1974-75 New Orleans Jazz record: 23-59, missed playoffs
Teams, like players, have a tendency to lose in the beginning. The New Orleans Jazz were no exception, finishing their debut 1974-75 season a dismal 23-59. Still, the fanbase in New Orleans had to be excited. A 23-win season is a lot easier to stomach when it coincides with Pistol Pete Maravich’s debut for your squad.
Maravich razzled and dazzled in equal measure, to the tune of 21.5 points, 6.2 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game. The Pistol probably could have used a few more weapons in the Jazz’s arsenal, as their next leading scorer was 24-year old Nate Williams, who averaged 14.3 points over the 43 games he was available to suit up.
While this roster may have wanted for capable talent, it was not lacking in notable names. Arguably, Maravich wasn’t even the most accomplished player on the roster. 35-year-old Walt Bellamy played a single game for the New Orleans Jazz in 1974, but the 1993 Hall of Fame inductee’s name still bears mention. This is a man who scored 31.6 points per game in his rookie campaign in 1961.
Meanwhile, Rick Adelman, former NBA head coach, suited up 28 times for this squad, and Henry Bibby, the father of long time NBA point guard Mike Bibby, contributed the same number of games.
Frankly, it might be difficult to identify a more interesting 23-win team in NBA history.