By JARED PURCELL

Sports Editor

In 2007, Detroit was named the best sports city in the nation by Sporting News Magazine. Could that be said again in 2009 following a perfectly imperfect 0-16 season from the Detroit Lions?

The successes of the other professional Detroit teams have done a good job of compensating in victories for  what the Lions amount toin defeat. The Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Pistons have both won at least one championship this decade and have made the playoffs over and over again. Even the once lowly Tigers, who set an American League record of 119 losses in 2003, managed to tower over the Lions and went to the World Series in 2006.

Still, as much as everyone would like to forget the follies of Detroit’s lowliest franchise, the 0-16 Lions provide unique qualities that many of the other great sport cities lack. In fact, it is these qualities that help set Detroit apart from all others.

So, without further ado, here is why the 0-16 Lions make Detroit the best sports city in America:

Balance: Balance is one thing that many of the great sports cities don’t have. Take Boston for example. They’ve got the Celtics, the New England Patriots, the Red Sox and the recently resurging Bruins. That is way too much goodness for one city. Too much alpha and no omega. Boston fans can get bigheaded and expectations can go through the roof with such success. At least the Lions help keep Detroit fans modest.

Growth: I’m not making a joke (well maybe a small one). But seriously, it can’t get any worse than 0-16. Things have nowhere to go but up. So, Detroit is automatically a better sports city next year if the other Detroit teams stay the course. Thank you, Lions!

Diversity: While other teams find ways to win, the Lions find ways to lose (and are good at it). The Lions give a different approach to games than most teams and they have lost in almost every way possible. They aren’t afraid to be different from  the winning ways of other teams. What other city has a team that can be so bold?

Patience: Anyone who can work under Matt Millen for so long, and the likes of Mr. Ford, should be insane by now. Props, Lions.

Originality: OK, so maybe I’m grasping a bit for these qualities but, come on, when you are the first NFL team to lose 16 games EVER, it doesn’t get more original than that.