Fansided

NBA Tank Rankings: Why do bad games happen to bad teams?

By Matt Rutkowski

Feb 9, 2017; Boulder, CO, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) before the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Boulder, CO, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) before the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 20, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown high fives forward Dario Saric (9) during the first quarter against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown high fives forward Dario Saric (9) during the first quarter against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Philadelphia 76ers

Dario Saric, baby. Luwawu-Caborrot, bro. These are cool names and they are attached to neat players. Some might call them spiffy. Snazzy, even.

The thing about snazz, one must realize, is that it’s ephemeral. Flash paper. That slippery period after a strong 12 hours of sleep when your dreams still seem woven into waking life and the piano wire of reality has yet to touch your throat. Breathe while you can because it’s unlikely the snazztastic air will linger much longer.

Saric is, by default, the center of his team’s world right now. He’s succeeded in transforming the argument about Rookie of the Year from “Do we really have to give it to someone?” to “Yeah, I guess he’ll do.” NBA conversations move slowly, so this is a real achievement.

Not to be outdone, Luwawu-Caborrot has moved the conversation about him from “Who?” to “Oh.” This is also good. Good for him.

The 76ers have looked the best of all the teams on this list of late, so they get the honor of the “almost, not quite, but almost not on these rankings” five spot. This doesn’t earn fireworks, but a bulk set of sparklers from CostCo should do.

It’s not all rosewater in their section of the swamp, though. They’re still missing who are probably their two best players, and they’re not coming back until next season. Who knows how well they’ll be able to carry on until then, but for now they’re here. Live in the moment.

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