Courting a disastrous season, 0-11 Sixers exasperate even fervent fans

To say that the Philadelphia 76ers have performed poorly so far this season would be an understatement.

They’ve been awful.

At 0-11, they are dead last in their division and the NBA. Every other franchise has won at least three times.

“It’s sad,” said lifelong fan Michael Saks. “I usually do not leave the game early, and I was ready to leave the game early last night.”

Nobody expected the Sixers to win an NBA championship this season. In fact, team ownership has been frank about assembling a roster that would lose a lot in hopes of getting a top draft pick.

Still, it’s tough even for die-hard fans like Joe Gilson to watch such a lackluster team.

“Maybe watching every game isn’t the greatest idea in the world for this team this year,” he said.

The Sixers are coming dangerously close to earning the dubious distinction of having the most losses to start a season. If they drop seven more, they’ll be tied with the 2009-10 New Jersey Nets.

At this pace, they could also end up tying the franchise’s worst single season record. The 1972-73 Sixers finished with a record of 9-73.

“Before the season, I said 15 or 16 wins, but I think that’s very optimistic now,” said Gilson.

The Sixers’ next crack at a win comes Friday against the 7-5 Phoenix Suns.