Philadelphia 76ers owner Joshua Harris says season was ‘huge success’

It’s not often that an NBA team can match a record for consecutive losses, finish with only 19 wins, and have the owner seem relatively pleased with the outcome. But Philadelphia 76ers owner Joshua Harris is keeping it all in context and isn’t unhappy with how the season went.

“I think the season has been a huge success for us,” Harris said Friday in an AP interview via ESPN.com.

No, he doesn’t think 19 wins is a successful campaign, but in terms of what he felt the Sixers needed to do this season, it was a job well done.

This season was all about building towards a new future for the 76ers, and the only way to do that was to unload high-priced talent, bring in some young projects, and make sure Philly had a shot at a top pick in the lottery.

So, was that tanking? Not according to Harris.

“We don’t use that word,” Harris said. “We don’t want to be 41-41. We don’t want to be one-and-done. We want this team, this city to be proud of the Sixers. We want to be proud of the Sixers.”

With a young nucleus consisting of Rookie of the Year candidate Michael Carter-Williams, and what looks to be a fully recovered Nerlens Noel next season, Philadelphia can now start the rebuilding process.

“All these pieces are in place to make this an elite team that will compete consistently for the NBA championship,” Harris said. “There’s no shortcuts to it. Unfortunately, it takes a long time. I’m really happy with the progress.”

At least one person is happy then. He can only hope the Sixers fans have patience to wait for it all to come together.