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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Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over Trey Lyles #41 of the Utah Jazz during the final game of his career on April 13, 2016 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over Trey Lyles #41 of the Utah Jazz during the final game of his career on April 13, 2016 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Lakers (2015-16, 17-65, -8.92 SRS)

Finding failure in one of the sport’s most heralded franchise is no easy task.

However, recent history has not been kind. The Lakers franchise has only missed the playoffs 10 times in their 70 year history but five of those have come in the last five seasons.

The leanest it got in Los Angeles was 2015-16 when the Lakers posted a franchise-worst -8.92 SRS, record-low 17 wins and a pathetic 20.7 win percentage.

This lost Lakers season seemed to focus more on franchise legend Kobe Bryant’s send off into retirement than winning or developing future Lakers stars. Bryant— who led the team in scoring despite shooting 35.8 percent from the field—was showered with gifts and pageantry at every NBA arena across the country on his retirement tour.

Lost in BryantMania was a team still trying to coalse under young players D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson. There wasn’t much coalsing going on. Los Angeles started the year on a four-game losing streak and would continue their losing ways carrying a 11-44 mark at the All-Star Break. The Lakers struggles were exemplified by a horrid 10-game losing streak in January.

Los Angeles’ roster was an odd collection of broken down talents, young players trying to prove themselves, Bryant and oh yeah, Metta World Peace who was brought back to the team after being out of the NBA for a year. Roy Hibbert, once a dominant big man in Indiana, was no help.

The Lake Show couldn’t score and couldn’t defend en route to the franchise-worst finish. In a perfect representation of their season and his career, Bryant rode off into the sunset with a 60-point (22-50 shooting) performance in a victory over the Utah Jazz. Bryant attempted 21 (!) 3s in the game and somehow managed to also grab four assists along the way.

After the season, Bryant retired while head coach and former Lakers star Byron Scott was relieved of his duties.

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