Could these 76ers be worst ever?

[HawkItus]

By Ryan Feldman

Are the 2014-15 Philadelphia 76ers the worst team in NBA history? 

After losing by 53 points to the Dallas Mavericks, the 76ers are now 0-8 for the second time in franchise history. 
 

Most 50-Point Losses -- NBA History 76ers 5 Cavaliers 3 Kings 3 Trail Blazers 3

The only other time they started 0-8, they finished the season 9-73, the fewest wins by any team all-time in an 82-game season. 

It’s no surprise the Sixers are off to such a bad start, but trailing by 44 at halftime and suffering a 53-point loss is perhaps the low point. 

Historical perspective of loss 
The 123-70 result is the largest margin of victory in Mavericks franchise history and the third-largest loss in Sixers franchise history. 

The 44-point halftime deficit was tied for the second-largest in NBA history. Only the Sacramento Kings’ 47-point deficit against the Warriors during the 1991-92 season was larger. 

The Sixers now have five 50-point losses in their franchise history, the most for any team. No other franchise has more than three. 

How bad are they? 
The 76ers have been outscored by 143 points in their first eight games -- that's the third-worst combined margin through eight games in NBA history. 
 

Worst Combined Margin Through 8 Games
NBA History     Finished 1997-98 Warriors -148 19-63 1988-89 Heat -147 15-67 2014-15 76ers -143 ? *All 3 teams started 0-8

The 1997-98 Warriors and 1988-89 Miami Heat (in their inaugural season) were the only teams to have an even worse start -- and they both finished with fewer than 20 wins. 

Even when the Sixers finished 9-73 in 1972-73, their margin through eight games was only minus-74. 

The Sixers rank last in the league in offensive efficiency, averaging 90.4 points per 100 possessions. They also rank last in rebound percentage, grabbing less than 46 percent of available rebounds. 

Nothing to work with 
The 76ers have just three first-round picks on their active roster (Michael Carter-Williams, Tony Wroten and Nerlens Noel), the fewest of any team. By comparison, the Mavericks have eight. 

The Sixers also have seven undrafted players on their active roster (the most of any team), compared to just two for the Mavericks (Greg Smith and J.J. Barea). 

The Sixers have now lost 40 of their past 44 games dating back to Jan. 31 of last season. 

[Guest]

That is some UNWATCHABLE basketball P-eeeeew.

[macdaddy]

Obviously they are on the road to a championship.   It's the sure fire method.

[PSSSHHHRRR87]

Tanking works.  The Suxers are proof of it...

 

 

But my fantasy team is glad that Wroten is playing so well.

Edited November 14, 2014 by PSSSHHHRRR87

[AHF]

I am interested to see how their full on tank plays out. It can't be judged for several more years. They are still in the losing on purpose stage so if you look at them and see that they suck right now all you can really say is their plan is right on track.

[Guest]

Sixers= master tankers

[benhillboy]

Forget the floors, ceilings, and health projections of all these high draft projects. How the hell they expect to attract Free Agents when their GM is seen as insane? I can't think of any great FA who went to Philly in their prime. They definately ain't going anytime soon with that regime and 13 owners.

[AHF]

Forget the floors, ceilings, and health projections of all these high draft projects. How the hell they expect to attract Free Agents when their GM is seen as insane? I can't think of any great FA who went to Philly in their prime. They definately ain't going anytime soon with that regime and 13 owners.

 

That may be why they are trying to make sure they land a stud to build around.  They seem likely to be on a path to too many skinny big men right now, though.

[Guest]

I am interested to see how their full on tank plays out. It can't be judged for several more years. They are still in the losing on purpose stage so if you look at them and see that they suck right now all you can really say is their plan is right on track.

It's certainly a bit of a counter factual for the Hawks of last year if they went with the tank. I'm slightly interested in this, but I also know the Sixers are only one realization of how tanking works. The Hawks could have done better or worse than the Sixers are currently doing. About the only solid conclusion I would be able to draw from their team is if tanking is a disaster, then I'd say tanking is stupid. All other scenarios would only change my opinion slightly.