ESPN: Most Dominant Champions of the Last 20 Years

[BillMc]

http://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/22839747/the-20-most-dominant-champions-20-years-sports

Spurs 07 team is one of two NBA teams to make the list which covers all major sports. Dubs 17 team #1 overall.


18. 2006-07 San Antonio Spurs (NBA)Keating's score: 1.36
Key stat: Allowed 322 points in the NBA Finals against the Cavaliers, the fewest points allowed in a Finals series.
Keating's take: Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker played together for 14 seasons with San Antonio (which in itself is amazing and instructive, as is the fact that all three were born outside the continental United States). In 2007, their peak as a trio, they improved the Spurs by a whopping 14.1 points per 100 possessions, or 38.1 games, according to VORP. (Similar metrics, such as Win Shares and PER, also say 2007 was the Big Three's best season.)

My reaction is mixed. I never thought the 07 team was the Spurs' best and hate seeing the Dubs 1. But I'm kinda happy to see ESPN not worshipping a LeBron or Kobe/Shaq team. So, you know...

[TheRemix]

14' spurs weren't on the list? After winning the finals series by a record margin?

[Robz4000]

Always said that team had the most potential, but the overall best team was 2014 (and was prolly a Top 5 All-Time champion). Not due to talent, but overall chemistry/depth.

[BillMc]

14' spurs weren't on the list? After winning the finals series by a record margin?

Nope. I'd have them high, as were the 99 team (strike or not) or the 06 team that took out a strong Detroit squad. 03' felt like prime Timmy carrying everyone but they did end the Lakers dynasty. So, who knows. As for "non champions" the '12, '13 and '16 teams were very strong.

[Spur|n|Austin]

No 2014 on that list is almost laughable.

[BSfromTX]

Didn’t the ‘99 team set a record for wins/losses in their run?

That team dominated defensively and rolled through the playoffs

[BillMc]

It is good, however, to see the 07 team get some respect given the two prevailing narratives repeated to this day are 1) If the Suns players didn't leave the bench they'd have won that series and 2) it somehow shouldn't count because savior LeBron didn't have enough help.

So, while I don't really agree, I do like props given for that 07 team.

[BD24]

14 and 99 teams were both better and more dominant

[baseline bum]

LA Sparks and Phoenix Mercury being on this piece of shit list :lmao

[dabom]

14 was the most dominant. This is what happens when you look at rosters on paper. :lmao

[lmbebo]

17 Dubs also had a cake walk to the finals. Injured Portland team, not the strongest Jazz team (G Hill out) and then everyone knows what happened with Spurs/Kwahi, plus losing Tony in the 1st round.... Golden state had one of the easiest paths to finals ever that year. Hardly dominant.

[K...]

The dubs team who dodged kawhi, bin harden, and the previous years okc team, who played a Cavs team that imploded over the off-season? That one?

That's literally their Spurs 07 level trash. No team which blows a 3-1 lead should ever get to be called dominate.

[sasaint]

14' spurs weren't on the list? After winning the finals series by a record margin?

Lists... :lol

[Keepin' it real]

#fakeoutrage

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

LA Sparks and Phoenix Mercury being on this piece of shit list :lmao


Now I no longer feel the urge to click the link.

[ElNono]

07 was one of the weakest finals, tbh.... Young Lebron with an inexperienced surrounding cast, coached by Potato head...

The real Final that season was vs the Suns, which luckily Donaghy fixed for us, tbh...

[Dingle Barry]

Da fuq? I get this is supposed to be an objective measurement, but these clowns didn't even take into consideration the playoff opponents?

Subjectively, I rate the Spurs ships thusly:
14
05
03
07
99

[baseline bum]

07 was one of the weakest finals, tbh.... Young Lebron with an inexperienced surrounding cast, coached by Potato head...

The real Final that season was vs the Suns, which luckily Donaghy fixed for us, tbh...

Big Shot Rob doing the Lord's Work

[101A]

Da fuq? I get this is supposed to be an objective measurement, but these clowns didn't even take into consideration the playoff opponents?

Subjectively, I rate the Spurs ships thusly:
14
05
03
07
99

14
99
05
07
03

[bklynspursfan]

14' spurs weren't on the list? After winning the finals series by a record margin?

Yup. Much more dominant than the Warriors. ESPN having us #1 would be terrible for them, so whatever.

