8:30 p.m. CDT, ESPN
The rebuilding process in sports, particularly the NBA, is a funny thing.
Rebuilding teams usually sacrifice immediate success over the course of a season or more in order to reach that success in the future. During this period, the expectations for the team are low — short-term achievement is not defined by wins and losses. Rather, it’s defined by the production of recently-acquired young franchise players.
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers have both succumbed to the rebuilding process over the past few years — and both franchises were forced into the rebuilding process thanks to a superstar leaving town following the 2006-07 season.