The D-Word

By Brian Richie

The D-word. Something moms across America see as a reason to shove a bar of soap in a child's mouth quicker than Ralphie got the dirty mouth treatment in “A Christmas Story.” To sports fans, however, the D-word means the always controversial and hotly debated topic of dynasties.

 With the NBA season underway, I looked around at rankings of the NBA teams saw the Lakers firmly anchored at the number one spot, as well as all the experts practically breaking their legs to get in front of a camera to spout forth their prediction of L.A.'s dominance again this season. That got me thinking: could this be the next dynasty that sports gurus seemingly long for?

 One thing is for certain. Sports analysts love talking about dynasties, whether it is to shower them with accolades or to deny that the team in question has reached such a godly status. The funny thing is, no one can seem to agree on what a dynasty actually is. Sure, it is a team that is great for an extended period of time. But what is great? Were the Buffalo Bills a dynasty from 1990-1993 when they went to a record four straight Super Bowls but never actually won? What is an extended period of time? The Pittsburgh Steelers have won two Super Bowl titles in four years, but is that long enough?

 In my opinion, dynasties have shaped the ideal sports dream throughout history. Every athlete wants to achieve unprecedented greatness. For the average Joes in the world, all we can do is watch from our couches with potato chip crumbs on our laps as we scream at our teams and pray they attain unprecedented greatness. It is the competitive spirit in full force, and I love it. I can tell you that as a Miami Dolphins fan, I would never admit the Patriots are or ever had a dynasty. And I would like nothing better than for the Fins to go out and wax the Pats just to prove it.
 The talk of dynasties creates ambition and fuels the fire in sports. Every team wants a chance to find a chink in the armor of a so-called “dynasty.” Every team wants to put a stomp on the runs of greatness of another team, yet every team wants to acquire that large target. Winning is the ultimate goal in sports, and as the old adage goes, “No one remembers second place.”

 Without debates and disagreements, sports would be boring. The talk of dynasties jack up the intensity. If you don't believe me, just ask Rex Ryan what he thinks of other teams' previous accomplishments. The mindset of “We're not here to kiss [the Patriots'] rings” highlights the animosity and jealousy that brews in team facilities across the nation. Rivalries are born and strengthen with the success of teams everywhere. The 'Canes hate the 'Noles, the Yankees hate the Sox, and the Celtics and Lakers have not exactly had a history of playing nice together either. If you are paying attention, the one common bond in all of these rivalries is that each of these teams has been considered a dynasty at some point in history.

 No one knows if the Lakers, Steelers, Penguins, or Yankees are currently constructing a dynasty, but I cannot wait to find out. Emotions will run high, and the display of gritty competition will reach its peak. The D-word may cause some mothers to gasp, but it gets sports fans drooling. Dynasties are what dreams are made of.