In recent weeks, fans from around the league have ramped up their scrutiny of the Philadelphia 76ers and management’s way of going about building a roster capable of competing for an NBA title. However, despite a historically abysmal start for the second season in a row, there is still hope for the team that presides in Philadelphia.

Most NBA-watchers continue to look at box scores exclusively, a lazy tactic that makes bashing the 76ers’ plan of attack rather easy. Furthermore, most fans fail to wrap their mind around just how many assets Philadelphia has accumulated over the past few years, a strategy that has been executed rather well by Sam Hinkie and company.

During the process of gutting the team, injuries have been taxing on the 76ers as a team. Obviously, Joel Embiid‘s injury looms large, but Robert Covington‘s hiatus was a tough blow as well. Additionally, Tony Wroten and Kendall Marshall have yet to play a minute this year, two key role players who bring skills that the rotation is searching for right now.

However, with these injuries in mind, the situation in Philadelphia is not as bad as their 0-17 record indicates. The 76ers have played the third-toughest schedule to date, and although several of those games have ended in blowouts, Covington’s return has brought a new sense of hope to the team.

In the past four games, Philadelphia has held a lead in every fourth quarter, giving the team a legitimate shot at claiming their first victory in the 2015-16 campaign. Although the 76ers have fallen short in their attempts thus far, one reality remains clear: Covington’s presence bumps Philadelphia into NBA respectability.

Over the last four-game stretch, Covington has played 35.0 minutes per game, and has recorded a positive +/- in three of those contests. Offensively, he has shot 43.8 percent from behind the arc, providing a spark for the worst offensive group in the league. Defensively, he boasts rare versatility, possessing the ability to guard nearly every position on the opposing squad. In a league that values defensive versatility, the 76ers have found a gem in the 6-foot-9 Covington.

During Covington’s first four games back at full strength, Philadelphia has recorded an offensive rating of 95.4, defensive rating of 98.5 and net rating of -3.2 according to NBA.com/Stats. These numbers reveal a different team than the full-season marks of 91.4, 103.8 and -12.4, respectively, that the 76ers have produced this year. Surprisingly, the net rating of -3.2 would rank 21st in the league over the full season, a far cry from the team’s current last-place rank.

Of course, Covington has been unable to rid the youngest team in the league of their continued late-game struggles. However, when Wroten returns, Philadelphia will add someone who can create his own shot, something the 76ers lack from the perimeter right now. Last season, Wroten tallied 20.4 points and 6.3 assists per 36 minutes, and his shot-making ability has been sorely missed.

Similarly, Marshall will provide the 76ers with a point guard who can pass the ball into the post, a serious problem for the current 76ers team. With Marshall at point guard, Philadelphia will be able to feed Jahlil Okafor in the post more effectively, something that will certainly result in positive outcomes offensively.

Now, if Nik Stauskas can transform himself into the shooting prospect that the 76ers acquired him to be, Philadelphia will finally have someone who can stretch the floor from three-point range. The 76ers need his skillset, as Philadelphia ranks 29th in true shooting percentage this year.

Ultimately, the 76ers have found a way to stockpile enough assets in the near future to be respectable sooner rather than later. Although Philadelphia will not win many games this season, their plan has not failed. The 76ers will have their name called several times during the upcoming draft, while Dario Saric and Embiid (hopefully) will be present next season as well. With even more young and talented players forthcoming, wins are surely soon to follow.

Nicholas Sciria is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Nick_Sciria, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.