A pair of losses to the previous two Eastern Conference Champions, the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks, didn’t provide much reason for concern. Sure, both teams were missing key starters in Robert Williams III and Khris Middleton. But an 0-2 start when the schedule was announced seemed completely plausible for the Philadelphia 76ers. Boston and Milwaukee are good teams without those dudes and great teams with them.
Yet after a loss Saturday to the San Antonio Spurs, who traded away All-Star Dejounte Murray this summer and field a rotation full of young, developing prospects, reason for concern has justifiably swelled.