Like in any competition, success in the NBA takes a certain level of chance. Yes, many variables affect a team's performance in the long run, but at the end of the day, you also need Lady Luck on your side.
However, the five teams listed below did not experience this. In reality, the opposite happened to them, and their sad stories were sufficient to earn them a place among the unluckiest teams in NBA history.
However, the five teams listed below did not experience this. In reality, the opposite happened to them, and their sad stories were sufficient to earn them a place among the unluckiest teams in NBA history.
Charlotte Bobcats: The 2012 NBA Draft
Ever wonder which NBA team has the worst record in a single season? So stop wondering because the answer is right here. With only seven victories and 59 losses in the 2010–11 season, it's the Charlotte Bobcats. No, there was no typo there.
When the following season's draft rolled around, the Bobcats had a real chance to salvage their organization after a terribly disastrous season. They were the worst squad the previous season and so had a 25.0% chance of nabbing the first pick. Anthony Davis, who was unquestionably a prospect capable of changing a franchise, was the prize up for grabs.
When the following season's draft rolled around, the Bobcats had a real chance to salvage their organization after a terribly disastrous season. They were the worst squad the previous season and so had a 25.0% chance of nabbing the first pick. Anthony Davis, who was unquestionably a prospect capable of changing a franchise, was the prize up for grabs.
As luck would have it, the New Orleans Hornets, who had a 13.7% chance of winning the first pick and consequently Anthony Davis, beat the Charlotte Bobcats to the top overall pick in the lottery.
Even worse, Charlotte passed on players like Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal, and Andre Drummond in the draft to choose Michael Kidd-Gilchrist as the second overall choice. Kidd-Gilchrist played seven underwhelming seasons for Charlotte and is now out of the league altogether.
Even worse, Charlotte passed on players like Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal, and Andre Drummond in the draft to choose Michael Kidd-Gilchrist as the second overall choice. Kidd-Gilchrist played seven underwhelming seasons for Charlotte and is now out of the league altogether.
Portland Trail Blazers: Greg Oden, Brandon Roy Injuries
The Portland Trail Blazers were once close to being a dynasty. Or at least that was the case until several unanticipated and serious injuries impeded the situation.
LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy, who Portland chose second and sixth overall in the 2006 draft respectively, served as the catalyst for the entire process. The Blazers then utilized their next-season high lottery pick, the number-one pick in fact, to select Greg Oden, a 7-foot center.
LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy, who Portland chose second and sixth overall in the 2006 draft respectively, served as the catalyst for the entire process. The Blazers then utilized their next-season high lottery pick, the number-one pick in fact, to select Greg Oden, a 7-foot center.
Roy had already made three All-Star appearances as one of the league's top players by the end of his fourth season. On the other side, Aldridge cemented his status as one of the NBA's most promising young big men. In contrast, Oden never really got going. The main reason the former Ohio State star could not live up to the lofty expectations people had for him was knee issues.
Roy himself similarly experienced a knee ailment in 2010 that ended his career and ultimately necessitated arthroscopic surgery on both knees. That was the beginning of Roy's professional demise because he was forced to retire two years later at just 27.
Oden had it worse, as he only participated in 82 games for Portland over three years.
This group of players participated in just 62 games collectively, for some context. 52-10 is their record throughout this short period.
Roy himself similarly experienced a knee ailment in 2010 that ended his career and ultimately necessitated arthroscopic surgery on both knees. That was the beginning of Roy's professional demise because he was forced to retire two years later at just 27.
Oden had it worse, as he only participated in 82 games for Portland over three years.
This group of players participated in just 62 games collectively, for some context. 52-10 is their record throughout this short period.
Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose’s Knees
Few injuries were as bad as Derrick Rose's, which was truly awful.
Rose was only 22 years old when he received the prized title in 2011 and was the MVP's youngest recipient ever. The Bulls had previously made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals in Rose's third season in the league, so it goes without saying that the possibilities were endless for Rose and the Bulls. Unfortunately, the dynamic point guard's knees proved to be his physical limitations.
