Nets threaten Sixers’ single season loss record

There are some records in sports that have always seemed untouchable, and many of them have proven to be just that, while others have fallen. The home run records that were held by Aaron and Ruth/Maris seemed like they would probably stand forever, but along came the era of performance enhancing drugs and down went those records. One sports record that will certainly last into perpetuity is the record for the most wins in major league baseball. The great Cy Young won no less than 511 ballgames at the major league level, and that is a truly astonishing number equating to over 25 twenty-win seasons. These days a single 20 game winner is a rarity.

Most of the records that we pay attention to are the positive ones. We rarely examine the history of futility, but during this, the 2009-10 NBA basketball season, we are faced with the possibility of a record breaking season by the New Jersey Nets. As of this writing, there are just 12 regular season games remaining, and the Nets stand at 7-63. The record for the worst NBA season of all time is held by the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers, who finished up the campaign with a 9-73 mark. So the Nets need to win three of their last 12 games to avoid the ignominy that goes with this type of record setting.

You would think that the members of that Sixers team would be rooting for the Nets to get them off the hook, but at least one member of that team, Freddie “Mad Dog” Carter takes a different slant.

“…I certainly hope they don’t break it. I want to keep that record. I want to maintain my immortality. I was no superstar who won seven titles so I want to be known for something,” Carter was quoted as saying.

This “race for disgrace” is not as exciting as the goings-on near the top of the standings, but it is in interesting sidelight to keep our eye on.