Sixers starting to prove tanking can work

With apologies to Charles Dickens, it’s been the best of times, it’s been the worst of times, NBA variety.

The good news is “the process” works. The bad news is “the process” works.

After several seasons of failing to put a competitive team on the court, giving rise to accusations of “tanking,” the Philadelphia 76ers are returning to the Playoffs for the first time in a half dozen seasons, led by Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. With Indiana’s loss to Miami on Sunday the 76ers officially clinched a Playoffs berth.

And at 42-30 the Sixers started this week having won six in row and seeded sixth in the East, a game and a half behind third seeded Cleveland. They are assured of only their second winning season in more than a dozen years.