Nets Lose Again, Now 0-16

Lawrence Frank is updating  his resume, and hoping that some moderate college program is looking for a former NBA coach, because he’s on borrowed time with the New Jersey Nets. The Nets lost last night 109-96 to the Sacramento Kings, who managed to win only 17 games last season. Frank and the Nets would be happy with one of those wins right now, as they are just one loss away from tying the NBA mark for losses to begin a season. So who do the Nets have to beat to avoid going into the record books? Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Not only were the Lakers NBA Champs last season, but they are a better team this year with the addition of Ron Artest, and are 11-3 right now. As if things couldn’t get worse, the Nets will have to go to the Staples Center to upset the Lakers for their first win. Now losing to the Lakers will be bad enough, but not the worse thing possible since it just ties them for the record. Losing their next game is the one the Nets need to avoid, but things don’t get any easier for them as the Dallas Mavericks come to town. The Mavericks are 12-4 this year and in first place in the Southwest Divsion, and have actually played better on the road than at home this season.

So it seems inevitable with their next two contests against the Lakers and Mavericks that the Nets will make history with their losing streak. But the question remains; when will the Nets get their first win? Luckily Mercifully for Nets fans they have a real shot at keeping it under 20. After the Mavericks the Nets face the Bobcats, so that game is at least somewhat winnable (though the Bobcats won the first meeting by 11 points). Even though New Jersey could still win, I think they take their 19th loss, but after the Bobcats the scheduling gods shine down on New Jersey as their 20th game of the season is against the New York Knicks. The Nets are the sole reason the Knicks aren’t the worst team in the Eastern Conference this season, so the New Jersey will finally have a team on its level. With a little luck, the Nets ineptness will be less than the Knicks on Sunday December 6th and New Jersey will have its first tally in the Win Column (though I wouldn’t hold my breath).