Dynasty was a popular TV series in the 1980s known for big hair, big egos and
shoulder pads. Dynasties have also been an integral part of sports for decades.
shoulder pads. Dynasties have also been an integral part of sports for decades.
Some people believe they are great for sports, others not so much. I find that to be
a euphemism for, “I wish the dynasty was my team but since it isn’t, it sucks” or “It’s
my team, of course dynasties are great.” If the dynasty is not your team, you may
hate it in the moment but appreciate it years later.
a euphemism for, “I wish the dynasty was my team but since it isn’t, it sucks” or “It’s
my team, of course dynasties are great.” If the dynasty is not your team, you may
hate it in the moment but appreciate it years later.
The Golden State Warriors would be considered an active dynasty having won
three NBA titles the past four years and are heavy favorites to add to the collection.
In what could fall into the rich getting richer category, Golden State signed All-Star
center DeMarcus Cousins to a one-year, $5.3 million dollar deal, otherwise known
in NBA terms as a mid-level exception. With the signing of Cousins, the Warriors
now have five All-Stars in their starting lineup: Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay
Thompson and Draymond Green.
three NBA titles the past four years and are heavy favorites to add to the collection.
In what could fall into the rich getting richer category, Golden State signed All-Star
center DeMarcus Cousins to a one-year, $5.3 million dollar deal, otherwise known
in NBA terms as a mid-level exception. With the signing of Cousins, the Warriors
now have five All-Stars in their starting lineup: Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay
Thompson and Draymond Green.
The backstory to Cousins, who is averaging 21.1 points and 11.0 rebounds per
game in his eight seasons with Sacramento and New Orleans, is that he comes
with baggage. For openers, he ruptured his Achilles Tendon, which is an injury
that some do not come back from at all and others have reduced effectiveness.
Though he has never been in trouble off the court, Cousins has had behavior
issues with coaches, fans, teammates and media. Cousins is not likely to return
until after January.
game in his eight seasons with Sacramento and New Orleans, is that he comes
with baggage. For openers, he ruptured his Achilles Tendon, which is an injury
that some do not come back from at all and others have reduced effectiveness.
Though he has never been in trouble off the court, Cousins has had behavior
issues with coaches, fans, teammates and media. Cousins is not likely to return
until after January.
The move is low risk for the Warriors. If Cousins either a) Is not healthy or b)
Behavior issues rear their head, they can send him packing. For Part B, the hope
is that being around a championship culture, as opposed to Sacramento’s
dysfunction, will put him on his best behavior.
Behavior issues rear their head, they can send him packing. For Part B, the hope
is that being around a championship culture, as opposed to Sacramento’s
dysfunction, will put him on his best behavior.
Keep in mind, two years ago the Warriors turned the basketball world upside down
by signing Durant away from the Oklahoma City Thunder after Golden State
coughed up a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Durant has
since helped the Warriors win consecutive NBA titles.
by signing Durant away from the Oklahoma City Thunder after Golden State
coughed up a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Durant has
since helped the Warriors win consecutive NBA titles.
The term “Super Team” has been bandied about more regularly the last decade
after Lebron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers to join the Miami Heat, forming a
team with fellow All-Stars Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. The Heat reached the
finals four straight years, winning two.
after Lebron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers to join the Miami Heat, forming a
team with fellow All-Stars Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. The Heat reached the
finals four straight years, winning two.
Though I know I’ll get pushback for saying this, I don’t care. There is a difference
between Durant’s move and James’ move that some people can’t see past their
nose. James, who recently signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles
Lakers, had two stints in Cleveland (2003-2010; 2014-2018). In the first stint,
Cleveland reached the finals in 2007, getting swept by a superior San Antonio
Spurs team. Besides the Spurs, the Orlando Magic (2009) and Boston Celtics
(2008, 2010) also derailed James and his team from reaching the finals. James,
however, joined the Heat to beat the Magic, Celtics and Spurs. He did not join
them.
between Durant’s move and James’ move that some people can’t see past their
nose. James, who recently signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles
Lakers, had two stints in Cleveland (2003-2010; 2014-2018). In the first stint,
Cleveland reached the finals in 2007, getting swept by a superior San Antonio
Spurs team. Besides the Spurs, the Orlando Magic (2009) and Boston Celtics
(2008, 2010) also derailed James and his team from reaching the finals. James,
however, joined the Heat to beat the Magic, Celtics and Spurs. He did not join
them.
In 2016, the Thunder led the 73-win Warriors, 3-1 in the Western Conference
Finals, only to lose the series. The Game 6 loss was especially haunting with the
Thunder leading by seven points in the last five minutes but Durant and then
teammate Russell Westbrook’s supbar play in the fourth quarter contributed to
Oklahoma City’s collapse. Weeks later, Durant signed with the Warriors. While
Durant is an incredible talent and future Hall of Famer, I’m unimpressed with the
two titles he has contributed to Golden State. I would be more impressed if he left
the Thunder for another team to beat the Warriors.
Finals, only to lose the series. The Game 6 loss was especially haunting with the
Thunder leading by seven points in the last five minutes but Durant and then
teammate Russell Westbrook’s supbar play in the fourth quarter contributed to
Oklahoma City’s collapse. Weeks later, Durant signed with the Warriors. While
Durant is an incredible talent and future Hall of Famer, I’m unimpressed with the
two titles he has contributed to Golden State. I would be more impressed if he left
the Thunder for another team to beat the Warriors.
