Philadelphia 76ers tanking plan is rolling full speed ahead

THE END OF CIVILIZATION AS WE KNOW IT: A security guard at the Lakers’ practice facility in El Segundo was arrested for stealing two championship rings and $20,000 in gift cards.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Charlotte Bobcats guard Gerald Henderson, after a reporter suggested that the fourth-quarter scoring duel between 184-pound teammate Kemba Walker and 185-pound Stephen Curry of Golden State was like a heavyweight championship fight:

“Well, maybe a featherweight championship fight.”

TANKAPALOOZA!: After his New York Knicks lost at Boston on Friday, J.R. Smith said of the Celtics, “This team is No. 1 in our division for a reason.” Yes, and that reason is everyone else stinks or is trying to stink. You can even make the argument that with their choice of coach, roster construction and injured star that the Celtics are trying to stink. They just stink less than every other team in the Badlantic.

LINE OF THE WEEK: Al Horford, Atlanta vs. Washington, Dec. 13: 41 minutes, 15-23 FGs, 4-5 FTs, 15 rebounds, two assists, two steals, two turnovers, zero fouls, 34 points in a 101-99 overtime win. While matching his career high in points, Horford sank a pair of tying free throws at the end of regulation and a game-winning jumper at the overtime buzzer.

LINE OF THE WEAK: Jodie Meeks, LA Lakers at Oklahoma City, Dec. 13: 36 minutes, 3-16 FGs, 2-7 3-pointers, 1-2 FTs, two rebounds, one assist, zero steals, zero blocks, five turnovers, nine points in a 122-97 loss. Meeks was a minus-22 and responsible for an empty possession (18 missed shots or turnovers) every other minute he was on the floor.

TRILLION WATCH: Quite a week for newbies. Among this week’s zero heroes were rookies Sergey Karasev of Cleveland (2 trillion Tuesday vs. New York), Jeff Withey of New Orleans (3 trillion Wednesday vs. Detroit), Archie Goodwin of Phoenix (3 trillion Friday vs. Sacramento), Erik Murphy of Chicago (5 trillion Wednesday at New York) and Tony Snell of Chicago (5 trillion Saturday vs. Toronto). In addition, Otto Porter of Washington wrecked a 7 trillion with a rebound Monday vs. Denver and Peyton Siva of Detroit spoiled a 7 trillion with a foul Wednesday at New Orleans. Clippers big Byron Mullens had a 6 trillion Thursday at Brooklyn until he was overtaken by Pelicans forward Darius Miller, who had a 7 trillion Sunday vs. Denver. New Orleans was a minus-15 when he was on the court.

GAME OF THE WEEK: Indiana at Miami, Dec. 18. As was the case last week, both teams will be rested for the second installment of the four-part miniseries previewing the Eastern Conference finals. There is some pressure on the Heat to hold serve after they were overwhelmed by Roy Hibbert in the second half of their loss at Indiana. Chris Sheridan previews what this game means for the Pacers in this podcast with the Big O Show on 640-AM in Miami.

GAME OF THE WEAK: Philadelphia at Milwaukee, Dec. 21. There’s no shortage of bad games this week as both Utah and Sacramento are on Eastern road trips. However, the 76ers are the worst defensive team overall (110.4 points per game) and a league-worst 1-10 on the road while the Bucks are the worst offensive team overall (89.8 ppg) and a league-worst 2-10 at home.

TWO MINUTES: It’s 93 and counting for Hawks swingman Kyle Korver, who twice this week was shut out in the first half — vs. Oklahoma City on Monday and at New York on Saturday — before making his first trey of the second half to extend his streak. This week, Atlanta hosts the LA Lakers (ninth in 3-point defense at .346), Sacramento (29th, .343) and Utah (19th, .365). … In the last five games, Knicks shooting guards Iman Shumpert (3-of-22) and J.R. Smith (9-of-36) are a combined 12-of-58 from the field. Rookie shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. is 15-of-35. … Since the beginning of last season, the Wizards are 3-24 with seven straight losses when big man Nene doesn’t play. Clippers coach Doc Rivers thinks he knows why. “He is not just big, he is a veteran big and he’s pretty smart,” Rivers said. “So you have another thinker on the floor. You also have a guy who we call a ‘run-stopper’; you can drop it down to him and he can give you a bucket. When a team gets going, you need somewhere to go with the ball and it can’t always be on the perimeter because you live and die with jump shots.” … In November, 37-year-old Tim Duncan averaged 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting 43.5 percent in 28.1 minutes. In December, Duncan is averaging 17.0 points and 12.7 rebounds while shooting 55.3 percent in 28.8 minutes. … Brad Stevens has silenced a lot of skeptics – including this one – with the job he has done thus far with the Celtics. But every once in a while, he reminds us that he is new to the NBA. After a loss to Brooklyn, Stevens said, “We weren’t playing the New Jersey Nets that played without D-Will for those 10 games.” … The Grizzlies are 0-6 in their division and 5-9 at home. Last season, they were 10-6 in their division and 32-9 at home. They didn’t lose their ninth game at FedEx Forum until April 13. … After just one return of balloting, Eastern Conference All-Star voting is pretty much over. In the frontcourt, No. 3 Carmelo Anthony already leads No. 4 Roy Hibbert by 215,000 votes. In the backcourt, undeserving Dwyane Wade is first and No. 2 Kyrie Irving leads No. 3 Derrick Rose (um, folks, he’s out for the season) by 93,000 votes.