10 Worst NBA Franchises Since 2000
By Jason McIntyre
10. Portland Trailblazers – A team you probably didn’t expect to see on this list. But they haven’t won a playoff series since the 2000 playoffs (0-6). You may remember the moment: Portland blew a 15-point 4th quarter lead on the road in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, and the Lakers advanced. The franchise has never recovered.
9. LA Clippers – Despite the club’s recent popularity (Blake Griffin! CP3! Lob City!) Donald Sterling’s Clippers have been a disaster over the last 12 seasons. Only two trips to the playoffs (06, 12; but won a series each time), and two seasons over .500. Probably should have knocked them down a few pegs for having Donald Sterling.
7. Washington Wizards – In the middle of the 00s, they had a nice run with Gilbert Arenas, but that only resulted in one playoff series win (2004-2005). Everything besides that solid 4-year stretch from 05-08? Yuck. Absolute disaster on multiple levels. Two words: Kwame Brown.
6. Milwaukee Bucks – No playoff series victories since 2001, when Glenn Robinson, Sam Cassell and Ray Allen lost in Game 7 of the Conference Finals to Allen Iverson’s 76ers. Since then? 0-4 in the first round. Finished above .500 just once since 2002-2003. Still kicking themselves for drafting Andrew Bogut over Deron Williams and Chris Paul.
5. Golden State Warriors – If not for the magical 2007 postseason – when they shocked top-seeded Dallas – the Warriors might be No. 1 on this list. Going back to 1995, the Warriors have finished above .500 … twice! Happened in 2007 and 2008. That’s rotten. Wanna cringe at their draft history? Ike Diogu. Patrick O’Bryant. Ekpe Udou.
4. Toronto Raptors – Last won a playoff series in 2001 (2nd longest drought in the NBA). But at least they’ve been to the playoffs recently (2007, 2008). Guess they miss Chris Bosh, huh?
3. Charlotte Bobcats – Since joining the league in 2004, they don’t have a playoff victory (swept in 2010 by the Magic), so surely some will say they should top this list. What helps that argument: last year’s 7-59 mark. Only been above .500 once in eight seasons. Hideously bad, indeed. Note: Yes, Michael Jordan is tied to two of the Top 7 teams.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves – Bumbling, inept franchise (Darko!) should be a contender for the playoffs next season with Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love. But the Wolves have been garbage since Kevin Garnett left. Last year over .500? Way back in 2004-2005. Last playoff series win? In 2003-2004 (lost in the conference finals to the Lakers).
1. New York Knicks – Last playoff series win? That came all the way back in the 1999-2000. Longest drought in the NBA. Let it sink in: the Knicks have gone 12 years without winning a playoff series. Postseason record in that span? Three wins, 15 losses. One word currently describe this mess: Futility. James Dolan, you’re a contender for worst owner in sports. Isiah Thomas, Stephen Marbury, Jerome James, Jared Jeffries, Eddy Curry … I’m off to induce vomiting.