Philadelphia 76ers The Worst Team Ever? Team Already Setting Records For Futility
The Philadelphia 76ers are making a solid run at becoming the worst NBA team ever assembled, and just set a franchise mark for futility.
On Saturday, the team dropped its 16th straight game to start the year, breaking the franchise mark of 15 straight losses set by the 1972-73 club. That team went on to set the NBA record for fewest victories (in an 82-game season) with a 9-73 mark, but many believe this year’s club can make a solid run at the record.
The Philadelphia 76ers lost what was for them a close game on Saturday, falling to the Dallas Mavericks 111-103 despite a triple-double from Michael Carter-Wiilliams.
Though the team has looked outmatched in most of its contests, coach Brett Brown said they are not feeling down on themselves.
“I’m fine and I don’t want those guys worrying about any record,” Brown said after Saturday’s loss. “We just have to keep our group together and move them along. I have so much respect for that group because their spirit has not been broken.”
“We’re heartbroken we haven’t won,” he added. “But down deep I feel like I know something that’s going on that I like. I think they will be rewarded for the work they’re putting in. I hope it’s sooner than later to validate their efforts.”
But Brown may be alone in his optimism for the team. Oddsmakers have determined that the 76ers are favored in not a single one of their remaining games this year.
Your weekly @numberFire update: Sixers favored in ZERO of remaining 69 games. Best win odds are 44.6% on March 30 at home against… Lakers
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) November 24, 2014
There is good reason for the pessimism. Philadelphia is averaging 92.2 points per 100 possessions but giving up 108.7, a 16.5-point margin that is close to worst in NBA history.
And the bad news keeps piling up for the Philadelphia 76ers. This week, they learned that leading scorer Tony Wroten would miss at least a week with a sprained knee.
