Dec. 04--They slowly formed a circle around each other, seemingly unsure of what to do, finally every one of the Philadelphia 76ers smiling and laughing.
The 76ers had just avoided making the wrong kind of history, getting their first win of the season with an 85-77 victory over the equally-hapless Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday night.
Philadelphia had lost its first 17 games, but mercifully for the players, the 76ers didn't tie the NBA record for the worst start to a season -- an 0-18 start by the 2009-10 New Jersey Nets.
There hadn't been much to smile about in Philadelphia all season, but now the players were happy and hugged each other, even if they are just 1-17.
It showed that they cared, that they still have been playing hard and that they kept the right approach.
The 76ers next play Friday night, hosting the 5-13 Oklahoma City Thunder, which just got Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook back playing again after the two stars missed time with injuries.
But for one night, the 76ers were all smiles.
"Congrats lil homies," former 76ers great Allen Iverson tweeted. "Keep fighting and stay strong."
