This article was initially revealed on June 12, 2020.
Most of us affiliate sporting data with glory-filled moments resembling Usain Bolt shattering the 100-metre report, the Golden State Warriors going 71-9, or this guy demolishing 74 hotdogs in 10 minutes.
And whereas data like these include a certain quantity of status, others are finest forgotten by those that set them.
The NBA is full of embarrassing and dishonourable data, and with out beating across the bush any additional, here’s a checklist of the worst ones:
MOST FREE-THROWS MISSED IN A GAME
23 – ANDRE DRUMMOND (2015-16)
If you suppose watching the Rockets is unhealthy, think about watching their iso recreation at one finish and Andre Drummond lacking limitless free-throws on the different.
Drummond was deliberately fouled a daft 21 occasions when Detroit performed Houston in January 2016.
The hack-a-Drummond tactic in the end proved fruitless for each events – with Drummond unable to hit any greater than 13 of his 36 makes an attempt and the Rockets unable to win the sport.
MOST FIELD GOALS MISSED IN A GAME
42 – JOE FULKS (1947-1948)
Joe Fulks was capturing his shot 70-odd years earlier than that was even a phrase.
On his record-breaking evening, Fulks missed 42 of his 55 area aim makes an attempt.
His Philadelphia Warriors have been crushing the Providence Steamrollers and contemplating this was nicely earlier than the times of load administration, the two-time All-Star threw warning to the wind and simply continued launching pictures.
It’s value noting that capturing stats of this nature weren’t overly unusual in these days.
Fulks additionally had nights the place he shot 4-31, 6-38, 5-31, 7-36, 7-40 and 8-46.
MOST THREE POINTERS MISSED IN A GAME
16 – DAMON STOUDEMIRE AND JAMES HARDEN (2004-05, 2017-18, 2018-19)
Most gamers turn into hesitant to shoot after lacking a boatload of pictures, however that half of James Harden’s mind seems to be lacking.
Harden has missed a report 16 threes in a recreation on six events.
That stretch included a really egregious 1-17 three-point capturing efficiency in a loss to Orlando, though Harden by some means nonetheless completed with 38 factors, 12 assists and 9 rebounds on that event (basic Harden).
The solely different participant to overlook that many triples in a recreation was Damon Stoudemire, who did so as soon as in 2005 whereas enjoying for the Portland Trail Blazers.
That was an particularly wild feat again in 2005, when complete groups solely tried about 16 threes per recreation on common.
MOST FREE-THROWS MISSED IN A GAME WITHOUT A MAKE
11 – SHAQUILLE O’NEAL (2000-01)
Good God, avert your eyes in case you have an simply upset abdomen.
MOST FIELD GOALS MISSED IN A GAME WITHOUT A MAKE
17 – TIM HARDAWAY SR. (1991-92)
Certified All-Star Tim Hardaway going 0-17 from the sphere one evening in 1991 is proof that chilly streaks occur to the most effective of us.
MOST THREE-POINTERS MISSED IN A GAME WITHOUT A MAKE
12 – BROOK LOPEZ (2018-19)
Sometimes it’s simply not your evening.
Brook Lopez can actually attest to that, having shot 0-12 from deep in opposition to the Suns final season.
And simply to rub salt into Lopez’s wounds, the Bucks misplaced by two.
MOST CONSECUTIVE FREE-THROWS MISSED IN A GAME
13 – CHRIS DUDLEY (1989-90)
Chris Dudley, who you most likely know because the man on the receiving finish of this nasty Shaq posterizer, was a notoriously unreliable free throw shooter and he took issues to the subsequent stage when he missed 13 straight from the road on April 14, 1990.
Dudley has since gone down because the second-worst free-throw shooter ever in phrases of share.
