Fansided

Every NBA team’s worst iteration ever

By Rich Kraetsch

BOSTON - NOVEMBER 20: Guard Chris Herren and coach Rick Pitino's expressions on the bench reflected their loss against the 76ers. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON - NOVEMBER 20: Guard Chris Herren and coach Rick Pitino's expressions on the bench reflected their loss against the 76ers. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – 1980: Head coach Del Harris and Robert Reid #50 of the Houston Rockets on the sideline during a game circa 1980 at The Summit in Houston, TX. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1980 NBAE (Photo by Andy Hayt/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – 1980: Head coach Del Harris and Robert Reid #50 of the Houston Rockets on the sideline during a game circa 1980 at The Summit in Houston, TX. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1980 NBAE (Photo by Andy Hayt/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Houston Rockets (1982-83, 14-68, -11.12 SRS)

Just two seasons after making a miracle NBA Finals run in 1980-81, the Houston Rockets fell on hard times finishing a league-worst 14-68.

Houston star Moses Malone was sent him in a sign and trade to the Philadelphia 76ers. Houston was worried they would no longer be able to afford Malone’s salary and parted ways with their dynamic scorer. With him went his 31.1 PPG scoring average. As you can probably assume, Houston struggled to score without Malone and fell to the bottom of the league in offense.

Moreover, Malone had led the team and league in rebounds and minutes while his league-leading 15.4 Win Shares left a huge void on the Rockets.

Allen Leavell, bless his soul, tried to pick up the scoring load left in Malone’s void but Allen Leavell ain’t Moses. Leavell led the team in scoring at 14.8 points per game.

That’s not good.

Caldwell Jones—who Houston acquired for Malone—was fine but he wasn’t Moses. Elvin Hayes, now 37-years-old, couldn’t possibly make up for Malone’s impact.

As a result, Houston tanked falling to the bottom of the league, missing the playoff for the first time in five years.

Del Harris, who had coached Houston to the finals just two years ago, was let go in favor of Bill Fitch. The losing did help Houston secure a top draft pick which they would use on University of Virginia big man Ralph Sampson.

Malone, of course, would join an already stacked 76ers team and win an NBA Title his first year in Philly.

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