Adam Silver: Sixers' rebuilding strategy not a ‘disgrace'

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There are two teams that finished the season with fewer wins than the Sixers this year.

Still, when NBA Commissioner Adam Silver appeared on ESPN's Pardon the Interruption Monday, Tony Kornheiser asked him what could be done about the Sixers intentionally trying to lose.

"I think when you say they try to lose, you are not referring to the guys on the floor," Silver said.

Kornheiser clarified he was indeed referring to the organization and its philosophy on rebuilding.

It was not the first time Silver had to address this sensitive topic.

"As an organization, they are rebuilding," he said. "They have made a decision that in order to rebuild they have to position themselves to get higher draft picks. It is a legitimate strategy in the league right now. I don't think by any means that it is a disgrace."

Kornheiser had used the word "disgrace" to describe the Sixers' rebuilding approach. Silver, who became commissioner a year ago this past February, took over when the Sixers were in the midst of a 26-game losing streak.

This year, he watched the same organization start the season 0-17. Silver, however, is not ready to reprimand Sixers president and general manager Sam Hinkie for the method he is using to get the franchise back on track.

"The interesting thing with the 76ers is that there is a marketplace of ideas out there," Silver said. "If everyone was convinced it [losing] worked, everyone would be doing it. Our teams are so competitive with each other. I would like to see over time if it is an effective strategy. They are free to try it. They have not violated any of our rules.

"I get it, I am a fan too. It is not great basketball to watch, but I don't have an easy solution to it."

Last summer, the idea of changing the draft lottery drew a lot of attention and it appeared the Sixers' strategy was the motivation behind that discussion.

Silver was in favor of change.

"I was in favor of changing the draft lottery slightly to make it more of a disadvantage to reward the teams with the worst records getting the top picks," Silver said. "The owners did not approve that. It is a close call. The draft still has to serve its purpose. If you take away a draft that helps, in essence, the teams with the worst records getting the best draft picks, then you take away what the draft is for."

For now, the draft lottery remains weighted, and on May 19, the Sixers have a 15.6 percent chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick.

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