WORST FREE-THROW PERCENTAGE IN A GAME (TEAM)
18% – DETROIT PISTONS (2016-17)
How’s this for a depressing evening:
Pistons free throw capturing tonight
❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌✅❌✅✅❌❌3-17 (18%) – worst in NBA historical past (minimal 10 makes an attempt)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 2, 2017
Not solely did Andre Drummond shoot 1-10 from the road in opposition to the Pelicans on March 1 2017, he additionally contributed to the Pistons’ record-breaking 18 % free-throw capturing within the course of and bought himself ejected simply to prime it off.
WORST FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE IN A GAME (TEAM) & LOWEST SCORE
23.4% – CHICAGO BULLS (1998-99)
49 POINTS – CHICAGO BULLS (1998-99)
The precise lowest-scoring recreation of all-time was when the Fort Wayne Pistons beat the Minneapolis Lakers 19-18 in 1950.
But that was (a) fairly a very long time in the past, and (b) deeply cooked, so we’re altering the parameters of this one to the three-point line period (1979-80 onwards).
In that interval, nobody shat the mattress more durable than the Bulls, who scored a record-low 49 factors in a 33-point loss to the Heat of their first season after Michael Jordan left Chicago good.
The Bulls shot 18-77 from the sphere that evening, together with 0-9 from three, additionally setting the fashionable period report for the worst single-game area aim share at 23.4 %.
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A number of years later, the Spurs got here extremely near beating that report once they shot a equally appalling 23.9 % in opposition to Toronto in February 2002.
Incredibly, that was nonetheless sufficient to power extra time in opposition to the Raptors, who have been additionally struggling mightily with 33 % capturing.
Toronto ultimately received by six, with the scoreboard studying 80-74 after 53 minutes of really depressing basketball.
MOST THREE-POINTERS MISSED IN A GAME WITHOUT A MAKE (TEAM)
22 – DENVER NUGGETS (2012-13)
The 2012-13 Denver Nuggets had the power to get red-hot immediately, and infrequently did.
Most memorably, JR Smith hit 11 threes in a recreation and Ty Lawson as soon as made 10 consecutive threes, an NBA report to at the present time.
But on one particularly forgettable evening, this Denver squad went ice-cold. When the Nuggets performed the Blazers in December 2012, they missed all 22 of their three-point makes an attempt.
It was a borderline miracle that they solely misplaced by eight.
WORST CAREER FREE-THROW PERCENTAGE
41.4% – BEN WALLACE
Ben Wallace is definitely one of the best defenders ever, however placing the ball within the basket was by no means his forte, particularly when he was standing behind the free-throw line.
Wallace’s finest season from the charity stripe noticed him hit at 49 %, and in his worst season he made simply 30 %.
WORST CAREER FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE
27.2% – JOHN MAHNKEN
The worst area aim shooter of all-time to fulfill Basketball Reference’s minimal standards is John Mahnken, who managed to hit simply 27.2 % of his 3557 area aim makes an attempt in a profession which spanned from 1946 to 1953.
Marcus Smart is the worst area aim shooter amongst as we speak’s gamers, and the one present participant to rank among the many 100 worst area aim shooters of all-time, with a strike fee of 37.4 %.
WORST CAREER THREE-POINT PERCENTAGE
26.6% – CHARLES BARKLEY
Charles Barkley says no matter he desires with out considering twice, and again in his enjoying days, he took an analogous method to capturing.
While the absence of overthinking comes with many advantages, that mentality additionally cemented Barkley’s place within the historical past books because the worst three-point shooter ever (not less than amongst gamers to try an honest quantity of them).
Barkley shot at 26.6 % from behind the arc throughout his profession, making him the one participant to ever shoot greater than 2,000 threes at a sub 30 % fee.
MOST CONSECUTIVE FIELD GOALS MISSED IN A GAME (TEAM)
24 – OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (2016-17)
You most likely received’t be shocked to be taught that Russell Westbrook was closely concerned on this specific crime in opposition to basketball.
MOST CONSECUTIVE THREE-POINTERS MISSED (TEAM)
27 – HOUSTON ROCKETS (2017-18)
It’s lengthy been stated that Houston lives and dies by the three-ball, and in Game 7 of the 2018 Western Conference Finals, they died a horrible, horrible demise.
