Worst Follow-Up Sports Seasons
Nick Dimengo
With the Phillies trying to repeat as World Series Champs, the Lakers out to defend their NBA Title, and the Steelers and Penguins sitting atop their divisions, it got us thinking here at Maxim...can they all do it again? And because we're sports pessimists, we started thinking about the teams that didn't even give fans hope the following year. No excuses could get past our list (Sorry post-Jordan and Pippen Bulls). Here are the worst follow-up performances by a team to win or play for a championship!
***1998-99 Chicago Bulls***
1997-98 Record: 62-20, Division Champs, NBA Champs
1998-99 Record: 13-37, 1st overall pick, Worst record in NBA
First to Worst: We were nice and only put the team after the Bulls last title on this list, but let's be honest, because they're the team of the 90's, we cut them some slack! In the three years leading up to this miserable, locked-out season, the Bulls averaged almost 68 wins, with three NBA Championships. In the three years following their '98 title? An average of 13 wins and three top-4 picks.
Forecast: Having the original #23 helps their pedigree, but they're still a couple years away from getting back on the NBA map. They did push Boston to seven games in the first round of the playoffs last year, so who knows?
Next Championship Appearance: We'll be booking our tickets to the Windy for the 2016 NBA Finals!
***2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers***
2002 Record: 12-4, Division Champs, Super Bowl Champs
2003 Record: 7-9, 3rd in Division, top-15 Draft pick
The Buc Stops Here: Unlike the first two teams, the Bucs had all the pieces in place to repeat. So why didn't they even make the playoffs? SImply put, they choked. Statistically, they ranked the same in offense, while still maintaining a top-5 defense, but they just didn't make enough plays to win more games.
Forecast: Their Super Bowl winning coach got canned last year, and is now doing Monday Night Football. They've already started 0-7, and have used three starting Quarterbacks in '09. At least the Tampa weather is nice in December, so fans will be doing something outside...it just won't be at Bucs games!
Next Championship Appearance: It took them 26 years to even get to their first Super Bowl, it'll take them another 20 for the next. See ya on the Tampa beaches celebrating again in 2022!
***2006 St. Louis Cardinals***
2006 Record: 83-78, Division Champs, World Series Champs
2007 Record: 78-84, 3rd in Division
St. Lunatics: Looking at their record, the '06 Cardinals were never a great team, so maybe the follow-up season shouldn't be a surprise. Repeating in baseball may be the toughest sport to do it in, but when you have virtually the same stats as your championship team, and a freak like Albert Pujols, you should always have a chance.
Forecast: In '09, they traded for Matt Holliday, had three pitchers with 15+ wins, and still had that Pujols guy (likely NL MVP). Even if they lose some pieces, we still like the chances of Busch Stadium being a sh*tshow this time next year...and not because of Mark McGwire's roid rage!
Next Championship Appearance: They've played in two of the last six World Series, and are prime to make another playoff run next year. Our flights are booked for 2010. Look for us, we'll be the ones slamming Natty Light...come on, we're cheap!
***2002-03 Carolina Hurricanes***
2001-02 Record: 35-26-16-5, Division Champs, Eastern Conference Champs
2002-03 Record: 22-43-11-6, 5th in Division, Worst Record in NHL
A Natural Disaster: The 2001-02 season notched the Hurricanes third playoff appearance in four years, after winning their division and nabbing the #3 seed. After finally busting out of the first round (they had lost the previous two times), and getting beat by the Red Wings in the Cup Finals, a lot was to be expected in '02-'03. Needless to say, they couldn't score or defend, and what was delivered was an NHL worst record.
Forecast: After making it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals again last year, they've stumbled out of the gate in '09. As long as "Sid the Kid" and "Alexander the Great" prowl on Eastern Conference ice, it'll be tough for the 'Canes to get back to a Finals.
Next Championship Season: Even if they sign Gordie Howe, Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, and have Gordon Bombay coach this team, we probably won't see them back competing for the Cup until 2026.
***2005 Philadelphia Eagles***
2004 Record: 13-3, Division Champs, NFC Champs
2005 Record: 6-10, 4th in Division, top-15 Draft pick
The Eagle Has Landed: The Eagles went from four straight NFC Championship games, and a Super Bowl appearance, to an embarrassing last place finish in the NFC East. Injuries, a pathetic defense, and a little headache named Terrell Owens pretty much did this team in.
Forecast: They've already overcome more injuries in '09, and are off to a 4-2 start. Considering that '05 disaster was their only losing season in the past ten, we'll assume they're a safe bet to make the playoffs again this year.
Next Championship Appearance: If they don't get there with McNabb, it could be a while. Unfortunately, it's not always sunny in Philadelphia...we won't be eating cheesesteaks til 2026. Sorry Philly fans, go ahead and boo us...
***2006-07 Dallas Mavericks***
2005-06 Record: 60-22, 2nd in Division, Western Conference Champs
2006-07 Record: 67-15, Division Champs, Best Record in NBA
The Mav Nots: The Mavs actually had a better season following their Finals loss. They finished 67-15, with the best record in the NBA, and tying for the 4th best record in a single season. But their success is why they make this list. With expectations higher than ever, they got ousted in the playoffs by the number eight seeded Warriors, who became the first eight seed to ever beat a number one in a seven-game series.
Forecast: On paper, this year's Mavs actually look better than the team that won 51 games last year. If they stay healthy, they'll be in the playoffs, and with Dirk, they should at least get out of the first round...sound familiar?
Next Championship Appearance: The Mavs could be the Eagles of the NBA. If they don't win one with Dirk and J-Kidd, it may be awhile. We heard the new Cowboys stadium in Big D's pretty nice! Unfortunately, we won't be able to visit it til 2030.