Mar 15, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Michael Carter-Williams (1) talks to referee Dick Bavetta (27) during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Losing is tough. Especially on a rookie who has been thrusted into the NBA as the face of a franchise — a role he may or may not have been ready for. Regardless, he had to accept the role. We are talking about Michael Carter-Williams of course. Losing takes a toll on anyone, especially when the loses have been piling up and reach 21 in-a-row. Sometimes, we all need a shoulder to lean on. For MCW, Kevin Durant has provided that shoulder.

The 76ers seem to be using the same blueprint that the Oklahoma City Thunder applied to select Kevin Durant with the second overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. That season, the Sonics (before they became the Thunder), finished the season with a record of 20-62, which was the second worst in the NBA that year. The worst record was held by the Miami Heat (15-67). Oh, how things have changed — and they say tanking doesn’t work!

Michael Carter-Williams said the following of his relationship with Durant (via Philly.com):

“I talk to [Durant] a bunch, and he just gives me good advice, telling me to stick with it and just keep working every day,” said Carter-Williams, whose Sixers (15-52) have lost a franchise-record 21 straight games. “I think we can relate. He’s knows the struggle I’m going through. “Just being basketball players, he came to me as a veteran and just talked to me a little about how to change things and change a program. Just a whole bunch of stuff.”

Back in October, Durant shared the following sentiments about the recurrent losing that occured in Seattle during his first few NBA seasons:

“It was tough for me, especially coming in as a young player,” Durant said. “I thought I was going to play with Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis when they were all-stars every year.” “Every game it was tough knowing that it was going to be hard for us to win,” Durant said. “But what we did was come in and work hard every day and know that it was going to be a process and maybe a tough year.”