Every NBA team’s worst iteration ever

Chicago Bulls (1999-00, 17-65, -9.23 SRS)

The 1999-00 Chicago Bulls posted the worst SRS in franchise history (-9.23) and finished with 65 losses. The following year Chicago would “top” that with a 15-67 record. In those years though, there was hope. Elton Brand emerged as a potential building block and won a share of the Rookie of the Year. Ron Artest, Brad Miller, Jamal Crawford and a litany of other players started showing that there was light at the end of the Bulls tunnel.

In 1998-99, there was no light. Only darkness. While the Bulls finished with 17 wins, it was a far cry from the, oh, 62 they had won the year prior. And you know, the third straight NBA Championships and six titles in a decade. Michael Jordan was gone. Scottie Pippen was gone. Dennis Rodman was gone. Phil Jackson was gone. What was left was a rag-tag group of mediocre veterans coupled together with also rans and never-heard-ofs topped off with Toni Kukoc.

People around Chicago affectionately call this the “Kornel David-era” (they don’t). The 1998-99 Bulls finished 13-37 and while statistically not the worst Bulls team in franchise history, it was certainly the most depressing. They finished dead last in the league with a 92.4 OffRtg, the worst mark of any team in the offensive-depressed 90s and the second worst of all-time.

Kukoc was a lone bright spot on the team leading the Bulls in scoring, rebounding and assists. Only Kukoc, Brent Barry and 35-year-old Ron Harper scored in double figures. Dickey Simpkins started 35 games. On consecutive days, the Bulls lost to Detroit by 32 points (107-75) and Orlando by 46 (111-65).

As a team, Chicago shot 40% from the field, 28% from three and most pathetically, 70.9% from the free throw line.