Franchise Performance Pt. 1 (#121 - #148)

Recapping the groundrules of the study, we are ranking all sports city-team combinations for playoff performance since 1974 using a poker like system:
1) All teams chip in $10 at the beginning of the year
2) Winner takes 50%, Runner up 25%, Semifinalists 10%, remaining playoff teams split the last 5%
3) City/Team combinations are separate, the Charlotte Hornets are not associated with the New Orleans Hornets, etc.

We start here with the worst 20%. The threshold here was about -$178, meaning franchises that had played less than 17 season cannot lose enough to qualify. For the most part, you'll see franchises around most of the 38 seasons with little to show for it but a semifinal appearance or two. The ranking system is biased against teams that have been bad for a long time (is that really a bias)?

Keep in mind, playoff appearances in the NBA/NHL don't get you much. For a while, everyone in the NHL made the playoffs except 5 teams. Splitting 5% among 12 teams these days gets you less than a half of a percent.

Without further ado, the rankings...

Rank	Total	Team	City	League	Titles	Finals	Semis	Playoffs	Years
148	-$353.79	Hawks	ATL	NBA	0	0	0	22	38
147	-$347.31	Lions	DET	NFL	0	0	1	9	39
146	-$342.92	Chiefs	KC	NFL	0	0	1	11	39
145	-$291.38	Blues	STL	NHL	0	0	2	29	38
144	-$286.40	Kings	LA	NHL	0	1	1	23	38
143	-$274.00	Expos	MON	MLB	0	0	1	1	31
142	-$268.00	Brewers	MIL	MLB	0	1	2	4	38
141	-$265.54	Falcons	ATL	NFL	0	1	2	11	39
140	-$265.29	Clippers	LA	NBA	0	0	0	4	27
139	-$264.00	Warriors	OAK	NBA	1	1	2	9	38
138	-$263.75	Cubs	CHI	MLB	0	0	3	6	38
137	-$253.17	Capitals	WAS	NHL	0	1	2	22	37
136	-$252.42	Nuggets	DEN	NBA	0	0	3	22	35
135	-$251.31	Jets	NYC	NFL	0	0	4	12	39
134	-$248.50	Mariners	SEA	MLB	0	0	3	4	35
133	-$234.58	Bengals	CIN	NFL	0	2	2	9	39
132	-$233.06	Seahawks	SEA	NFL	0	1	2	11	36
131	-$225.35	Maple Leafs	TOR	NHL	0	0	5	23	38
130	-$219.33	Kings	SAC	NBA	0	0	1	11	26
129	-$219.00	Padres	SD	MLB	0	2	2	5	38
128	-$218.88	Bucks	MIL	NBA	0	1	5	22	38
127	-$216.88	Chargers	SD	NFL	0	1	4	12	39
126	-$213.63	Cavaliers	CLE	NBA	0	1	4	18	38
125	-$209.00	Rangers	DAL	MLB	0	2	2	5	38
124	-$184.48	Saints	NO	NFL	1	1	2	9	39
123	-$182.54	Timberwolves	MSP	NBA	0	0	1	8	22
122	-$182.00	Astros	HOU	MLB	0	1	4	9	38
121	-$178.33	Nets	NEW	NBA	0	2	2	16	34

Discussion: The Atlanta Hawks win the worst franchise since 1974, with nary a semifinals (a.k.a conference finals) appearance throughout the 38 years. The Texas Rangers had been flirting with worst franchise but two World Series appearances have alleviated that immediate concern.

Two teams actually won a title (1975 Golden State Warriors, 2010 New Orleans Saints) registering as the worst teams that have a title.

Two teams with 25+ years of never making a conference final: Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Clippers.

The two Cleveland Browns franchises (and Oakland Raiders and Winnipeg Jets) franchises are treated uniquely. The combined Browns would have been in this worst group.

The worst 28 break down by league as:
NBA: 9
NFL: 8
MLB: 7
NHL: 4

Cities (with more than one team) that avoid this list include Boston, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Miami, Indianapolis, Charlotte, Baltimore, Nashville, Winnipeg, Tampa, Buffalo, Phoenix, and Vancouver.

Cites that double up include Seattle, San Diego, Milwaukee, and Atlanta.

