Last Place Update - February 19

Welcome to this week's Last Place Update. We had a light week last week, but a fun All-Star and Michael Jordan Week. Let's get started with the second half of the season.

  Michael Jordan's 12-40 Charlotte Bobcats are once again this week's Kings of the Cellar. They lead the 15-37 Orlando Magic by three games. The 15-36 Washington Wizards trail the Magic by half a game. Each of the three teams is on a one game losing streak.

   Since the last update, Charlotte and Washington went 1-1. Orlando lost their only scheduled game last week.

  Once again, as tempting as it is to give it once again to the 19-31 Minnesota Timberwolves, this week's honorable mention goes to the 25-28 Portland Trailblazers. The Trailblazers are 3-7 in their last ten games, losing their last five straight. Portland is also 5-13 since January 11. This week, the Trailblazers host the Phoenix Suns tonight. Then they go on to the weekend by going to the Staples Center to play the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday and host the Boston Celtics on Sunday. Portland should win at least one game, but based on their losing streak, they could pull an 0-fer.

Next Losses...

   Charlotte has a busy week. They go to Orlando tonight to take on the Magic. Then the Bobcats spend the rest of the week at home by hosting the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, Chicago Bulls on Friday, and the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. The Bobcats have a chance to get a victory or two, but if they fall to Orlando, they will probably have an 0-fer.

  As you already know, Orlando hosts the off and on Charlotte Bobcats tonight. Then they go on the road to visit the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday and the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday. The Magic finish their week at home by taking on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Believe it or not, Orlando could go 2-2 if they play well. However, they could also have an 0-fer, which is more likely.

   The once season leading Kings of the Cellar, Washington Wizards, have a homestand this week. They host the Toronto Raptors tonight, the Denver Nuggets on Friday, and the Houston Rockets on Saturday. This is the toughest schedule of the three contenders. Everything says Washington should have an 0-fer, but they could pull off a win or two if they continue to play well.

Other Stuff...

   Condolences go out to the Los Angeles Lakers organization, coaches, players, and alumni on the passing of owner Jerry Buss. In addition to the ten NBA championships and 16 appearances in the NBA Finals, Buss's Lakers earned a 1,786-926 regular season record on his watch. Not counting this season, the Lakers finished the season with a losing record only three times (1993, 1994, 2005) since Buss bought the team in 1979. It is a gross understatement to say that Jerry Buss was a credit to the game of basketball. 'Nuff said.

   What a great game in women's college basketball between UConn and Baylor. Baylor couldn't stop UConn in the first half and UConn couldn't stop Brittney Griner in the second half. Congrats to Baylor on a great win!

   Speaking of women's college basketball, Weber State (0-24) and Jacksonville State (0-26) are the remaining 0-fer teams. North Carolina Central got their first win of the season against Savannah State on Saturday, beating them 43-38. My beloved Lady Privateers of the University of New Orleans got their third win of the season against  the Utah Valley Wolverines, 55-51. UNO is now 3-19.

   On the men's side, Grambling State is still on its season long 0-fer at 0-23. The Tigers lost their last five games by double-digit scores. Jackson State rolled all over Grambling State on Saturday, dominating them by a score of 77-38.

   Which of the remaining winless teams will get their first win? Will we have a men's and women's team run the winless table?

Stay tuned.  Have a great day!!!