The Philadelphia 76ers haven't done much to hide their strategy. Selecting draft picks who are either stuck in Europe or injured over the past two years, refusing to fill the roster with veterans and voting against NBA Draft Lottery reform all lend evidence to their goals. Some call it tanking, others don't. Whatever the definition, the Sixers aren't too pressed to start winning immediately.
Michael Carter-Williams: ‘Don’t talk to me about tanking’
Philadelphia 76ers guard Michael Carter-Williams doesn’t want to hear any criticism about his team tanking.
Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
That said, the players they do have active on the roster are fighting. Michael Carter-Williams, who is out with a shoulder injury, doesn't want to hear about your tanking talk.
In order to get to the NBA, you have to be crazy, over-the-top competitive. When I was riding the bench my freshman year at Syracuse, I used to stay in the gym so late doing dribbling drills that I had to superglue my fingers to stop them from bleeding.
You can question my shooting. You can question my ceiling. Just don’t question if I’m giving my all every single night. Don’t talk to me about tanking.
Carter-Williams ended up watching a lot of Ellen when the Sixers’ 2013-14 season -- one that saw them draw attention when they nearly lost 27 consecutive games in a row -- ended. He took offense when ESPN sent Stephen A. Smith to cover what was expected to be the record-setting loss. Turns out, the 76ers pulled off a win and Smith slipped out the back door.
While Carter-Williams may be right or wrong when he blames the narrative placed on the Sixers, he has a valid point. The players don’t have control of the situation. They’re trying their best.
See More:
