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While we’re talking about perennial also-rans with once-in-a-generation stars, the 76ers’ Billy King comes in #3.
Before I point out how stupid this is, I should mention that it reveals an interesting bias. Sports doesn’t value reliable success so much as total victory. If fans and athletes cared about mere playoff berths and regular-season winning percentage, people would talk about the genius of Brian Cashman and his propensity for relying on proven (if expensive) talent to ensure high winning percentages, media interest, freakish apparel sales, and large crowds year in and year out. Recent champs the Cardinals and Colts would impress with their consistent above-averageness. And Kevin McHale would deserve measured praise for, as Forbes puts it, “eight playoff berths and a .539 regular season winning percentage–more than double his predecessor’s .244.”
