While most sports teams would consider it an honor to break league records, the 76ers were absolutely determined to avoid making history.

The Philadelphia 76ers brought their horrendous 26-game losing streak to an end this Saturday when they handily defeated the Detroit Pistons, 123-98. The win, the team's first since Jan. 29, brought the Sixers one loss shy of setting a record for longest losing skid in not only the NBA, but in U.S. major league sports history.

The rout was led by rookie sensation Michael Carter-Williams and veteran forward Thaddeus Young, who scored 21 points each. The Sixers kept a comfortable lead over the Pistons for most of the game, leading by as much as 32 points. By the end of the third quarter, the arena was already on their feet in applause.

"We were just happy to get a win," Young said, according to ESPN. "I don't think it was for the streak or anything like that, we just wanted to go out there and win a basketball game and continue to just play."

It was important statement to make to the fans... after suffering two months of demoralizing losses, the team had not given up yet. In truth, most understand that the losing has not been the fault of the players at all, but rather a long-term vision from new General Manager Sam Hinkle. In preparation for next year's loaded draft class, Hinkle unloaded most of the team's key contributors, leaving a roster of made up inexperienced players, many from the Development League.

The plan was clear from the get-go. The Sixers were going to tank, and they were going to tank hard.

"We chose a path when Sam was hired," Coach Brett Brown said, as quoted by the New York Times. "Some may agree with it; some may not agree with it. We're not claiming it to be the correct way to do it. But we're committed to the plan. We don't want to blink. We are fully committed to seeing our way through."

Brown understands the situation well. He, as he has outright said himself, knows that few free agents will want to come to a team with little chance at competing for a championship. To rise in the NBA, you need to fall first. Still, the process hasn't been easy for the team to bear.

This latest win gives something for the fans to be excited about. With young hopefuls like Michael Carter-Williams and last year's recovering draft pick Nerlens Noel added with the potential for two high picks in this year's draft, the future for this long suffering team looks bright.