Historically Bad Teams That Won't Stink for Much Longer
We'll never stop rooting for our teams. No matter how much pain and disappointment they bring us, they are always going to live in our hearts.
Historically bad franchises are especially troublesome for the health of sports fans. They're the ones that consistently let us down despite the fact that we crawl back to them each and every year. Even though we expect the worst, the best part about sports is that a ray of hope is always parked around the corner in a brand new BMW.
The following list was made to help all of the disenchanted fanbases across the globe. Whether these teams have landed a franchise player, embraced new ownership or are simply juiced with young talent, the future now looks promising.
Here are seven historically bad teams that won't stink for much longer.
Charlotte Hornets
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New uniforms, a new attitude and a roster that's starting to improve. That's how you can sum up your 2014-15 Charlotte Hornets.
The Hornets' roster isn't quite there yet, but with a cornerstone piece in Al Jefferson and a young point guard in Kemba Walker, their future has a real chance to be bright.
Owner Michael Jordan and his staff will have decisions to make considering Walker is going to be a free agent next summer, but having options is a nice change of pace from being the laughingstock of the league.
The freshly minted Hornets—they were the Bobcats since 2004 before returning to their original namesake—are in a much better place than they were in years past. With cap room to spare and a crop of impending free agents, Jordan's team is looking like an appealing destination.
Cleveland Browns
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We all feel bad for Cleveland Browns fans. They've been tortured to no avail since they returned to Ohio in 1999.
With just one playoff appearance in 2002, the Browns have historically been one of the worst franchises in the NFL for over 16 years now. After they fired their head coach Rob Chudzinski one year into his arrival, it felt like once again they were headed down the path of misery.
Then a new general manager and head coach combo broke through and, at least right now, it looks like they are prepared to change the Browns and their terrible ways.
The Browns are currently sitting at 5-3, and they've done it without the help of their superstar wide receiver Josh Gordon. Unless you were catching shade underneath a dirty rock for the last four months, you know that Gordon was suspended for the first 12 weeks of the season.
When he gets back into the swing of things, this offense could really take off. The Browns have done a good job of positioning themselves for the future.
They drafted their franchise quarterback during the 2014 draft—Johnny Manziel—but chose to start veteran Brian Hoyer instead. That was a smart decision.
What Coach Pettine and Farmer created in one offseason was a new identity for this franchise. Behind three young halfbacks, they are a run-first team that goes out and competes every single week.
That's a perfect formula for them, considering they have to compete in the savage division fans refer to as the AFC North.
New Orleans Pelicans
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The NBA is all about having a star and building around them. With so few in the game, it's a blessing the New Orleans Pelicans have Anthony Davis.
Davis is now a third-year pro, and at age 21, he's already taken a tremendous leap forward with his play. Through the start of the 2014-15 season, he's averaging 23.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and four blocks per game.
Those aren't just superstar numbers. They're "this kid is going to tear the world apart" stats. Davis has become an enigma, and the Pelicans will benefit from that.
Already they've done a nice job surrounding him with talent, not just a host of warm bodies. Point guard Jrue Holiday is a quality contributor along with slashing guard Tyreke Evans.
The Pelicans haven't reached the postseason since they were labeled the Hornets during the 2010-11 season. Now that Davis is a major part of this team, that feeling of melancholy should slowly start to float away.
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Chicago Cubs
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The Theo Epstein project hit its critical juncture when the team lured former Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon over to the Chicago Cubs.
Epstein—the architect behind the Boston Red Sox curse-breaking season in 2004—has gutted the roster since he walked through the doors of Wrigley Field with the help of general manager Jed Hoyer.
Since that time, the Cubs have begun to lay a foundation for success. "The Cubs have already started down the winning path, working with a roster that is chock-full of young talent like Anthony Rizzo, Starlin Castro, Jorge Soler, Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Albert Almora, Jake Arrieta and Arismendy Alcantara," wrote Bleacher Report's Anthony Witrado.
With Maddon now on the payroll and money to spend, the Cubs are a team on the rise. If the Kansas City Royals could make a World Series push this year, why can't the Cubs step out from the shadows and do the same in 2015?
Miami Dolphins
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The last time the Miami Dolphins reached the playoffs was in 2008. They lost in the Wild Card Round to the Baltimore Ravens and haven't shown their faces in the postseason since.
Though it took them a while, the Dolphins have positioned themselves to make a run this season. Like any competent organization, winning starts at the top. This offseason, the Dolphins removed ex-general manager Jeff Ireland from the position and hired his replacement, Dennis Hickey.
Hickey was an in-state hire, having spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers filling various roles in the front office. His calling card has turned out to be the fascination he has with data and advanced metrics.
With the world of statistics and analyzing trending in that direction, Hickey is the perfect guy to have in place when it comes to constructing a roster. Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald covered the Dolphins' 2014 draft and wrote about Hickey making picks based on "an analytics approach."
About 10 weeks into the season, his first two picks—tackle Ja'Wuan James and wide receiver Jarvis Landry—both look like they are going to be able to contribute in a big way for a long time.
The future of this franchise comes down to how quarterback Ryan Tannehill plays. Pro Football Focus' (subscription required) watchful eye has emulated what we've seen on film: sometimes he's hot, and other times he tends to struggle.
The good news is there have been more ups than downs. As Tannehill grows into a quality passer, the Dolphins will win more football games.
So far, Hickey's off to a good start sitting in that general manager's chair. Keeping up that level of work is what's going to make this Miami football club serious contenders in the AFC.
Sacramento Kings
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The Sacramento Kings are another team that has a passion for data. Vivek Ranadive—the owner of the franchise—is a numbers-and-information guy.
Ranadive has done a lot for this organization since he and his group of investors purchased the team in 2013. He's kept the Kings in Sacramento and even broke ground on a brand new stadium as a show of good faith.
The Kings are so much more right now than just a team that's stayed in their hometown. They also are ingrained with ability.
According to Bill Simmons and Jalen Rose of ESPN and Grantland fame, the Kings are the "Bill and Jalen franchise." They still have a ways to go, but with DeMarcus Cousins as the focal point of their attack, they are in good hands.
Cousins is a very good center, and right now he's exactly what the Kings need. With Rudy Gay by his side and an owner who's willing to spend money, the Kings could be just a season or two removed from returning to the playoffs—a feat they haven't accomplished since the 2005-06 season.
Detroit Lions
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This isn't a case of fool's gold. The Detroit Lions are well coached, have a deep roster and have gone from an average 7-9 team to a franchise on the rise.
Being a Lions fan, you're accustomed to heartache. Besides the team's brief run in the 2011 postseason, the Lions were absent from the big dance dating back to 1999. The most difficult part isn't the lack of playoff appearances, it's the fact that they haven't won a meaningful game since 1991.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford is a franchise QB, and first-year head coach Jim Caldwell has Super Bowl experience. The formula is there for the Lions to be a great team. Even with the Green Bay Packers loitering in the NFC North, they have a good enough defense and a plethora of weapons on the other side of the ball to make things happen.
Even with all of that ability and sound coaching, Lions fans will be wary as the season continues on. They've been burned way too many times before to just let things flow.
All MLB, NBA, NHL, college football and NFL information and stats provided by ESPN.com, unless noted otherwise.
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