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76ers coach Brown: 'I'm truly numb' to 26-game losing streak

Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

The Philadelphia 76ers, at 0-16, are two losses shy of tying the 2009-10 New Jersey Nets for the worst start ever to start a season.

And it only gets worse from there. The Sixers have now lost 26 consecutive games, if you include their 10-game losing streak that ended last season. That combined skid ties their own record set two seasons ago, and shared with the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers, for the longest losing streak in NBA history.

Or, to put it another way: The Sixers haven't won a game in eight months.

The obscene losing streaks used to get on Sixers head coach Brett Brown's nerves. The third-year 76ers coach has an unfortunate career record of 37-143, and at this point, he's just become despondent over the continued skid.

"I don’t even care. I don’t even think about it," Brown told Jessica Camerato of CSN Philly. "We’re trying to grow young kids and grow young players. How many streaks have I been a part of? I’m numb to it. I’m truly numb to it."

Brown may be saying he's numb, but the last three loses had to hurt. Each time, Philadelphia managed to hold a lead with less than three minutes in the fourth quarter, only to end up losing.

All in all, the team has been unthinkably awful during crunch time. They've played 25 minutes in clutch scenarios this season, where they've posted a net rating of minus-85.5.

if there's perhaps any solace to be found, it's that the Sixers have at least been competitive of late. And with the bitter reality being perhaps too dark for him to face, Brown is choosing to look on the bright side.

"I believe for those guys," Brown said. "They bust their (butts). They defend. They guard. They care. In my humble opinion, a win is not far away."

Hang in there, Brett. Trust the process, tell Jahlil Okafor to keep his head up, and enjoy that fruit basket.

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