Good morning, the Sixers are excellent at tanking
That’s 22 straight for Philadelphia. The #36ers and more in Thursday’s NBA newsletter.
Good morning. Let’s basketball.
TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE: Inspired Wednesday wins by the Knicks and Timberwolves would help those teams a lot more if they weren’t so far back in the first place. New York beat the Pacers behind 34 from Carmelo ... but remain four games behind the Hawks for the East No. 8. Kevin Love hit a darned nifty game-winner to lift the Wolves over the Mavericks in overtime. But Minnesota is still 5.5 games behind Dallas for No. 8 with the Suns in their way.
MORE SCORES: Need more results? We’ve got them.
LET’S MOCK: I put together our first 2014 NBA Mock Draft on Wednesday. The #36ers ended up with Andrew Wiggins and Dougie McBuckets. Not a bad outcome.
SPEAKING OF WHICH: The dream remains alive: the Sixers lost again. With a crushing tank-insurance play toward the end, too. They are now at 22 straight losses. According to my math (explained here), the probability Philly will end the season on a 36-game losing streak is now up to 22 percent.
NOT ALONE: The Sixers aren’t the only East team ice cold. The bottom three teams in the conference (Philly, Orlando and Milwaukee) have lost a combined 34 straight.
PUT A BOW ON IT: An essay on John Rawls, democratic socialization and tanking. Uh huh.
BLEDSOE BACK: James Herbert with an awesome profile of Eric Bledsoe, who has returned from a torn meniscus with eyes on rekindling the Suns’ magic formula and getting Phoenix into the playoffs. Interesting quotes about Bledsoe’s time caddying for Chris Paul, too.
BORN ALMOST READY: Remember LeBron’s insane, impossible pass from the other night? Lance Stephenson had a pass considered insane and impossible for much different reasons.
JOAKIM NOAH: Maniac in the open court.
THE TRANSFORMATION OF KYLE LOWRY: Woj profiles the Raptors star.
THE TRANSFORMATION OF DEANDRE JORDAN: Chris Ballard on the Clippers center.
THE NEW STYLE: Forget about trash talking. The best way to express anger, superiority and ennui in the NBA is now trash shrugging.
HAPPY TRAILS: The Bucks’ awful season has apparently led to the retirement of their mascot, Bango. (I blame O.J. Mayo.) The good news is that it means the Bucks are hiring a new Bango. Say, O.J., what would you say to a new role in the organization?
DOUBTING ISAIAH THOMAS: ... is an exercise in futility.
KILLING BEES: How the Wu-Tang Clan now lives apart.
MARCH MADNESS: The tournament really gets underway on Thursday. SBNation.com has comprehensive coverage. Enjoy!
Happy Thursday. See you next time.
