Are these Sports Dynasties over?
I've heard some talk about these three Sports Franchises about their Dynasties being dead. OK two of them but I'll add the Golden State Warriors their since their not having a good 2019-20 season and also add the Houston Astros even though unsure if you call a Dynasty or not even though they have had two World Series Appearances in three seasons and made it to playoffs four out of five seasons and yes I will talk a little of Astros stealing signs. Actually I should do a seperate post for them. I will discuss if I think those Dynasties are/will be over and summarize how they got there.
Golden State Warriors: They only had one playoff appearance between 1994-95 to 2011-12, during that time they drafted Step Curry in 2009 7th overall, Klay Thompson in 2011 11th overall, and Draymond Green in the Second Round in 2012. In their first season together, they made it to the Playoffs and their third year together won the NBA title. After losing the next year to the Cleveland Cavaliers, they added Kevin Durant and won the next two titles and losing to the Toronto Raptors in the 2018-19 Finals.
Are they done?: This season yes but after that they're going to be contenders for years. I knew (among others) knew Golden State would have an off-year with KD leaving for Brooklyn (though they did get D'Angelo Russell in that trade) and Klay out for most of the season. However, I didn't (among others) see them being the worst team in the NBA. Losing Step Curry for Three Months really hurt and so did losing Draymond Green for a significant amount of time. I don't see them making the playoffs so they should have a nice lottery pick though I think they will do enough to avoid being the worst team in the league. I don't see them tanking for the first pick especially when Step returns. So they should return to being dominate after this season with Step, Klay, Draymond, D'Angelo, and a possible high draft pick.
New England Patriots: One of the original AFL didn't exactly have a good run of things. Maybe a good season here and there (which included making the Super Bowl in the 1985 season) until 1993 when they hired Bill Parcells who led them back to the Super Bowl in his fourth season then he resigned, Pete Carroll took over and had a good not great run with the team in his three seasons there, and then Bill Belichick took over. In his second season, Tom Brady replaced an injured Drew Bledsoe and they have never looked back. Since 2001, the Patriots haven't had a losing season, only missing the playoffs twice, and winning six Super Bowl. I wonder how they consisting put up winning teams year after year especially with free agency and losing assistants, players, and front office people to other teams. Even the NFL can't stop the Patriots and it hasn't been for a lack of trying with Spygate, Deflategate and coming soon maybe Spygate 2 (seriously spying on a two-win team?).
Are they done?: I said yes unless they get a New Quarterback. It seems like everyone expect Brady is replaceable. However, Brady isn't getting any younger and sooner or later if Belichick wants another Super Bowl or two, it would be better to go young quarterback and cut ties with Brady. I'm sure they can find someone and maybe even work out a trade. Would you trust a Quarterback heading toward his 21st season? However, I don't think they will cut ties.
Alabama Football: One of the Most Storied Programs in College Football had some problems in the mid-1990s to 2006 until they hired Nick Saban. OK, Saban's first year 2007 wasn't that good they went 7-6 (well 2-6 because the NCAA took 21 Victories from Alabama after infractions from the previous coach, five of them were Saban's). However, since 2008 they have been consistently in the top 12 (top 10 in the AP, Coaches had them 11th in 2010). The only team that was that good for a decade-plus was Bobby Bowden's Florida State team from 1987-2000 and those teams were in the top 5 those years. Side note Bobby Bowden could have been an Alabama coach but passed on the opportunity. Like the Patriots, Bama has to deal with teams poaching their assistants for head coaching jobs.
Are they done?: Probably not, Currently (Jan 2020) They are at number three in recruiting and they kept reloading after every year. However, on Rivals.com Three Teams in their Division including recent Champions LSU (number four) are ranked in the top 10 in recruiting. Their biggest rival Auburn is number eight and that's not counting Florida and Georgia who play in the SEC East. Plus I think Saban has a few years left in him. Plus when he does retire more than likely Bama would break out all the stops to hire a new coach especially a certain Clemson coach who was an Alabama Receiver during their 1992 Championship season and was an assistant as well. I know Clemson fans don't want me to say this but Dabo Swinney will be offered several Brinks Truck filled with cash. Will he accept the Job though? That's a question for another post.
