NBA Tank Rankings: Rockets make unexpected arrival

(2-12). Previous: . Los Angeles Lakers. 2. team. 20. Somehow, it is the Lakers that have become the laughingstock of the NBA, even with the presence of the team sitting at number one on this list. Byron Scott is simply presiding over a disaster right now, and Los Angeles has lost four consecutive games to fall to 2-12 on the year. <p>For a bit of context, the Lakers have been outscored by a comical 20.7 (!) points per 100 possessions in those four losses, and this is no longer a sample size issue. Scott continues to play the veterans in the midst of a rebuild, and with the ongoing saga with regard to D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles is a mess on and off the floor.</p> <p>At least they aren’t number one.</p>

1. team. 93. The Sixers were so close on Friday night. As mentioned earlier, Philadelphia nearly toppled Houston on the road, but in the end, Brett Brown’s team fell just short in a 116-114 defeat, and that brings the league’s basement dwellers to an almost impossible 0-17 on the season. <p>Much like last season, the Sixers are playing respectable defense (with the notable exception of a 50-point night from James Harden on Friday), but the lack of offensive talent is almost awe-inspiring. Philadelphia’s offense is <em>easily</em> the worst in the NBA (91.4 points scored per 100 possessions) and there is no real end in sight, provided that this team isn’t allowed to play against the porous Rockets defense on a nightly basis.</p> <p>The Sixers will occupy this spot until they prove worthy of exile, and that probably isn’t happening soon.</p>. (0-17). Previous: . Philadelphia 76ers