NBA: Pistons Losing Streak Nearing Pinnacle Of Infamy. Who’s More Infamous?
The Detroit Pistons have seemingly been rebuilding for the past 15 years. Since the end of the 2007-08 season, they have only made the playoffs 3 times. Never making it past the first round, in any of those 3 seasons. In 12 of the last 15 seasons they have had a lottery pick (top 15). Nine of those picks were in the top 10, including a #1 overall selection (2021: Cade Cunnigham). They are well on their way to having a chance at another #1 pick.
This season started off with a win in 2 out of their first 3 games. Since then, opponents have made them “Hold that L” 23 times in a row. That puts them in a 4-way tie for fourth on the all-time list. As of right now, they are a mere 5 losses away, from tying the record. Only two teams have a longer losing streak.
Let’s take a look at the two teams more infamous than this year’s Pistons.
2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers, 26 straight losses (Dec. 20, 2010-Feb. 11, 2011)
This was the Cavaliers first season sans Lebron since 2003-04. Just a season earlier they went 61-21, finishing 1st in the Eastern Conference. Making it to the Semifinals before being ousted by the Boston Celtics. That summer, “The King” took his talents to South Beach to team up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The roster itself didn’t change much other than that. But, there was no doubt Lebron was the only good thing that team had going. Well, maybe besides a 37-year old Shaquille O’Neal.
Their last win before the losing streak came in OT against the Knicks, 109-102. Their record sat at 8-19, well below .500. It was all downhill from there. For the next almost two months, there were no W’s next to their name. There was no coming back from that abysmal run. It put their record at 8-45, and with under 30 games to go, all hope was lost for any chance at the playoffs. They finished the season 19-63.
2015 Philadelphia 76ers, 28 straight losses (March 27, 2015-Dec. 1, 2015)
The 2014-15 76ers, finished the season with 10 straight losses, and a record of 18-64. Landing them with the #3 overall pick. They selected C Jahlil Okafor out of Duke, thinking he would help right the ship. Well, they were wrong. As they started the 2015-16 season off with 18 straight losses. It didn’t help that 2014 #1 pick Joel Embiid was still out with a foot injury, that kept him on the sidelines for two years. But it wasn’t their only problem. They were second-to-last in PPG for both the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons.
The latter of the two seasons, ended even worse than the former. They ended the season an atrocious 10-72. To add insult to injury, that team sits at #2 for the most losses ever in an NBA season.
Will the Pistons turn out worse than either of the above mentioned teams? It sure seems like it. With the 6th strongest schedule ahead of them, it doesn’t spell good things for the Motown boys.