TEAM OF THE 2000s

The Best Team of Every Major Sport

Since you only get to do this every 10 years, let’s talk about the Team of the Decade. I already covered the MLB team of the decade, and the Yankees wound up winning in 2009, clinching the 00s. But this time, I’m gonna cover the 4 major sports and rank the top 3 in each sport. Once again, the team with the most rings wins, and the number of championship appearances determines any ties.

MLB:
1. Yankees: 2 titles (2000, 2009) in 4 appearances
2. Red Sox: 2 titles (2004, 2007) in 2 appearances
3. Both Cardinals/Phillies: 1 title (2006/2008) in 2 appearances
Notes: Despite the Yankees’ collapse in 2004 and first round frustrations, they are clearly the team of the decade after dominating in 2009, swooping in and stealing the crown from Boston, who had their best decade since the 1910s, when they won 4 of their 7 titles.

NBA:
1. Lakers: 4 titles (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009) in 6 appearances
2. Spurs: 3 titles (2003, 2005, 2007) in 3 appearances
3. Pistons: 1 title (2004) in 2 appearances
Notes: For the second decade in a row, the most dominant team in sports was a basketball team, with the first team obviously being the 1990s Bulls and their 6 titles.

NHL:
1. Both Devils/ Red Wings: 2 titles (2000, 2003/ 2002, 2008) in 3 appearances
2. Hurricanes/Ducks/Penguins:

all 1 title (2006/2007/2009) in 2 appearances
3. everyone else that won a title
Notes: I don’t watch enough hockey to have a comment. Go Rangers.

NFL:
1. Patriots: 3 titles (2001, 2003, 2004) in 4 appearances
2. Steelers: 2 titles (2005, 2008) in 2 appearances
3. Giants: 1 title (2007) in 2 appearances
Notes: The 2009 champs haven’t been decided, but the Patriots conquered the decade early and have already sealed it up, despite their huge loss in the 2008 Super Bowl. Only a few teams are a threat to tie for 2nd or 3rd place. Honorable Mention goes to the Colts for 1 title and the most wins in a decade in NFL history.