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NBA Tank Rankings: Trouble in the nation’s capital

By Brad Rowland

Washington Wizards small forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) has his shot blocked by San Antonio Spurs center Boban Marjanovic (40) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Wizards small forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) has his shot blocked by San Antonio Spurs center Boban Marjanovic (40) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Philadelphia 76ers guard Isaiah Canaan (0) celebrates a three-point basket in front of the Atlanta Hawks bench in the fourth quarter of their game at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 127-106. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia 76ers guard Isaiah Canaan (0) celebrates a three-point basket in front of the Atlanta Hawks bench in the fourth quarter of their game at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 127-106. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

#2 – Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers are just brutal to consume on a daily basis. There is actually an argument for putting the Lakers in the “top” spot here, as Philadelphia has been better than Los Angeles over the past 15 games when evaluating overall net rating. We will spare Kobe Bryant and company the horror of the top spot this week, but a 4-22 record is nothing to get excited about.

Much of the attention has been paid to Bryant and the offensive issues for this team, but it is actually a ghastly defense (108.3 points allowed per 100 possessions) that is sinking the Lakers. NBA fans can hope that Byron Scott leans heavily on the young (read: interesting) talent in the future, but even an improvement from Kobe in recent days hasn’t saved this team from floundering.

#1 – Philadelphia 76ers

It’s bad in Philadelphia.

The Sixers have lost nine straight games to fall to 1-27 on the year, and they were soundly beaten by the Knicks at home on Friday night. During their recent nine-game losing streak, Philly was outscored by 18.1 points per 100 possessions, and their always impotent offense has been joined in ugliness by a struggling defense.

Philadelphia brought in Mike D’Antoni as associate head coach this week, and perhaps that will help the offense in the long run. Still, their issues are more about personnel than anything else, and that isn’t changing any time soon.

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