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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PORTLAND, OR – JANUARY 13: Zach Randolph #50 of the Portland Trail Blazers waits to enter the game against the Orlando Magic on January 13, 2006 at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Oregon. The Trail Blazers won 113-108. 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. Manditory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2006 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – JANUARY 13: Zach Randolph #50 of the Portland Trail Blazers waits to enter the game against the Orlando Magic on January 13, 2006 at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Oregon. The Trail Blazers won 113-108. 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. Manditory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2006 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Portland Trail Blazers (2005-06, 21-61, -8.91 SRS)

Starting with their NBA championship season in 1976-77, Portland made the playoffs 26 out of 27 years. Along the way they made two additional NBA Finals berths and were a constant in the Western Conference Playoff picture. In 2003-04, the Blazers missed the playoffs for the first time since 1982. In 2004-05, Portland missed consecutive playoffs for the first time since 1975 and 1976.

Issues throughout the organization including Darius Miles arguing with head coach Maurice Cheeks, director of player-personnel Kevin Pritchard coaching the team for on an interim basis and a number of off-the-court issues with a team dubbed by many to be more “Jail Blazers” than “Trail Blazers”.

In 2005-06, the bottom finally fell out. Portland posted a league-worst 21-61 record and the season was mired in talks that owner Paul Allen would sell the team with the threat of franchise relocation being a real possibility.

On the court, things were also a disaster as Portland featured the NBA’s worst offense (101.1 points per 100 possessions) and a defense that ranked third worst in the league.

Zach Randolph led the team in scoring at just 18 points per game while their third leading scorer was Juan Dixon. Dixon was out of the league entirely just three years later. Talent was not plentiful on the Blazers. Only four players scored in double figures one of them was Juan Dixon, another was Ruben “Kobe Stopper” Patterson.

Things were bleak. Portland played a boring brand of basketball finished last in the league in Pace and issues with the team, front office and arena caused the once proud Portland fanbase to turn on the Blazers — they finished 2005-06 with the NBA’s lowest overall attendance. The team’s -8.91 SRS remains the worst in franchise history.

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