Rose tore his ACL in the opening round of the playoffs the following season, months after the Bulls blew a hefty $94.8 million on a new contract for him. He had surgery to fix the injury, resulting in him being sidelined for the following season.
Rose was only 22 years old when he received the prized title in 2011 and was the MVP's youngest recipient ever. The Bulls had previously made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals in Rose's third season in the league, so it goes without saying that the possibilities were endless for Rose and the Bulls. Unfortunately, the dynamic point guard's knees proved to be his physical limitations.
Rose tore his ACL in the opening round of the playoffs the following season, months after the Bulls blew a hefty $94.8 million on a new contract for him. He had surgery to fix the injury, resulting in him being sidelined for the following season.
However, that was not the end of it. In the 2013–14 season, the former first overall choice made his eagerly anticipated comeback, but regrettably, it would only last for 10 games. In the end, Rose tore the meniscus in his right knee, necessitating season-ending surgery.
Rose made a comeback the next season, but he had changed forever. In 2016, the Bulls traded him to the New York Knicks, and he eventually ended his relationship with Chicago.
Rose made a comeback the next season, but he had changed forever. In 2016, the Bulls traded him to the New York Knicks, and he eventually ended his relationship with Chicago.
Boston Celtics: Len Bias and Reggie Lewis's Deaths
This situation is more of a tragedy than a stroke of poor luck. However, it cannot be denied that the passings of Len Bias and Reggie Lewis, who occurred seven years apart, severely hampered the Celtics organization.
Len Bias was a fantastic talent out of Maryland, who the Celtics selected with their second overall pick in 1986 with the expectation that he would become the team's next cornerstone superstar in the post-Larry Bird era. Bias celebrated his promotion to the major leagues just a few days later, but before he had even played a single game for Boston, he passed away following a serious substance abuse binge.
Len Bias was a fantastic talent out of Maryland, who the Celtics selected with their second overall pick in 1986 with the expectation that he would become the team's next cornerstone superstar in the post-Larry Bird era. Bias celebrated his promotion to the major leagues just a few days later, but before he had even played a single game for Boston, he passed away following a serious substance abuse binge.
Seven years later, the unfortunate Celtics would experience another incident. 6-foot-7 All-Star swingman Reggie Lewis passed out on the court during a playoff game. His major cardiac problem was eventually discovered, but doctors said he could still play basketball. A few months after his collapse, on July 7, 1993, Lewis passed away from a fatal heart attack while working out in the off-season. He was 27.
One death is awful enough, but it is unthinkable for this to happen to the same team again.
One death is awful enough, but it is unthinkable for this to happen to the same team again.
Portland Trail Blazers: The 1984 NBA Draft
Many people rank the 1984 NBA Draft as having one of the strongest draft classes in history. Unfortunately, the Blazers had no luck whatsoever that historic evening.
Portland's woes actually began well before the actual draft night. There was no lottery at the time, so the two worst teams in each conference tossed a coin to determine who would get the first overall choice. The teams in question that year were the Houston Rockets in the West, and the Indiana Pacers in the East, whose draft rights the Blazers had previously acquired in a prior transaction. The Rockets could select Hakeem Olajuwon first by lucking out and winning the coin toss. Sam Bowie, the second-best big man in the draft, was the player the Rockets had to settle for. We all know who the third overall pick of the Chicago Bulls was, right? An unknown athlete called Micheal Jordan.
Portland's woes actually began well before the actual draft night. There was no lottery at the time, so the two worst teams in each conference tossed a coin to determine who would get the first overall choice. The teams in question that year were the Houston Rockets in the West, and the Indiana Pacers in the East, whose draft rights the Blazers had previously acquired in a prior transaction. The Rockets could select Hakeem Olajuwon first by lucking out and winning the coin toss. Sam Bowie, the second-best big man in the draft, was the player the Rockets had to settle for. We all know who the third overall pick of the Chicago Bulls was, right? An unknown athlete called Micheal Jordan.
As a result, the Blazers passed on the GOAT in that fateful draft, in addition to losing out on their first choice, Olajuwon. Speak of bad luck.