Fear the Nets

The Los Angeles Lakers are 32-9, the Cleveland Cavaliers are 31-11 and the Boston Celtics are 27-12, but the scariest team to play in the NBA might be the 3-37 New Jersey Nets.

There is no disgrace in losing to the Lakers, Cavs or Celtics, but there is great disgrace losing to the Nets.

The first half of last year, folks wondered if the Oklahoma City Thunder might set an NBA record for futility. The Thunder started out 3-29 before closing with a 20-30 record to end up at 23-59.

This season, the New Jersey Nets are struggling like no pro team has ever struggled. With Monday afternoon’s loss against the Los Angeles Clippers, the Nets have now lost eight straight, they’re 24.5 games out of first place and 15.5 wins shy of the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They are 2-17 at home and 1-20 on the road.

Spurred by the worst record ever to start a season (0-18), the Nets have a winning percentage of .075, which in turn translate to a losing percentage .925.

The worst 82-game record of all-time belongs to the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers, who finished 9-73 (.110). The Nets are on pace to end up 6-76.

Not only does the pressure mount for the Nets to win, it also builds for their opponent. Yes, the Nets will take some serious grief if they set the league record for futility, but so will opponents that lost to the worst team in NBA history.

So far this season, teams that have lost to the Nets are Charlotte, Chicago and the Knicks. The Nets visit the Ford Center on March 12. For the Thunder’s sake, let’s hope the Nets aren’t 3-61 and riding a 34-game losing streak. The pressure could be unbearable.