Each team is summarized below. A reminder, the years below are the year of the playoffs, so for NFL, 2010 is associated with the 2009 regular season. For best season, playoff performance is given precedence over regular season record.

Number: 148
Team: Hawks
City: Atlanta
League: NBA
Years: 1974 – 2011 (38)
Playoffs: 22
Semifinals: 0
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 1987 (57-25, lost in 2nd round of playoffs)
Worst year: 2005 (13-69)
Winnings: -$353.79

Number: 147
Team: Lions
City: Detroit
League: NFL
Years: 1974 – 2012 (39)
Playoffs: 9
Semifinals: 1
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 1992 (12-4, lost in NFC Championship game)
Worst year: 2009 (0-16)
Winnings: -$347.31

Number: 146
Team: Chiefs
City: Kansas City
League: NFL
Years: 1974 – 2012 (39)
Playoffs: 11
Semifinals: 1
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 1994 (11-5, lost in AFC Championship game)
Worst year: 2009 (2-14)
Winnings: -$342.92

Number: 145
Team: Blues
City: St. Louis
League: NHL
Years: 1974 – 2011 (37)
Playoffs: 29
Semifinals: 2
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 2001 (43-22-12-5, lost in Conference finals)
Worst year: 2006 (21-46-0-16)
Winnings: -$291.38

Number: 144
Team: Kings
City: Los Angeles
League: NHL
Years: 1974 – 2011 (37)
Playoffs: 23
Semifinals: 1
Finals: 1
Championships: 0
Best year: 1993 (39-35-10, lost in Stanley Cup Finals)
Worst year: 1985 (23-49-8-0)
Winnings: -$286.40

Number: 143
Team: Expos
City: Montreal
League: MLB
Years: 1974 – 2004 (30)
Playoffs: 1
Semifinals: 1
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 1994 (74-40, playoffs wiped out by strike)
Worst year: 1976 (55-107)
Winnings: -$274.00

Number: 142
Team: Brewers
City: Milwaukee
League: MLB
Years: 1974 – 2011 (37)
Playoffs: 4
Semifinals: 2
Finals: 1
Championships: 0
Best year: 1982 (95-67-1, lost in World Series)
Worst year: 2002 (56-106)
Winnings: -$268.00

Number: 141
Team: Falcons
City: Atlanta
League: NFL
Years: 1974 – 2012 (39)
Playoffs: 11
Semifinals: 2
Finals: 1
Championships: 0
Best year: 1999 (14-2, lost in Super Bowl)
Worst year(s): 1990,1997 (3-13)
Winnings: -$265.54

Number: 140
Team: Clippers
City: Los Angeles
League: NBA
Years: 1985 – 2011 (27)
Playoffs: 4
Semifinals: 0
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 2006 (47-35, lost in 2nd round of playoffs)
Worst year: 1987 (12-70)
Winnings: -$265.29

Number: 139
Team: Warriors
City: Oakland
League: NBA
Years: 1974 – 2011 (38)
Playoffs: 9
Semifinals: 2
Finals: 1
Championships: 1
Best year: 1975 (48-34, won NBA Championship)
Worst year: 2001 (17-65)
Winnings: -$264.00

Number: 138
Team: Cubs
City: Chicago
League: MLB
Years: 1974 – 2011 (37)
Playoffs: 6
Semifinals: 3
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 1984 (96-65, lost in NL Championship Series)
Worst year: 1980 (64-98)
Winnings: -$263.75


Number: 137
Team: Capitals
City: Washington
League: NHL
Years: 1975 – 2011 (36)
Playoffs: 22
Semifinals: 2
Finals: 1
Championships: 0
Best year: 1998 (40-30-12-0, lost in Stanley Cup Finals)
Worst year: 1975 (8-67-5)
Winnings: -$253.17

Number: 136
Team: Nuggets
City: Denver
League: NBA
Years: 1977 – 2011 (35)
Playoffs: 22
Semifinals: 3
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 2009 (54-28, lost in Western Conference finals)
Worst year: 1998 (11-71)
Winnings: -$252.42

Number: 135
Team: Jets
City: New York City
League: NFL
Years: 1974 – 2012 (39)
Playoffs: 12
Semifinals: 4
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 1999 (12-4, lost in AFC Championship game)
Worst year: 1997 (1-15)
Winnings: -$251.31

