IrishCanadian25
Going on 10 years with WrestleZone
For those who have never seen them, ESPN does this really facinating peice each year on all North American pro sports franchises in the 4 major sports: Major League Baseball, the National Football League, the National Hockey League, and the National Basketball Association. 122 teams in all were ranked, and the criteria they were ranked on include: bang for the buck, fan relations, ownership, affordability, stadium experience, players, coaching, title track.
The rankings can be seen here: http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/teamrankings
I will discuss the top 3 and the bottom three, and then invite everyone to answer some questions and let the debate rage on.
The Top 3
#1 - New Orleans Saints- The former 'Aints and again the Saints, and went from last years rank #52 all the way up to #1. Being the reigning super Bowl Champion with Drew Brees as QB helps. Their coach, Sean Payton, placed the Saints #2 in the coaching criterion (behind Mike Scocia of the Angels) and ranked tied for #3 in Title Track (behind the Phillies and Yankees).
#2 - Orlando Magic- Dwight Howard's near-championship performance last year catapulted this franchise, but the #1 "bang for the buck" in pro sports is really what's remarkable about the Magic. Despite a subpar stadium experience (ranked #96), the relatively inexpensive cost and high value of the team from an entertainment perspective really evens that out.
#3 - Los Angeles Angels- #1 in coaching AND affordability, the Angels cozy southern California home is shockingly cheap in an otherwise overpriced suburban area of Anaheim. Their worst category was ownership, which was still ranked 35th.
The Bottom 3
#120 - Washington Wizards- They rank dead last in fan relations. They rank 2nd to last in players (I guess teammates turning guns on one another after a card game dispute taints this team a bit?). All reasons why the Wizards - now featuring John Wall - dropped 20 slots to be one of the 3 worst franchises in North American sports.
#121 - Toronto Maple Leafs- It's depressing when such a storied franchise hits the skids so bad for so long. Dead last in bang for the buck and affordability, this once proud original 6 team isn't even sniffing the playoffs anytime soon. Mats Sundin and Curtis Joseph are NOT walking through that door!
#122 - Los Angeles Clippers- What a shock. They are SO cursed, SO desolate. They were never really in the LaBron sweepstakes, despite being "in" the LaBron James sweepstakes. It's hard enough being in Kobe and the Lakers' shadow, but watching your highly touted #1 draft pick lose his season to injury before a game? That's just awful. That's just the Clippers.
Discussion questions: (you don't have to answer them all, just pick and choose
1. Who is ranked too high? Too low? Any surprises?
2. Where are your favorite teams ranked? Do you think that's accurate?
3. Where are your rival teams ranked? Are you happy about that?
4. Which franchises are on the way up? On the way down?
Feel free to add any additional thought you may have.
The rankings can be seen here: http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/teamrankings
I will discuss the top 3 and the bottom three, and then invite everyone to answer some questions and let the debate rage on.
The Top 3
#1 - New Orleans Saints- The former 'Aints and again the Saints, and went from last years rank #52 all the way up to #1. Being the reigning super Bowl Champion with Drew Brees as QB helps. Their coach, Sean Payton, placed the Saints #2 in the coaching criterion (behind Mike Scocia of the Angels) and ranked tied for #3 in Title Track (behind the Phillies and Yankees).
#2 - Orlando Magic- Dwight Howard's near-championship performance last year catapulted this franchise, but the #1 "bang for the buck" in pro sports is really what's remarkable about the Magic. Despite a subpar stadium experience (ranked #96), the relatively inexpensive cost and high value of the team from an entertainment perspective really evens that out.
#3 - Los Angeles Angels- #1 in coaching AND affordability, the Angels cozy southern California home is shockingly cheap in an otherwise overpriced suburban area of Anaheim. Their worst category was ownership, which was still ranked 35th.
The Bottom 3
#120 - Washington Wizards- They rank dead last in fan relations. They rank 2nd to last in players (I guess teammates turning guns on one another after a card game dispute taints this team a bit?). All reasons why the Wizards - now featuring John Wall - dropped 20 slots to be one of the 3 worst franchises in North American sports.
#121 - Toronto Maple Leafs- It's depressing when such a storied franchise hits the skids so bad for so long. Dead last in bang for the buck and affordability, this once proud original 6 team isn't even sniffing the playoffs anytime soon. Mats Sundin and Curtis Joseph are NOT walking through that door!
#122 - Los Angeles Clippers- What a shock. They are SO cursed, SO desolate. They were never really in the LaBron sweepstakes, despite being "in" the LaBron James sweepstakes. It's hard enough being in Kobe and the Lakers' shadow, but watching your highly touted #1 draft pick lose his season to injury before a game? That's just awful. That's just the Clippers.
Discussion questions: (you don't have to answer them all, just pick and choose
1. Who is ranked too high? Too low? Any surprises?
2. Where are your favorite teams ranked? Do you think that's accurate?
3. Where are your rival teams ranked? Are you happy about that?
4. Which franchises are on the way up? On the way down?
Feel free to add any additional thought you may have.