[Play Boban]

This might be the dumbest list I've ever read. The Warriors are the most dominant NBA team of the last 20 years, but they have no business being #1 on this list. This list is disgusting and sickens me.

[K...]

Where does that humiliation of Payton Manning rank? Isn't that an all time beat down?

[Russ]

The '07 team was the weakest of the five.

[dbreiden83080]

14 and 99 teams were both better and more dominant

It sucks to this day, the Bulls broke up and Jordan was out. Because i fully believe they would have dethroned them. 98 Bulls went 7 games with the Pacers in the ECF and were this close to a game 7 with Utah. Prime Timmy, along with D-Rob hungry for that ring. Plus Pippen was injured and as we saw in 99 basically useless. Spurs would have won that series in 6 IMO. Would have been a historic team having dethroned the Bulls.

[Russ]

It sucks to this day, the Bulls broke up and Jordan was out. Because i fully believe they would have dethroned them. 98 Bulls went 7 games with the Pacers in the ECF and were this close to a game 7 with Utah. Prime Timmy, along with D-Rob hungry for that ring. Plus Pippen was injured and as we saw in 99 basically useless. Spurs would have won that series in 6 IMO. Would have been a historic team having dethroned the Bulls.

Not to worry. The '03 Spurs broke up a Lakers fourpeat and the '14 team ended a Heat threepeat bid.

[dabom]

Not to worry. The '03 Spurs broke up a Lakers fourpeat and the '14 team ended a Heat threepeat bid.

kobycrying.gif

[dbreiden83080]

Not to worry. The '03 Spurs broke up a Lakers fourpeat and the '14 team ended a Heat threepeat bid.

Yeah but it would have been the GOAT.. Ending his run.

[Spurtacular]

No 2014 on that list is almost laughable.

If it's not laughable, it's cos I pretty much stopped giving a fuck about the cucks' lists at Disney Sports.

[daledondale]

No 2014 on that list is almost laughable.

[NameLess Scrub]

Seriously though, 2014 should've been there

One of the most satisfying basketball teams ever :lol

[BillMc]

Lists... :lol

Lists are silly but they're also the most natural thing in sports. As soon as a team wins a title or some new uber athlete appears on the scene its natural to rank them compared to both their peers and the past.

Lists might be useless but making them are the fuel of discussions from sports bars to forums like this. It's like the old Stones vs Beatles or Mary Ann vs Ginger or Count Floyd vs Elvira debates. People love to rank things.

[FkLA]

'99 Spurs

Started off 6-8
Finished season going 31-5
Playoffs 15-2
So 46-7 to end the year

That's a really slept on team, tbh.

[Phenomanul]

'99 Spurs

Started off 6-8
Finished season going 31-5
Playoffs 15-2
So 46-7 to end the year

That's a really slept on team, tbh.

And very few could score on them.

[BillMc]

'99 Spurs

Started off 6-8
Finished season going 31-5
Playoffs 15-2
So 46-7 to end the year

That's a really slept on team, tbh.

Pre-injury Timmy, not-yet-fading Admiral. Fearsome as hell team. :toast I think they'd have beaten the Jordan Bulls if that team hadn't broken up.

[sasaint]

Lists are silly but they're also the most natural thing in sports. As soon as a team wins a title or some new uber athlete appears on the scene its natural to rank them compared to both their peers and the past.

Lists might be useless but making them are the fuel of discussions from sports bars to forums like this. It's like the old Stones vs Beatles or Mary Ann vs Ginger or Count Floyd vs Elvira debates. People love to rank things.

Yep. :toast

For the record: Beatles/Ginger/Elvira... Beatles for beginning-to-end consistent greatness. Early and late Stones drags their portfolio down, and even mid-period Stones "Aftermath" to "Exile" is marred by "Satanic Majesties." ("Beggars Banquet", "Let It Bleed", "Sticky Fingers", "Exile" is a 4 album murderer's row that is at the top of my list for... There I go :lol.

But, here's one for you: Jeannie or Samantha?

[YGWHI]

Lists are silly but they're also the most natural thing in sports.
I'd say not just in sports. Like you say people love to rank things.

I'm not hypocrite, I admit that many times I make lists with my friends about the best girls we had, the best cars we've driven, etc etc.

Comparing & Ranking, it's part of human nature.

