Fifteen losses to commence the season. Having gotten rid of most of their competent players, the Nets seem destined to greatness; can they win fewer than 9 games and set the NBA record for futility?
Interestingly, three other teams have also commenced a season 0-15, including those famed 9-win 76ers of 1972-1973.
Alarmingly, the Nets have lost four games by just 3 points or fewer, so a season of 0-82 seems unlikely. But fewer than 9 wins looks like an excellent shot. For the team to go 9-58 the rest of the way seems like a stretch.
I dunno, basketball teams seem to usually find some degree of respectability even after a terrible start. I recall the Thunder lost their first dozen or so games to initiate Oklahoma pro basketball, but they managed more than 9 wins in the end.
There are too many teams in the NBA for another team to be as bad as a 9 win team. They’ll catch enough teams on the second game of a back to back to get 20-30 wins.
The New Jersey Nets are not really THAT bad a team. Brooks Lopez is a future all star, Devin Harris already is one, Courtney Lee is a very solid player with a very bright future. They’ve been decimated by injuries but when healthy are clearly better than teams like the Grizzlies Knicks and Timberwolves. Center and point guard are the most important positions and they have a good set of those, even a very nice backup pg in Rafer Alston who took Orlando to the finals last year. They might break the worst start record, they are two losses away already and still don’t have all their team back but there is no way they lose under 10, i doubt they will even have the worst record this season.
I believe that the Timberwolves have a better shot at breaking the record this year. They are clearly worse than the Nets and they have but one win. Although Kevin Love is hurt and they might be significantly better with him playing.
All true. I like to see records fall and this team could definitely break the record for losses to start a season, but I don’t see them winning 8 games or less. There’s too much talent, and they’re young, not apathetic older guys collecting paychecks. Compare the players listed above to the two teams that started 0-17: the expansion Miami Heat in 1988-1989 (and notice the division that team was in), and the 1999-2000 Clippers. This Nets team is definitely better than that, and as noted, they’re not the worst team in the league.
Also working in their favor: by the end of this season, plenty of other teams will be out of contention and won’t be trying very hard. The Nets should pick up some wins in those games, too.
Looking at the standings I see the Timberwolves are winless(0 for the last 15) except for an opening day thriller which they won 95-93.Any guesses as to who they beat? Looks like an epic rematch on Dec.23.
Lawrence Frank is not a great coach, but - he had an 0-15 team playing hard every night. That is not east to do. Thought they would keep him around just for that reason.
I feel so bad for Rafer Alston and Courtney Lee. Both were instrumental in the Orlando finals run last year and both got rewarded with a trip to the arse end of the NBA (and world ;)).
It would be amazing if the Nets found a way to beat Dallas, so it looks like they’re going to have the record all to themselves. The question is, when does this losing streak stop? The Bobcats are about a .500 team. The Nets could have a chance against the Knicks (game 20) on Sunday, though.
I’m going with the Knicks. None of those players are really playing for anything except for themselves and couple that with a bad shooting night, it looks like the Nets will get their first win from NY.