The Philadelphia 76ers had a 26-game losing streak at one point last season, yet somehow things look even more bleak early on in 2014-15.
The 76ers dropped their eighth consecutive game to start the season on Thursday, getting hammered 123-70 by the Dallas Mavericks. That 53-point margin represents a Mavericks' franchise record, the third-worst defeat in 76ers history, and the 19th-largest margin of victory in the NBA since 1946-47.
"You get another game tomorrow," 76ers head coach Brett Brown said Thursday, though it was unclear if he meant that as a positive or a negative. "The bad news is, it doesn't go away. It's like water dripping on your forehead, and there's no place to hide."
Strange analogies aside, the Sixers are in dire straits. Tanking is an obvious part of the franchises long-term plan, but it has to be maddening to live through. Dating back to last season, Philadelphia has won just four times in their last 44 outings. Hopefully there's an Ellen marathon soon.
Things are probably going to get worse as Philadelphia's road trip continues Friday in Houston and Monday in San Antonio. They're looking at an 0-10 start, and it's likely they'll continue one of the worst statistical starts in league history.
The 76ers have the third-worst point differential in league history through three games, according to ESPN Stats & Info, having been outscored by 143 points in total.
What's more, the 76ers current average margin of defeat is 17.9 points, head and shoulders above the worst such mark ever over a full season:
| Season | Team | Record | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | Philadelphia | 0-8 | -17.9 |
| 1992-93 | Dallas | 11-71 | -15.2 |
| 2011-12 | Charlotte | 7-59 | -13.9 |
| 1972-73 | Philadelphia | 9-73 | -12.1 |
| 1997-98 | Denver | 11-71 | -11.8 |
| -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 2013-14 | Philadelphia | 19-63 | -10.5 |
The worst part may be that no team looks like a potential win on the schedule, because the 76ers are just so damn bad. They're 30th in offense and 24th in defense, and it seems the latter is only going to get worse late in blowouts.
MCW didn't get back on D. Brown yelled at him to get back then went to talk to him during stoppage. MCW appeared to point to scoreboard
— Bob Cooney (@BobCooney76) November 14, 2014
Cheer up, Sixers fans. Joel Embiid, Dario Saric and another top pick are on the horizon, and Nerlens Noel, K.J. McDaniels and Michael Carter-Williams are still reason enough to watch.
