Some of the players just don’t work well together and some of the NBA teams are just bad. Whether they are not practicing well enough or they are not motivated enough, watching an NBA team lose one game after another is not enjoyable. Especially, when the team represents your town.
Not to put the fault on just one player. Losing is a group effort and sometimes even the best player can’t make it through without a good team. Let’s take a look at the longest losing streaks in NBA history and try to analyze what made the team drop the ball so often.
The Longest NBA Losing Streak
This rather not honorable record is held by the dramatic mess which is the Philadelphia 76ers. It’s sad to say, but they come up on the longest losing streaks list more than once. But why were they so bad?
Philadelphia 76ers, 28 Losses
The longest losing streak ever started in March 2015 with a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers and lasted in the consecutive season.
At this time, the Sixers consisted of young and athletic players, who unfortunately lacked experience. And it’s important to remember not to put the blame only on those players. Without the right strategic plans and proper guidance, they were thrown in at the deep end. They lost 28 times, 10 times in the 2014-2015 season and 18 times in the 2015-2016 season.
Maybe it was pure luck or maybe some actions behind the scenes but the Philadelphia 76ers finally won on December 1st 2015 against the Los Angeles LakersMaybe it was pure luck or maybe some actions behind the scenes but the Philadelphia 76ers finally won on December 1st, 2015 against the Los Angeles Lakers. It is said that the Sixers were tanking this season to improve their odds in the NBA Draft Lottery.
Cleveland Cavaliers, 26 Losses
Cleveland Cavaliers broke their earlier losing record in the 2010-2011 season, by having 26 losses in a row. They suffered this failure after LeBron James left the team and became a free agent, eventually signing with the Miami Heat. Without their star player, the Cavaliers didn’t even make the playoffs.
Philadelphia 76ers, 26 Losses
Philadelphia obviously got scared that their only record could be broken and they chased the Cavaliers, tying their losing streak with 26 lost games in a row. The 2013-2014 season was rough and again, it’s hard to find who’s to blame. And it’s definitely not the players! Philadelphia 76ers player, Michael Carter-Williams won the Rookie of the Year Award just to be transferred to Milwaukee Bucks, which can lead to a conclusion that the issue lies within the management.
Cleveland Cavaliers, 24 Losses
Cleveland Cavs’ losing arch lasted two seasons, with 19 consecutive losses in the 1981-82 season and 5 more in the 1982-83 season. It was not only the longest losing streak in NBA history at that time but they to this day have the lowest winning percentage in the Cavaliers franchise history.
Vancouver Grizzlies, 23 Loses
The 1995-1996 season was the first season ever for the Vancouver Grizzlies to play in the NBA, so their rather pitiful performance could have been predicted. They won their first two games but their beginner’s luck was exhausted when they went up against the Atlanta Hawks. Finally, after 23 losses, they won against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who had high school star Kevin Garnett on their team.
Denver Nuggets, 23 Loses
The ’90s were also hard for the Denver Nuggets. The 1997-1998 season provided them with a 23 games long losing streak, starting with a loss to the Detroit Pistons. The Denver Nuggets performance this year has the worst defensive rating in NBA history and many experts argue that 97′ Denver Nuggets are the worst team who ever played, from the beginning of the NBA.
Charlotte Bobcats, 23 Losses
Despite being owned by Michael Jordan, Charlotte Bobcats had nothing even close to their owner’s talent and skill. In the 2011-2012 season, they broke the record for the lowest winning percentage in the NBA with .106 and went on 23 games long losing streak.
NBA History
From the 50s, the NBA had a fair share of extremely talented players and perfect, winning combinations. Sometimes when one thing is slightly off, it can lead even the best team to failure. Don’t get me wrong, none of the teams mentioned above is the best but their losses are an opportunity to analyze and think about what makes a team great.
All of the NBA players are very athletic and go through strict training. Some of them can’t really spread their wings if they are surrounded by an inadequate group of people.
When it comes to the longest losing streaks, the phrase “the fish stinks from the head first” comes to mind. Poor performances, which were psychologically devastating for the players and the supporters, are mostly the result of poor management.
What’s the worst NBA record ever?
The Bobcats set the record for the worst NBA season ever, with a 7-41 record, after losing 104-84 to the New York Knicks on April 26, 2012.