The Rockets’ 27 consecutive three-point misses not solely landed them within the report books, it additionally turned a 54-43 half-time lead right into a 101-92 loss and crushed their goals of lastly overcoming the Warriors and making it to the NBA Finals.
James Harden (2-13), Eric Gordon (2-12) and Trevor Ariza (0-9) have been the worst offenders, capturing a mixed 4-34 from lengthy vary.
FEWEST FIELD GOALS MADE IN A GAME (TEAM)
16 – ORLANDO MAGIC (2011-12)
The subsequent time your staff is struggling, simply bear in mind it could possibly be worse: they could possibly be the 2011-12 Orlando Magic.
During a January matchup with Boston, Orlando completed the evening with a record-low 16 area objectives from 65 makes an attempt on their option to a hideous 87-56 loss.
The Magic have been nonetheless a playoff staff on the time, however on that specific evening, they utterly forgot how you can play basketball.
BIGGEST HALF-TIME DEFICIT
47 POINTS (88-41) – SACRAMENTO KINGS (1991-92)
This savage beatdown was courtesy of the Golden State Warriors, who nonetheless had two-thirds of their ‘Run TMC’ trio in Tim Hardaway and Chris Mullin.
Interestingly, the opposite member of that Big 3, Mitch Richmond, had left Golden State for Sacramento, the victims of this brutal ass-kicking (though he didn’t play that evening).
The Warriors by no means took their foot off the gasoline and went on to win 153-91.
SHORTEST NBA CAREER
4 SECONDS – JAMESON CURRY (2009-10)
JamesOn Curry’s NBA profession began and ended with a 10-day contract with the Clippers in 2009-10.
In that point, Curry performed a grand whole of 4 seconds after being subbed in through the dying seconds of a loss to Boston on January 25, 2010.
Unsurprisingly, Curry didn’t register a single statistic throughout his fleeting time within the solar.
MOST MINUTES PLAYED WITHOUT SCORING
28 MINUTES, 46 SECONDS – JOEL ANTHONY (2010-11)
Welcome to Club Trillion.
As a lot as that may sound like an overpriced nightclub, Club Trillion is in truth a time period coined by former Ohio State walk-on Mark Titus in reference to when a participant subs right into a recreation however doesn’t report any statistics in anyway, ensuing of their field rating studying one minute performed adopted by a string of zeros (the quantity of enjoying time doesn’t really must be one minute, it simply helps with the catchy title).
The man who had the dishonour of being named president of this membership was Joel Anthony, who performed a report 28 minutes and 46 seconds for Miami in opposition to Portland on January 9 2011 with out registering a single level, rebound, help, steal or block.
Tony Snell got here agonisingly near beating Anthony’s report through the 2017-18 season, however fell 21 seconds quick.
“If you come at the king, you best not miss,” Anthony didn’t say on the time.
FASTEST PLAYER TO FOUL OUT
2 MINUTES, 43 SECONDS – BUBBA WELLS (1997-98)
When Dallas performed Chicago part-way via the 1997-98 season, Mavs coach Don Nelson was decided to hack Dennis Rodman to items and ship him to the road as many occasions as potential.
Nelson was so decided, in truth, that he subbed in sacrificial lamb Bubba Wells – who solely ever performed 39 NBA video games – with the only intention of utilizing him to deliberately foul Rodman.
To Wells’ credit score, he was extremely environment friendly in finishing up the hit, utilizing all six of his fouls in 2 minutes and 43 seconds.
MOST TECHNICAL FOULS IN A SEASON
41 – RASHEED WALLACE (2000-01)
Not many issues come extra naturally to Rasheed Wallace than selecting up technical fouls.
Never was that extra evident than through the 2000-01 season, when Wallace picked up 41 technicals in 80 video games.
Such a feat isn’t even potential in as we speak’s recreation as a result of present league guidelines state that when a participant accumulates 16 technicals in a season, he can be suspended for one recreation with out pay and one other recreation for each technical after that.
