Last night the Philadelphia 76ers dropped a record-tying 26th straight game to the Rockets, with James Harden hammering home the point with a triple-double. That equals the mark for most consecutive losses not only in basketball, but in all four major sports leagues. Somehow, the 76ers are still a game above the Bucks for worst record in the league, but if current trends prove accurate, they will soon fall into dead last. In fact, if current trends prove accurate, the Sixers may never win another game again.
Coach Brett Brown, who is excellent at thwarting reality, had this to say after the game: “I can tell you very, very sincerely that this is something that in a twisted way is enjoyable in regards to watching the young guys get better… I feel like we’re heading in the right direction.”
Brown is likely deflecting from the fact that the Sixers, without a doubt, set out this season to hit it big in the lottery. The tanking started before the season did, when Philly traded Jrue Holiday to the Pelicans for an extra pick in this year’s draft and Nerlens Noel, who has yet to set foot on an NBA court. But whatever the intentions behind it, the team that started the season 3-0 are right where they belong (or maybe slightly above it).
The 76ers will go for the record tomorrow against the dismal Pistons in a truly epic matchup. Just as long as you find D-League caliber ball “epic.”
Photos by Steven M. Falk / MCT / Landov