie’s strategy is to place emphasis on the future over current value though this constant tanking – effectively losing in the knowledge better times await – cannot last forever. A few weeks ago, a proposal to reform the draft lottery in a bid to stave off plans like Hinkie’s was six votes shy of being passed. That will surely be reversed before long. 

    The fans are beginning to turn in greater numbers and after Wednesday’s 112-85 defeat to the Indiana Pacer which saw 31 turnovers from the home side – the highest in NBA since 2000 – anger levels have reached new proportions.

    Owner Josh Harris’s takeover of Crystal Palace could soon be complete. The billionaire maintains his interest in Philadelphia – the franchise purchased for $300 million has now doubled in value. Yet Premier League football will provide a welcome respite. Losing every match is no fun – no matter how bright the future might be.

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