MOST CAREER TECHNICAL FOULS
332 – KARL MALONE
While Rasheed Wallace had the GOAT season in phrases of technicals, Karl Malone is the all-time chief.
For reference, right here is the all-time prime 5:
- Karl Malone: 332
- Charles Barkley: 329
- Rasheed Wallace: 317
- Gary Payton: 250
- Dennis Rodman: 212
And right here’s how these guys rank in phrases of technicals per recreation:
- Charles Barkley: 0.28
- Rasheed Wallace: 0.25
- Karl Malone: 0.20
- Dennis Rodman: 0.19
- Gary Payton: 0.17
MOST TURNOVERS IN A GAME
14 – JASON KIDD (2000-01)
When you’re as hellbent on distributing the rock as Jason Kidd, you’re certain to have a number of turnover-riddled nights.
Kidd threw a whopping 14 turnovers in an early-season matchup with the Knicks throughout his remaining 12 months with the Suns in 2000-01.
The excellent news was he nonetheless completed with a triple-double, racking up 18 factors, 12 rebounds and 10 assists (name it a quadruple-double if you wish to embody the turnovers).
MOST TURNOVERS IN A SEASON
464 – JAMES HARDEN (2016-17)
While most groups typically goal to maintain their turnovers to about 10 every evening, James Harden bought greater than midway there by himself when he averaged a staggering 5.7 turnovers per recreation in 2016-17 and completed the season with 464 in whole.
MOST TURNOVERS IN A GAME (TEAM)
40 – SAN ANTONIO SPURS (1988-89)
It’s laborious to think about a horrible San Antonio staff ever current, however make no mistake, the 1988-89 Spurs have been absolute ass.
They proved that past a shadow of a doubt once they turned the ball over a report 40 occasions – nearly one turnover each minute! – in a 133-96 beatdown by the hands of the Golden State Warriors.
No staff has even come inside 10 turnovers of the Spurs’ report up to now 15 years.
MOST TURNOVERS IN A SEASON (TEAM)
2,011 – DENVER NUGGETS (1976-77)
Only one staff has ever dedicated greater than 2,000 turnovers in a season: the 1976-77 Denver Nuggets.
It was a feat as wild as their emblem on the time:
These guys dedicated 24.5 turnovers per recreation that season.
For reference, that’s twice as many as final season’s most turnover adversarial groups.
Incredibly, this outrageously wasteful Nuggets staff nonetheless completed the common season with a 50-32 report and made it to the second spherical of the playoffs.
While they did commit a rare quantity of turnovers, they have been additionally the most effective defensive staff within the league and managed to keep up a top-seven offence regardless of seemingly giving the ball to the opposite staff at each out there alternative.
LONGEST LOSING STREAK
26 – CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (2010-11) & PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (2013-14)
Very few groups have ever been as miserable because the post-LeBron Cavaliers in 2010-11 and the process-trusting 76ers in 2013-14.
Hell, 34-year-old Antawn Jamison was the main scorer on that Cavs staff, whereas Thaddeus Young and Evan Turner have been Philly’s most prolific bucket-getters.
Both groups nonetheless nicely and really prevented the worst win-loss report of all-time, however pricey God these have been some horrendous shedding streaks.
WORST REGULAR SEASON RECORD
7-59 – CHARLOTTE BOBCATS (2011-12)
Almost every part in regards to the Charlotte Bobcats was terrible: the jerseys, the courtroom, the empty area, possession, administration, you title it.
But the Bobcats actually cemented their place among the many worst franchises ever with their traditionally unhealthy 7-59 season in 2011-12.
That lockout-shortened season robbed the Bobcats of the chance the acquire essentially the most losses of all-time – a dishonour which stays with the 9-73 76ers of 1973 – however they did handle to safe the worst ever profitable share.
LOWEST SCORING QUARTER (TEAM)
2 POINTS – DALLAS MAVERICKS (1996-97) & GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (2003-04)
Full credit score to each participant concerned for not quitting basketball instantly after these atrocities occurred.
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