Last night, the New Jersey Nets beat the San Antonio Spurs to clinch their 10th win of the season to prevent tying the NBA's worst record in it's history by the 1972-1973 Philadelphia 76ers at 9-73.
For Nets fans it was a relief that their team will not be mentioned as the worst of all-time and will only have to share one of the worst marks in NBA history with the Los Angeles Clippers/any incarnation of the Grizzlies/Dallas Mavericks.
However, they spoiled a chance at a record that most people thought was impossible to even get to. For non-NBA fans, most teams average between 28-35 wins per season which makes it almost impossible to even get close to a single digit winning season. Most of you are probably asking, why is it so tough to lose that many games? Well, there are some games you win based on luck, your teammates putting in the effort, and due to the grueling/massive schedule of the NBA. That's why there have only been a handful of teams to even sniff single-digit wins.
The Nets were that one team that had a chance to break that record due to their injuries, front-office turnovers, and mediocre bench. The Nets had a possible legacy moment that would have be remembered forever. Well, that's now gone and they will be forgetten for having a terrible season.
There isn't even a positive for the Nets to gain a couple of wins since due to the NBA Lottery, the Nets are not even guaranteed of the overall #1 pick. If you going to be one of the worst of all-time, you have to gain something out of it.
I have some sinking suspicion that the basketball gods might not look favorably on the Nets with winning their 10th game of the season with a shot at immortality on the line.
(You can start printing your "John Wall 2010" t-shirts Minnesota Timberwolves Fans. You are going to win the 2010 NBA Draft Lottery! Now you can have a trio of young point guards to play next season.)
In the end, the Nets are losers even when they win.