Fansided

NBA Tank Rankings: Knicks hold draft lottery torch

By Brad Rowland

New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson smiles against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the 76ers 101 - 91. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson smiles against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the 76ers 101 - 91. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) leans on the scorers table during the second half of a game against the Washington Wizards at Wells Fargo Center. The Wizards won 119-90. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) leans on the scorers table during the second half of a game against the Washington Wizards at Wells Fargo Center. The Wizards won 119-90. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

3) Philadelphia 76ers

By nature of a seven-game losing streak, the Sixers may not reach the 20-win plateau. With that said, this roster has still violently overachieved.

Several pundits, myself included, predicted that Philadelphia would break the NBA record for futility this season, but they have soundly outlasted that (admittedly low) benchmark thanks to a strong defense. The Sixers have been an above-average defensive team for the entire season, allowing just 102.0 points per 100 possessions, and that is a credit to Brett Brown and a young, lengthy group of players.

At the same time, this is not a talented NBA roster. Nerlens Noel is a potential gem, but Robert Covington has been the team’s second-best player this season (yikes) and it is a miracle that Brown has produced reasonable results with this group. The defense means a lot, but Philadelphia has produced the worst offense in the league by more than four points per 100 possessions, and that can’t be ignored.

It would be a mistake to write off Philadelphia in the tanking race, simply because they have executed the plan to perfection over multiple seasons. However, the 76ers will not “win” the honor of having the most ping-pong balls, and somewhere, Sam Hinkie is seething at the thought of falling short in this regard.

Next: Minnesota

Home/Los Angeles Lakers