Though some people knock James for changing teams for the third time in his
career, at least he is going to a team to beat the Warriors as opposed to joining
them.
career, at least he is going to a team to beat the Warriors as opposed to joining
them.
The myth is that James started the trend of Super Team and Durant continued it.
I say nonsense to both because that’s when the term started getting used.
I say nonsense to both because that’s when the term started getting used.
Take those legendary Celtics teams from the 1950s and ’60s, for instance. They
were virtual All-Star teams. Take the ’62 Celtics, just to pick one year out of a hat.
That team featured six Hall of Famers (Bill Russell, John Havlicek Clyde Lovellette,
Bob Cousy, Tom Heinsohn, KC Jones) plus superb role players Satch Sanders and
Jim Loscutoff. Those Celtics teams defined the NBA in its early years, winning 11
championships in 13 years.
were virtual All-Star teams. Take the ’62 Celtics, just to pick one year out of a hat.
That team featured six Hall of Famers (Bill Russell, John Havlicek Clyde Lovellette,
Bob Cousy, Tom Heinsohn, KC Jones) plus superb role players Satch Sanders and
Jim Loscutoff. Those Celtics teams defined the NBA in its early years, winning 11
championships in 13 years.
Then the 1970s arrived and the ABA created a level of parity not seen in any
decade before or since. Eight different teams won the NBA championship in the
1970s, and the league struggled to attract the public’s interest. Along came the
’80s, widely considered the golden age of the NBA, and literally only five teams
were relevant for a full 10 years: Celtics, Lakers, Sixers, Pistons, Rockets. Only
the first four won titles during the decade. Then the Bulls won six titles in the ’90s,
and interest in the league went international. Not only are Super Teams not a new
creation, history shows they are incredibly good for the NBA from a business
standpoint, which is why the league does not really want to put a stop to the
practice.
decade before or since. Eight different teams won the NBA championship in the
1970s, and the league struggled to attract the public’s interest. Along came the
’80s, widely considered the golden age of the NBA, and literally only five teams
were relevant for a full 10 years: Celtics, Lakers, Sixers, Pistons, Rockets. Only
the first four won titles during the decade. Then the Bulls won six titles in the ’90s,
and interest in the league went international. Not only are Super Teams not a new
creation, history shows they are incredibly good for the NBA from a business
standpoint, which is why the league does not really want to put a stop to the
practice.
The NBA, MLB, NFL, college football and college basketball have always been
top-heavy with a handful of elite teams at the top and the rest either rebuilding or
retooling. The one difference, however, that you can sell is that the NFL, college
football and college basketball have a one-game playoff. Sure, the New England
Patriots, Alabama, Kentucky, Villanova, Duke, etc. are the creme de la creme.
However, in those sports, you can sell “any given day, any one can beat anyone.”
MLB is also a best of seven playoff format but if you have dominant pitching like
the 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers (Orel Hershiser), 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks
(Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling) and 2014 San Francisco Giants (Madison
Bumgarner), that is a great equalizer against a more talented club.
top-heavy with a handful of elite teams at the top and the rest either rebuilding or
retooling. The one difference, however, that you can sell is that the NFL, college
football and college basketball have a one-game playoff. Sure, the New England
Patriots, Alabama, Kentucky, Villanova, Duke, etc. are the creme de la creme.
However, in those sports, you can sell “any given day, any one can beat anyone.”
MLB is also a best of seven playoff format but if you have dominant pitching like
the 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers (Orel Hershiser), 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks
(Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling) and 2014 San Francisco Giants (Madison
Bumgarner), that is a great equalizer against a more talented club.
In the NBA, it is a best of seven with no real equalizer to help a less talented club.
There is an eventuality that the better team wins over seven games. Better team,
however, does not equal higher seed. Vegas Insider has booked the Warriors as
2-to-3 odds to win the 2019 title followed by Boston and the LA Lakers at 5-1,
Houston at 8-1 and Philadelphia at 10-1. The next closest is San Antonio at 40-1.
There is an eventuality that the better team wins over seven games. Better team,
however, does not equal higher seed. Vegas Insider has booked the Warriors as
2-to-3 odds to win the 2019 title followed by Boston and the LA Lakers at 5-1,
Houston at 8-1 and Philadelphia at 10-1. The next closest is San Antonio at 40-1.
There have been those who say they won’t bother to watch the NBA, you might as
well hand the Warriors the title now. Granted, barring injuries or the team bus
driving off the Bay Bridge, Golden State is going to win the title. However, sports
seasons do not have a script. They have a human element. Injuries, chemistry
issues, etc. can always derail a team.
well hand the Warriors the title now. Granted, barring injuries or the team bus
driving off the Bay Bridge, Golden State is going to win the title. However, sports
seasons do not have a script. They have a human element. Injuries, chemistry
issues, etc. can always derail a team.
I’m not even a Warrior fan but I don’t buy the argument that dynasties are bad for
sports. Anyone that says that is a damn hypocrite because if their team is
dominating, they are loving it. If the dominant team is not yours, you hate and
envy them.
sports. Anyone that says that is a damn hypocrite because if their team is
dominating, they are loving it. If the dominant team is not yours, you hate and
envy them.
Love them or hate them, dynasties are a big reason you watch sports and there
is no evidence that they have ever been bad for sports.
is no evidence that they have ever been bad for sports.
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