Golden State Warriors: They only had one playoff appearance between 1994-95 to 2011-12, during that time they drafted Step Curry in 2009 7th overall, Klay Thompson in 2011 11th overall, and Draymond Green in the Second Round in 2012. In their first season together, they made it to the Playoffs and their third year together won the NBA title. After losing the next year to the Cleveland Cavaliers, they added Kevin Durant and won the next two titles and losing to the Toronto Raptors in the 2018-19 Finals.
Are they done?: This season yes but after that they're going to be contenders for years. I knew (among others) knew Golden State would have an off-year with KD leaving for Brooklyn (though they did get D'Angelo Russell in that trade) and Klay out for most of the season. However, I didn't (among others) see them being the worst team in the NBA. Losing Step Curry for Three Months really hurt and so did losing Draymond Green for a significant amount of time. I don't see them making the playoffs so they should have a nice lottery pick though I think they will do enough to avoid being the worst team in the league. I don't see them tanking for the first pick especially when Step returns. So they should return to being dominate after this season with Step, Klay, Draymond, D'Angelo, and a possible high draft pick.
New England Patriots: One of the original AFL didn't exactly have a good run of things. Maybe a good season here and there (which included making the Super Bowl in the 1985 season) until 1993 when they hired Bill Parcells who led them back to the Super Bowl in his fourth season then he resigned, Pete Carroll took over and had a good not great run with the team in his three seasons there, and then Bill Belichick took over. In his second season, Tom Brady replaced an injured Drew Bledsoe and they have never looked back. Since 2001, the Patriots haven't had a losing season, only missing the playoffs twice, and winning six Super Bowl. I wonder how they consisting put up winning teams year after year especially with free agency and losing assistants, players, and front office people to other teams. Even the NFL can't stop the Patriots and it hasn't been for a lack of trying with Spygate, Deflategate and coming soon maybe Spygate 2 (seriously spying on a two-win team?).
Are they done?: I said yes unless they get a New Quarterback. It seems like everyone expect Brady is replaceable. However, Brady isn't getting any younger and sooner or later if Belichick wants another Super Bowl or two, it would be better to go young quarterback and cut ties with Brady. I'm sure they can find someone and maybe even work out a trade. Would you trust a Quarterback heading toward his 21st season? However, I don't think they will cut ties.
Alabama Football: One of the Most Storied Programs in College Football had some problems in the mid-1990s to 2006 until they hired Nick Saban. OK, Saban's first year 2007 wasn't that good they went 7-6 (well 2-6 because the NCAA took 21 Victories from Alabama after infractions from the previous coach, five of them were Saban's). However, since 2008 they have been consistently in the top 12 (top 10 in the AP, Coaches had them 11th in 2010). The only team that was that good for a decade-plus was Bobby Bowden's Florida State team from 1987-2000 and those teams were in the top 5 those years. Side note Bobby Bowden could have been an Alabama coach but passed on the opportunity. Like the Patriots, Bama has to deal with teams poaching their assistants for head coaching jobs.
Are they done?: Probably not, Currently (Jan 2020) They are at number three in recruiting and they kept reloading after every year. However, on Rivals.com Three Teams in their Division including recent Champions LSU (number four) are ranked in the top 10 in recruiting. Their biggest rival Auburn is number eight and that's not counting Florida and Georgia who play in the SEC East. Plus I think Saban has a few years left in him. Plus when he does retire more than likely Bama would break out all the stops to hire a new coach especially a certain Clemson coach who was an Alabama Receiver during their 1992 Championship season and was an assistant as well. I know Clemson fans don't want me to say this but Dabo Swinney will be offered several Brinks Truck filled with cash. Will he accept the Job though? That's a question for another post.
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