The NBA Lockout May Have Robbed Us of Seeing History

Whether we like to admit it or not, we are a culture that enjoys train wrecks and disasters.  There's a reason Fox has aired 42 editions of 'When Animals Attack' and has yet to create even one edition of 'When Bees Pollinate.'

In sports, we love watching records being broken or greatness being achieved.  Some of us also enjoy observing teams and individuals strive for futility.  I was on the edge of my seat in 2003 when the Tigers came oh so close to eclipsing the '62 Mets 42-160 record.  Detroit had to ruin it by winning five of their last six games to finish the season one win ahead of the Mets.

I was there five years later when the Lions were vying to become the first NFL team to go 0-16.  Despite a close call against Green Bay in week 17, the Lions were able to achieve what their baseball playing brethren could not, HISTORY!!!

The hallmark for ineptitude in the NBA is the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers.  That team went 9-73.  A handful of teams have come close, but no other team has finished an 82 game season with less than 10 wins.

I believe the 2011-12 Charlotte Bobcats could have set the 82 game record for futility.  Through 60 games in a 66 game season they have a sterling record of 7-53.  Their best player is NBA journeyman Corey Maggette.  The 'Cats have had two impressive losing streaks of 16 games and their current streak of 17 games.

With six games remaining, I see only two possible wins on the horizon.  Charlotte gets Sacramento and Washington in back to back nights, but even those bottom feeders are a tall task for this terrible team.

It's possible that in a full 82 game season this team may have eked out 11 or 12 wins, but sadly we'll never know!  The lockout robbed us of an opportunity to witness history.  The stars will really have to align properly for us to ever see a crappier collection of talent (or lack thereof).  With a likely number one pick, the Bobcats will grab Kentucky's Anthony Davis and win at least 15-20 games next season.

Even if the records books can't make it official, I'm ready to declare the 2011 Charlotte Bobcats the worst team in NBA history!