Number: 134
Team: Mariners
City: Seattle
League: MLB
Years: 1977 – 2011 (34)
Playoffs: 4
Semifinals: 3
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 2001 (116-46, lost in AL Championship Series)
Worst year: 1978 (56-104)
Winnings: -$248.50

Number: 133
Team: Bengals
City: Cincinnati
League: NFL
Years: 1974 – 2012 (39)
Playoffs: 9
Semifinals: 2
Finals: 2
Championships: 0
Best year(s): 1982, 1989 (12-4, lost in Super Bowl)
Worst year: 2003 (2-14)
Winnings: -$234.58

Number: 132
Team: Seahawks
City: Seattle
League: NFL
Years: 1977 – 2012 (36)
Playoffs: 11
Semifinals: 2
Finals: 1
Championships: 0
Best year: 2006 (13-3, lost in Super Bowl)
Worst year: 1993 (2-14)
Winnings: -$233.06


Number: 131
Team: Maple Leafs
City: Toronto
League: NHL
Years: 1974 – 2011 (37)
Playoffs: 23
Semifinals: 5
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 2002 (43-25-10-4, lost in Conference finals)
Worst year: 1985 (20-52-8-0)
Winnings: -$225.35

Number: 130
Team: Kings
City: Sacramento
League: NBA
Years: 1986 – 2011 (26)
Playoffs: 11
Semifinals: 1
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 2002 (61-21, lost in Western Conference Finals)
Worst year: 2009 (17-65)
Winnings: -$219.33

Number: 129
Team: Padres
City: San Diego
League: MLB
Years: 1974 – 2011 (37)
Playoffs: 5
Semifinals: 2
Finals: 2
Championships: 0
Best year: 1998 (98-64, lost in World Series)
Worst year: 1974 (60-102)
Winnings: -$219.00

Number: 128
Team: Bucks
City: Milwaukee
League: NBA
Years: 1974 – 2011 (38)
Playoffs: 22
Semifinals: 5
Finals: 1
Championships: 0
Best year: 1974 (59-33, lost in NBA Finals)
Worst year: 1994 (20-62)
Winnings: -$218.88

Number: 127
Team: Chargers
City: San Diego
League: NFL
Years: 1974 – 2012 (39)
Playoffs: 12
Semifinals: 4
Finals: 1
Championships: 0
Best year: 1995 (11-5, lost in Super Bowl)
Worst year: 2001 (1-15)
Winnings: -$216.88

Number: 126
Team: Cavaliers
City: Cleveland
League: NBA
Years: 1974 – 2011 (38)
Playoffs: 18
Semifinals: 4
Finals: 1
Championships: 0
Best year: 2007 (50-32, lost in NBA Finals)
Worst year(s): 1982 (15-67)
Winnings: -$213.63

Number: 125
Team: Rangers
City: Dallas
League: MLB
Years: 1974 – 2011 (37)
Playoffs: 5
Semifinals: 2
Finals: 2
Championships: 0
Best year: 2011 (96-66, lost in World Series)
Worst year: 1985 (62-99)
Winnings: -$209.00

Number: 124
Team: Saints
City: New Orleans
League: NFL
Years: 1974 – 2012 (39)
Playoffs: 9
Semifinals: 2
Finals: 1
Championships: 1
Best year: 2010 (13-3, won Super Bowl)
Worst year: 1981 (1-15)
Winnings: -$182.54

Number: 123
Team: Timberwolves
City: Minneapolis-St. Paul
League: NBA
Years: 1990 – 2011 (22)
Playoffs: 8
Semifinals: 1
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 2004 (58-24, lost in Western Conference finals)
Worst year(s): 1992, 2010 (15-67)
Winnings: -$182.54

Number: 122
Team: Astros
City: Houston
League: MLB
Years: 1974 – 2011 (37)
Playoffs: 9
Semifinals: 4
Finals: 1
Championships: 0
Best year: 2005 (83-79-1, lost in World Series)
Worst year: 2011 (56-106)
Winnings: -$182.00

Number: 121
Team: Nets
City: Newark
League: NBA
Years: 1978 – 2011 (34)
Playoffs: 16
Semifinals: 2
Finals: 2
Championships: 0
Best year: 2002 (52-30, lost in NBA Finals)
Worst year: 2010 (12-70)
Winnings: -$178.33