Published on: Sep 21, 2022 5:01 pm IST|Updated on: Sep 21, 2022 5:01 pm IST
The NBA is one of the best sports leagues in the world, loved for its fast-paced action and limitless entertainment. That being said, there have been numerous times when things haven’t gone quite to plan, and people have been left feeling sour.
In this article, we’ll look at 25 of the worst fails in the history of the NBA. Whether it’s failed NBA teams or players who’ve had a really bad game, we’ve got some great fails for you here.
We’ve got plenty of fails to get into, so we’ll keep things short. While there have been too many blunders and mistakes over the years that could have easily made this compilation, we’ve done our best to find 25 of the very worst fails in the NBA’s long history.
A record that nobody wants, in the 15/16 season Rockets player Andre Drumond missed a whopping 23 three throws in just one game.
A record that’s so bad it hasn’t been missed. In the 1940s, Joe Fulks missed 42 of his 55 field goal attempts in just one game. There’s bad, then there’s this…
James Harden might be great, but clutch might not be the perfect adjective. Throughout his career, he’s missed 16 three-pointers in a single game on 6 separate occasions.
In the 00/01 season, basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal missed 11 free throws in a single game. If it was anyone else, we’re sure he’d be clowned on a lot more.
In 1971, Tim Hardaway missed a whopping 17 field goal attempts in one game, proving that even the best players can have games that just don’t go right for them.
Despite being heavily injured in the 07/08 season, the Wizards decided to hand Gilbert Arenas a colossal 6-year contract extension worth in excess of $110m.
Just one year after signing a 7-year deal worth over $100m and making the All-Star team, Shawn Kemp returned to The Sonics’ pre-season camp weighing over 300 lbs.
The Nicks had a stinker when they handed a 30-year-old Allan Houston a 6-year deal worth a colossal $100m when it was clear that he was past his best.
While he was a good runner, Josh Smith never should’ve been handed a 4-year contract worth over $50m by the Pistons in 2013. He wasn’t an all-rounder.
Recieving a long-term contract worth almost $100m despite hardly being fit is a dream come true for many. Chandler Parsons was handed that by Memphis in 2016.
Way back in 2006, a new microfibre ball was introduced by the NBA. Everyone hated it and it’s seen as one of the worst innovations in NBA history.
Despite earning over $100m over the course of his 11-year NBA career, Antoine Walker somehow ended up blowing it all and going bankrupt in 2009.
Mark Madsen might have been a decent player but was remembered best for is his awful dancing after winning the championship in both 2001 and 2002.
While some games suck, it’s rare that they suck so hard that the ratings absolutely plummet. The 2007 finals were a prime example of an all-time stinker.
A serial movie actor, Wilt Chamberlain’s worst movie role was in a film called Bombaata. The less we say about it the better… it’s THAT bad!
Michael Jordan might have been a great player but his time pitchside is best remembered for drafting Kwame Brown and Adam Morrison – 2 massive duds!
The decision had the potential to be an all-timer ESPN special but when LeBron picked what seemed to be a safe option, pretty much everyone felt completely let down.
Where do we start? Latrell Sprewell thought $7m a year was poverty wages, he was singled out by his head coach, he made death threats against players, and then he went bust.
Nike was discovered to have hidden a tape showing LeBron James being dunked on by Jordan Crawford way back in 2009 because it made them look bad.
There have been so many players being hyped as the next Michael Jordan but every single time we end up being disappointed. When will we learn?
Some people are cut out to become coaches but this can’t be said for Sidney Lowe. With a win rate of just 25%, Lowe is someone who is probably best away from the court.
This might be a harsh inclusion but you’ve got to admit that some of Rodman’s many hairstyles weren’t exactly hitting the mark. That being said… they were memorable!
Some signings just make sense but Michael Olowokandi joining the Clippers just wasn’t meant to be. He averaged almost 10 rebounds per game!
Jordan’s were made famous and quickly became synonymous with basketball. Do you remember Fila’s attempt to break into the streetwear/basketball space? Nope.
Luckily for everyone who follows the NBA, gone are the days of those atrocious short shorts that left very little to the imagination. We’re so lucky to have what we have now.