Defending a professional sports championship isn't easy. From hunters to the hunted, from low to high expectations, defending the crown presents an even bigger target. Advancements in scouting, technology and even awareness towards injuries makes it a harder hill to climb. Hot and cold spells can also make a difference. Just ask Aaron Rodgers, Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Thomas on how hard it is to defend a title.
The Green Bay Packers went 15-1 on the season after winning Super Bowl XLV in February 2011. Many sports pundits picked them as an overwhelming favorite to win the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, the New York Giants spoiled the party at Lambeau Field winning 37-20 in the NFC divisional playoffs. Rodgers and the team's high-scoring offense were derailed by coach Tom Coughlin's band of defensive piranhas, led by Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck and Antrel Rolle. Green Bay may have earned the nickname 'Titletown USA', but not this year.
The Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup in June 2011 after a 39-year wait. Then they had a short offseason to enjoy with, leading to a sloppy October to begin the new season. Nevertheless, they enjoyed a dominant November, December and January highlighted by the breakout season of Tyler Seguin and the dominance of their goaltending duo Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask. However, the Bruins would struggle again in February and March, before finishing the year second in the East with 102 points. In the conference quarterfinals the Bruins struggled for goals but managed to push the Washington Capitals to a seventh game before Joel Ward's overtime wrister ended Boston's repeat bid. The Bruins' run was affected by playoff hero Nathan Horton suffering a concussion in January, Adam McQuaid's eye injury late in the season, and Rask's groin injury in March, essentially ending their seasons. The Stanley Cup playoffs, after all, is unpredictable.
But don't tell the same thing to the NBA playoffs, where the superpowers of the league are here to dominate and win it all. However, this wasn't the case for the defending champion Dallas Mavericks. After losing Tyson Chandler, Caron Butler and J.J. Barea and hastily acquired Lamar Odom (which never worked out, of course), the Mavs simply groped for form and finished with an uninspiring 36 wins in a lockout-shortened 66 game season. The Oklahoma City Thunder, who were upended by the eventual champs in last year's conference finals, appeared quicker, stronger and wiser than the aging Mavs, and it took only four games to send the champs home early. Dirk Nowitzki failed to find the same magic he had last year, while Jason Kidd's late-season injury took its toll and Jason Terry wasn't the same guy who bailed the Mavs out from outside. Like the Miami Heat from 2007, the Mavs were outplayed by a younger, more mature team.
Now let's hope that the loss of Albert Pujols won't be a hindrance for the defending World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals, as they started the post-Pujols era on a high note. Until then, the Cardinals are here to stay, before the likes of Texas, Detroit, Tampa Bay, Washington, Los Angeles, Baltimore and New York stake claim to the title.
The Green Bay Packers went 15-1 on the season after winning Super Bowl XLV in February 2011. Many sports pundits picked them as an overwhelming favorite to win the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, the New York Giants spoiled the party at Lambeau Field winning 37-20 in the NFC divisional playoffs. Rodgers and the team's high-scoring offense were derailed by coach Tom Coughlin's band of defensive piranhas, led by Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck and Antrel Rolle. Green Bay may have earned the nickname 'Titletown USA', but not this year.
The Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup in June 2011 after a 39-year wait. Then they had a short offseason to enjoy with, leading to a sloppy October to begin the new season. Nevertheless, they enjoyed a dominant November, December and January highlighted by the breakout season of Tyler Seguin and the dominance of their goaltending duo Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask. However, the Bruins would struggle again in February and March, before finishing the year second in the East with 102 points. In the conference quarterfinals the Bruins struggled for goals but managed to push the Washington Capitals to a seventh game before Joel Ward's overtime wrister ended Boston's repeat bid. The Bruins' run was affected by playoff hero Nathan Horton suffering a concussion in January, Adam McQuaid's eye injury late in the season, and Rask's groin injury in March, essentially ending their seasons. The Stanley Cup playoffs, after all, is unpredictable.
But don't tell the same thing to the NBA playoffs, where the superpowers of the league are here to dominate and win it all. However, this wasn't the case for the defending champion Dallas Mavericks. After losing Tyson Chandler, Caron Butler and J.J. Barea and hastily acquired Lamar Odom (which never worked out, of course), the Mavs simply groped for form and finished with an uninspiring 36 wins in a lockout-shortened 66 game season. The Oklahoma City Thunder, who were upended by the eventual champs in last year's conference finals, appeared quicker, stronger and wiser than the aging Mavs, and it took only four games to send the champs home early. Dirk Nowitzki failed to find the same magic he had last year, while Jason Kidd's late-season injury took its toll and Jason Terry wasn't the same guy who bailed the Mavs out from outside. Like the Miami Heat from 2007, the Mavs were outplayed by a younger, more mature team.
Now let's hope that the loss of Albert Pujols won't be a hindrance for the defending World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals, as they started the post-Pujols era on a high note. Until then, the Cardinals are here to stay, before the likes of Texas, Detroit, Tampa Bay, Washington, Los Angeles, Baltimore and New York stake claim to the title.
No comments:
Post a Comment