Think back to 1984. The Houston Rockets finished an NBA-worst 29-53 to guarantee themselves the top pick in the draft. While opponents were accusing Houston of throwing games in attempt to giftwrap Hakeem Olajuwon, nothing was ever proven and the Rockets went on to win two NBA titles with Olajuwon at center. The NBA instituted a draft lottery in 1985, with all non-playoff teams receiving a proportional chance to win the draft's top overall pick.
Think back to 1993. The Ottawa Senators finished with the fewest wins (nine) in NHL history. The Senators were accused by some opponents, as well as Sports Illustrated, of purposefully losing games in an attempt to land top prospect Alexander Daigle in the upcoming draft. Daigle turned out to be a bust, but the issue still brought about questions as to the integrity of the draft. Sure enough, the NHL initiated a draft lottery in 1995, which is weighted based on record but guarantees every team in the league a chance to win the top spot.
Here in 2005, the Houston Texans have been flat-out terrible. With a Week 15 win against Arizona notwithstanding, the Texans lost three consecutive late-season games in rather questionable fashion.
Playing in St. Louis in Week 13, Houston squandered a 10-point lead with less than a minute to play before losing in overtime to a Rams squad led by its third-string quarterback.
Against Baltimore in Week 14, the Texans gave up a last-minute drive by Kyle Boller and the Ravens offense, which had struggled all day, that moved Baltimore into field-goal range for the winning kick.
Finally, against Tennessee in Week 15, Houston had two field-goal attempts in the final four minutes to tie the game. The first was blocked, while the second - after a miraculous kick return and face-masking penalty that extended the game and allowed the Texans a shot at the win - may have been the ugliest kick in the history of football. Houston kicker Kris Brown shanked the kick into the crowd, and with it took the belief that the Texans were truly motivated to win.
Not that they should be. But it still should bring about the discussion as to whether the NFL should finally institute a draft lottery, much as the NBA and NHL have already done in an attempt to eliminate the possibility of throwing games.
With possible franchise prospects such as Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart available, its only natural for teams already eliminated from playoff contention to start planning for the draft. If you were head coach of the Saints, wouldn't you rather play your backups this week against the Lions (and end up with a shot at Bush or Leinart) than play your starters and try to improve to 4-12?
