The Philadelphia 76ers entered the NBA season with plenty of optimism. They were expecting to build upon last year’s second-round playoff appearance, but things have not gone as planned. Big offseason acquisition Andrew Bynum has been bothered by knee problems and hasn’t played in a single game. As a result, the team is 24-40 and headed for its second-worst season since 1997-98.
Aware that this season is a bust, Sixers CEO and co-owner Adam Aron already has his eye on the team improving its chances in the NBA Draft lottery. It started with a tweet from Aron, who was pulling for his squad to beat Miami on Wednesday and end the Heat’s 19-game winning streak:
Just for 3 minutes and 37 seconds can we forget about ping pong balls. Sixers lead Heat 87-85 deep in Q4.
— Adam Aron (@SixersCEOAdam) March 14, 2013
Aron is in a win-win situation. Getting a big win over Miami or Brooklyn would be thrilling, but a loss increases the team’s chances of getting a higher pick in the draft:
(1st of 2 tweets) Sixers beat Nets Monday and ever so close last night vs Heat. It would have been so gratifying to break Miami’s streak.
— Adam Aron (@SixersCEOAdam) March 14, 2013
(2nd of 2 tweets) but for you ping pong addicts, our grueling schedule: 18 games left, 6 home 12 on road,9 versus 1st or 2nd place teams
— Adam Aron (@SixersCEOAdam) March 14, 2013
It doesn’t seem like Aron is too concerned about the team faring poorly the rest of the way, does it? He shouldn’t be. At this point, getting a higher pick in the draft is probably best for the team, as is releasing Andrew Bynum.
H/T Spike Eskin