[LkrFan]

2001 Lakers have the highest post season winning percentage in NBA history. This list is laughable.

[Mr. Body]

BSPN

[DeadlyDynasty]

Nobody recognizes 1999.

The 2001 Miami Hurricanes were the greatest team...probably ever.

lol adding women's sports. ESPN just can't help themselves...

[spurraider21]

Nobody recognizes 1999.

The 2001 Miami Hurricanes were the greatest team...probably ever.

lol adding women's sports. ESPN just can't help themselves...
yeah, i dont care for CFB much outside of draft time... but that squad was insane. 38 players from that team ended up getting drafted, with 17 first round picks :wow

13 made pro bowls (43 trips combined)

[BillMc]

Yep. :toast

For the record: Beatles/Ginger/Elvira... Beatles for beginning-to-end consistent greatness. Early and late Stones drags their portfolio down, and even mid-period Stones "Aftermath" to "Exile" is marred by "Satanic Majesties." ("Beggars Banquet", "Let It Bleed", "Sticky Fingers", "Exile" is a 4 album murderer's row that is at the top of my list for... There I go :lol.

But, here's one for you: Jeannie or Samantha?

Samantha easily. That twinkle and little nose wrinkle she did...sexy. For me Beatles, Ginger, Elvira too (though Count Floyd cracks me up.) As for a Murder's Row: Rubber Soul, Revolver, St. Pepper, The White Album, Abbey Road....my God... (Yeah, I skipped Magical Mystery Tour, and the Yellow Submarine sound track, so sue me. :lol)


I'd say not just in sports. Like you say people love to rank things.

I'm not hypocrite, I admit that many times I make lists with my friends about the best girls we had, the best cars we've driven, etc etc.

Comparing & Ranking, it's part of human nature.

I agree my friend. My friends and I used to even rank "Worst pick up lines that actually worked." "You're pretty enough to be a porn queen" was the winner (or so my friend claimed...I remain doubtful to this day. No one actually heard him say it.).

[barbacoataco]

2007 team played in a weak year in the NBA. Not sure I remember them as the most dominant. I would agree with other posters that 2014 and 1999 were more impressive.

[sasaint]

Samantha easily. That twinkle and little nose wrinkle she did...sexy. For me Beatles, Ginger, Elvira too (though Count Floyd cracks me up.) As for a Murder's Row: Rubber Soul, Revolver, St. Pepper, The White Album, Abbey Road....my God... (Yeah, I skipped Magical Mystery Tour, and the Yellow Submarine sound track, so sue me. :lol)



I agree my friend. My friends and I used to even rank "Worst pick up lines that actually worked." "You're pretty enough to be a porn queen" was the winner (or so my friend claimed...I remain doubtful to this day. No one actually heard him say it.).

Samantha, for sure.

I am a big Beatles fan. Like I said - beginning-to-end consistent greatness. I even love their early covers. But the sustained feedback on that note at the beginning of "I Feel Fine" followed by that nice riff that powers through the whole song makes that song one of my all-time favorites. :tu

[Expert]

LA Sparks and Phoenix Mercury being on this piece of shit list :lmao
Rang before the Clippers or Suns tbh

[Expert]

Barbara Eden >> Elizabeth Montgomery

[SASdynasty!]

I’ve always thought that ‘07 team was the best. Tim, Tony, and Manu were all their prime and you had the best role support: Horry, Bowen, Finley, Barry, etc.

[HarlemHeat37]

The role players on the 2007 team were so old, I can't believe they got away with that:lol Bowen(35), Horry(36), Barry(35), Finley(33) as the specialists on the team..only Diaw was over 30 among the role players on the 2014 team IIRC..

[shorttotry]

Nobody. And I repeat Nobody beats 2014 Spurs. I defy you to tell me otherwise.

[BillMc]

Barbara Eden >> Elizabeth Montgomery

Both are great but must respectfully disagree.

[SASdynasty!]

Nobody. And I repeat Nobody beats 2014 Spurs. I defy you to tell me otherwise.
It took an MVParker performance in G7 to get past the 8th seed Mavs in the first round that year.

[UZER]

The role players on the 2007 team were so old, I can't believe they got away with that:lol Bowen(35), Horry(36), Barry(35), Finley(33) as the specialists on the team..only Diaw was over 30 among the role players on the 2014 team IIRC..

And 11 years later, Pop is still trying to win with old guys. :lol