After yesterday's venom over my Sonics column (and before I start, I'm sorry about getting the stadium capacities wrong. I didn't have the stats with me at the time), let's focus on something of a lifetime achievement award. For those who are idiots! The list today ranks the top ten franchises who, through sheer bad luck, or sheer imcompetence, have made their teams the joke of their respective leagues. Here's how it goes:

10. San Francisco 49ers: This once-proud team has fallen on lean years in part because they no longer have an unlimited budget. The feudal atmosphere between coach Mike Nolan and QB Alex Smith (Nolan hasn't even assured Smith of the starting job) adds to the uncertainty.

9. Miami Heat: I would have picked on Clay Bennett some more, but I want to cool the venom off a bit. The Heat, in any case, have plummetted since winning the 2006 NBA title. Pat Riley's will-he/won't-he soap opera wore out long ago (he currently deciding his future), and his bad moves (adding Ricky Davis, anyone) have poured gas onto the fire.

8. Memphis Grizzlies: The Grizzlies have had more valleys than peaks, beginning in Vancouver and (with a brief reprieve) continuing in Memphis. Maybe you can call it "The curse of Big Country". After all, any team that thinks Bryant Reeves was a top ten pick deserves what they get!

7. Kansas City Royals: Look beyond the good start, and realize that the last time Kansas City made the playoffs (I think 1989) George Brett was their top hitter, and Bret Saberhagen was their ace. Granted, with such a limited budget, they can't afford to compete regularly, but you'd think at least once they would have dumblucked their way into the playoffs by now.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves: Do you realize Kevin McHale has made the Celtics legit again? How? By giving away KG (although Al Jefferson has emerged)! McHale has been the GM there since 1995, and has two playoff series wins to his name (both in 2004). Until the T-Wolves wise up, they may be haunted by the Garnett trade for years to come.

5. Tampa Bay Rays: How many years have we heard that the Rays are going to emerge as a good team when their young talent comes together? It seems like that's been the case for years now. You need to know a major reason they rarely win? Because money is practically all they care about! Look at the major reason Evan Longoria wasn't on the roster at the start; because if he had been, he would become a FA in 2013 (by waiting, the Rays put that off by another year). You act cheap, you get cheap results.

4. Oakland Raiders: "Commitment to excellence". That is the Raiders' mantra. Unfortunately, they haven't had much excellence since losing the Super Bowl to Tampa five years ago. Al Davis' moves get more questionable every year (look at how he's overpaying for every FA they've signed this year), and his desire to fire Lane Kiffin is puzzling. And if he makes good on his promise (threat) to live until the Raiders win two more Super Bowls (!?!), it could be a long time yet before it's better.

3. Los Angeles Clippers: A rose is a rose is a rose. Or in this case, Clippers are Clippers are Clippers. This team wrote the book on losing (Five winning seasons I believe, two playoff series wins). They're the only team in NBA history to play since 1970, and have fewer than 10 years above .500!. One major reason: Donald Sterling, who is the anti-Steinbrenner; he refuses to meddle with his team to make it better (only to make it worse). Just quote Ron Harper (I have frequently); he said playing for them was like being in prison!

1A. New York Knicks: I'm sorry, there has to be 1 and 1A here, because the Knicks are comically inept. The Isiah Thomas error, er, era ended (we believe) almost as it began; with a loss, making them 23-59 (tied for worst 82 game record ever). Donnie Walsh needs to fire Isiah and start anew. Buy out as many contracts and trades what you can't buyout now, and begin the painful process of reconstruction.

1. Detroit Lions: What do all these teams (for the most part) have in common? Ownership has let the city down. And no one does it better than William Clay Ford. He sticks by Matt Milen even though evidence has shown he isn't an effective GM/Pres. Looking at the records tells you all you need to know (2-14, 3-13, 5-11, 6-10, 4-12 I believe, 2-14 and 7-9). I've said it before, and I'll say it again: what does it take to be fired from the Lions? A sex harassment suit!?

There the list. Any teams I should have mentioned? Think another team should have been higher? Let me know (I have a feeling Arizona Cardinals people will respond). Ola!