Outside of perhaps the L.A Lakers it’s hard to think of a more disappointing team in the NBA this season than Philadelphia.
The 76ers are currently four games outside a playoff berth with their awful season compounded by the fact only four teams are paying more salary than the Philly club.
Unlike other franchises whose tailspin has a modicum of predictability, Philadelphia’s has been somewhat of a surprise.
The 76ers were in the playoffs 10 months ago having led the Atlantic Division for a large part of the year. In the post-season they eliminated the Bulls (albeit Chicago without the services of Derrick Rose) before taking the Celtics to seven games in the Eastern Conference Semi Finals.
Evidence pointing towards the horrendous season for Philly can be found in an off-season fuelled by an internal misinterpretation of how advanced they were as a franchise.
The 76ers traded out their best player Andre Iguodala in exchange for a deal to land L.A centre Andrew Bynum who not only had just a year to run on his contract but whose historically battered body has kept him from playing a single game this season.
What’s more, Philly had already re-signed big man Spencer Hawes on a two year, $13 million deal prior to the Bynum trade bringing into serious question the sudden need to acquire the Los Angeles centre.
Despite the deal and Bynum’s inactivity, Hawes has failed to deliver and has started just 11 of a possible 53 games this campaign.
Philly also used free agency period to bring in a raft of outside shooters including Nick Young, Jason Richardson and Dorell Wright, all of whom are earning at least $4 million this season, none of which have managed to hit the long range shot better than 36%.
Without doubt the shining light in Philadelphia this season has been Jrue Holiday who was recently rewarded with his first All-Star appearance.
The former UCLA first round pick is averaging 18 points and eight assists per game, with a massive 27% of Philly’s offence being run through him.
Of concern however is the 38 minutes per game Holiday is being apportioned each game which is a big jump on the 33 he averaged last year and large numbers for just a fourth year player.
The 76ers are presently in the midst of a five game skid and haven’t topped 92 points in any of their past 10 games.
For a team club who inspired so much positivity last season there’s now serious fears Philly are about to enter, and perhaps remain, among the NBA’s bottom feeders for seasons to come.
Front office complacency went a long way in sending the 76ers to this position. Front office imagination and ingenuity will perhaps be the only way to bring them back.
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