But you know what they say about history. At the conclusion of the 2017 season, Gase reflected on how an improbable sequence of negative events had helped drive the team from the playoffs a year before to 6-10.

Coach Mike McDaniel was asked about it on Tuesday. “I guess it didn’t hit me with surprise,” McDaniel told reporters regarding the fan discontent. “I think people invest and have to go and believe in a team that has — bottom-line — the droughts ...