The Golden State Warriors never lose and the Philadelphia 76ers never win. Two original N.B.A. franchises linked forever when one took the place of the other in Philadelphia, they now represent the polar opposites of where a team can be in its development.
Since the Warriors left Philadelphia in 1962, and the Syracuse Nationals were sold and relocated there as the 76ers in 1963, the franchises have been on roller coasters of success and failure, with the 76ers generally the better team. But the pendulum swung Golden State’s way a few seasons ago, and it has been taken to extremes this season with the Warriors entering the weekend 10-0 and the 76ers 0-9.