Bulls Keep Sixers on Road to NBA Futility Mark

You want to know what is really incredible about the Philadelphia 76ers’ apparent attempt to be positioned to have the top pick in the 2014 draft? After their 24th consecutive loss Saturday to the Chicago Bulls, they still didn’t have the worst record in the league.

This photo really doesn’t have anything to do with the Bulls. In case you were wondering.

The Sixers (15-55) trail the Milwaukee Bucks (13-56) for that honor. If “honor” is the correct noun (and something says it is not).

The Bulls’ 91-81 victory left the Sixers with the second-longest losing streak in NBA history. Philadelphia is two defeats away from tying the Cleveland Cavaliers (2010-11) for the league’s record for consecutive defeats.

To say the Sixers gave it their best shot against the Bulls would be something of an overstatement. And quite off-target — much like Philadelphia’s shooting from the field. The Sixers were 30-of-87 from the field (34.5 percent); they were 1-of-20 (5 percent) from three-point range. Abysmal does not even begin to describe the offensive efforts. Well, if “efforts” is the correct noun *and something says it is not) — despite what coach Brett Brown says.

“We were 1-for-20,” he said. “What do you say? It’s going to be hard because I thought our defense was quite good. It is always going to be hard if you can’t make perimiter shots. This group has struggled to do that, so finding wins and finding ways to stat in games is always going to be a challenge.”

“They packed the paint, so we were getting a lo of three-point shots,” said Thaddeus Young, who had a game-high 28 points for the Sixers in going 0-for-7 from three-point range. “They were wide-open looks. We just didn’t make them. It is what it is, another game.”

Meaning — in the case of the Sixers — another loss. And another game closer to the draft.

Here is where to go for non-gratuitous video (thanks to the essential efforts of the editorial and video departments at ElliottHarris.com):

Advertising opportunities are available on ElliottHarris.com. For information and rates, contact sales@elliottharris.com.