It is never a good sign when you are projected to lose all 82 games in a season. As ridiculous as that may sound, that was the prognosis faced by the Philadelphia 76ers before they won their first game of the season Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. After starting 0-17, the 76ers were one loss away from tying the worst start in NBA history, which will stand in infamy with the New Jersey Nets of 2009-10. While they may have avoided that mark, the question still must be asked: Are the 2014-15 Philadelphia 76ers the worst team ever?
Before analyzing the 76ers, let’s first take a look at the previous worst teams in NBA history. In terms of win percentage, that dubious honor goes to the 2011-2012 Charlotte Bobcats. The Bobcats went 7-59 in a lockout-shortened season, for a percentage of only .106. Charlotte was one of five teams to have a single-digit win season, joining the 1947-1948 Providence Steam Rollers (6-42), the 1998-99 Vancouver Grizzlies (8-42), the 1998-99 Los Angeles Clippers (9-41), and the 1972-73…Philadelphia 76ers, who previously held the record for worst team ever with a record of 9-73.
Some other teams have come close to matching this feat of futility. Over the course of a full 82-game season, only those ’72-73 Sixers had a single-digit winning season. The 1992-93 Mavericks and 1997-98 Nuggets had 11, while the 1986-87 Clippers and the aforementioned ’09-10 Nets had 12. The Nets looked like they would break the record until a late-season charge pushed them over the record-setting mark. By all accounts, though, this 76ers team might just be the worst team ever.
Let’s go back to the fact that the Sixers, after only a handful of games, were not favored in ANY of their remaining games in the entire season. This is no small feat. This means the 76ers are so bad, they were literally not expected to win a single game over the course of an 82-game season. Of course, they ultimately pulled it off (on the road, no less) to get in the win column, but they did so as underdogs. Philadelphia has taken tanking to a new level. It is difficult to believe they expected to be this bad, but the team has such a talent deficiency that they have played their hardest and still lost 17 out of 18 games.
Looking at the roster, it is honestly no surprise they have lost so many games. While they have been close in a handful of these contests, the talent more likely resembles that of a D-League team than an NBA squad. However ridiculous the claim, many wondered if the Kentucky Wildcats could beat them (no, they would not) and actually debated it. They currently have 10 players with less than two years of experience on the roster, and their most veteran pro, Jason Richardson, has not played yet this season. The only other player with more than two years of experience is Luc Mbah a Moute, who has done nothing of significance in his six year career.
With six rookies on the team, and guys like Hollis Thompson and Tony Wroten leading the way, it is easy to see why they have struggled so far. The rookie of the year, Michael Carter-Williams, has struggled so far, shooting only 36% from the floor and averaging over four turnovers per game. They are the worst three-point shooting and free-throw shooting team in the NBA, and are second to last in field goals made and field goal percentage as well. Having Richardson back should help, but quite simply, this team cannot score at a consistent rate.
There are many games to be played in the young season, but as it stands, the Philadelphia 76ers are on pace to be the worst team in NBA history. Their win Wednesday was the team’s first win in over seven months. Their win percentage right now is a paltry .056. They may win a few more games, but given their current roster and lack of confidence or talent, this team has a long way to go to avoid becoming the worst team ever.