Bobcats officially worst NBA team ever

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (AP) The worst season in NBA history is over for the Charlotte Bobcats.

The Bobcats couldn't even beat a New York Knicks team which rested most of its starters, finishing with the lowest winning percentage in league history after a 104-84 loss on Thursday.

Charlotte's 23rd consecutive loss left them with a winning percentage of .106 (7-59) in the lockout-shortened season. The record was set 39 years ago, when the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers finished 9-73 (.110) in a full regular season.

"These last 10 games, we've really tried to get after it, compete and not get that record," said Gerard Henderson, who top-scored with 21 points on Thursday. "It just didn't happen for us. We just didn't have enough. We couldn't come up with the plays.

"When you look back at it and see we lost 59 games, you always think, `We could've won one more.'"

Kemba Walker had 13 points for Charlotte, which now faces an offseason of uncertainty.

"I have to commend the guys," said Paul Silas, whose future as the Bobcats' coach is in doubt. "They gave me everything they had and I can't fault them one bit for what happened. If they hadn't played hard for me and their attitudes hadn't been right then that's different, but they were positive and did everything that they needed to do."

The Knicks won despite resting Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler and Baron Davis, not to mention the ongoing absence of injured Jeremy Lin. Amare Stoudemire had 21 points over just two quarters.

With team owner Michael Jordan watching from his private box, the Bobcats played nearly even with the Knicks in the first half, leading twice and only trailing 46-44 at halftime.

Before the season began, Jordan believed this was a team capable of making the postseason.

"We've got some good pieces that can help us get to the playoffs. I'm not waiting until next year. I think we have a good quality basketball team this year."

The win-loss column says otherwise.

Updated April 27, 2012