Top 10 Sports Dynasties That Never Were

The Top Ten
1 2012-2019 Oklahoma City Thunder

When the Thunder lost in the 2012 Finals to the Heat, we all thought it was only the beginning for them. "They'll definitely be back. Don't feel bad for them" we all said. Turns out that Finals loss was their peak. I would feel bad for them but this is the same franchise that screwed over a great basketball town in Seattle for no real good reason. They deserved this catastrophic failure.

Three future MVPs, three trips to the conference finals, one trip to the NBA Finals. Yet, Oklahoma City was not able to bring a championship. The losses of Harden, Durant, and now Westbrook, have officially proclaimed them as a dynasty that never was.

2 1990-1993 Buffalo Bills

I have always felt an enormous amount of sympathy for the Bills. They're a small market team that had four straight opportunities to achieve immortality but they came up short all four times. This was such a great team filled with very likable players. A real shame that they couldn't win the big one.

The Buffalo Bills reached four Super Bowls in a row and lost each time. Even though they went 0-4, their resilience and ability to return and not quit has to be commended and respected.

You kinda have to feel bad for them the fact that they lost 4 Super Bowls in a row is insane. They were a Norwood field goal away from winning one of the games.

3 1995-2001 Cleveland Indians

Cleveland had two chances to win the World Series in the 90's. While 95 saw them lose to the Braves, they were unable to get by the Florida Marlins in 1997 after being three outs away from victory. To make matters worse, they Yankees dynasty came to life.

Definitely no. 1. As good as Westbrook is he can't win no matter what if he is the leader. This team had the best all time single season percentage. And yet they STILL couldn't
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4 1992-1996 Orlando Magic

Shaq, Penny, and the rest of the Magic appeared ready to reach the level of dynasty talk for Orlando. But from 1994-1996, the Magic were eliminated by way of a sweep in the playoffs. The hardest loss was in 1995 when the defending champion Rockets swept them to repeat as champions. By the end of 1996, Shaq was a Laker and Penny's career would take a downhill turn.

The breakup of this core could have easily been avoided if Orlando didn't blatantly disrespect Shaq and paid him what he deserved to be paid.

5 1995-2001 Seattle Mariners

The Mariners had the best player of the 1990's in Ken Griffey Jr. They reached to two ALCS series. Yet, they wouldn't play in the World Series. This would include a 2001 team that won 116 games and still lost in the playoffs.

Not to mention having (during that period but not the same time) Randy Johnson, Alex Rodriguez, and Ichiro Suzuki.

Similar to the Indians the Mariners won 113 games, loss 3-1 to the Yankees in the first round.

6 1986-1989 Houston Rockets

The Rockets had upset the defending champion Lakers in 1986 to reach the NBA Finals. While they would lose to the dominant Celtics in six games, their future was bright, especially with the twin towers of Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson. But, injuries and drug-related suspensions ended all hopes of a title run in the next few seasons. It wouldn't be until 1994 when Houston finally won a title.

7 1969-1978 Minnesota Vikings

Before the Buffalo Bills lost four Super Bowls, there were the Minnesota Vikings. In a ten-year span, they dominated the NFL competition with a fierce defensive line and incredible mobility from Fran Tarkenton. However, they fell in four Super Bowls. Perhaps it was because the weather was warmer when they appeared in each one.

With all the talent and fantastic seasons that the Vikings have had over the years, they should definitely have at least a couple Super Bowls by now. The fact that they don't is mind boggling. They are probably the most successful sports franchise in North America that hasn't won a championship.

The Minnesota Vikings lost the opportunity to play the Super Bowl LII in their own stadium on 2018. Instead, Philadelphia Eagles won against New England Patriots.

8 1995-2000 Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers had the Legion of Doom line led by captain Eric Lindros during this period and had produced championship-caliber contenders in a span of six years. Yet, they managed one Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 1997 losing in four straight to the Red Wings.

The duo of Lindros and LeClair was great but in 97, no one who came out of the East was beating the Red Wings. Detroit finally vanquished their Colorado foes and nothing was stopping them when they reached the Finals. We were unfortunately the ones that got in their way.

9 1990-1992 Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh had three chances to reach the World Series in between 1990-1992. But they would lose each time in the NLCS. Twice, they played in a winner-take-all Game 7 and twice they lost, including a heartbreaking 1992 finish.

That loss to the Braves in 1992 caused the franchise to become arguably the worst team in the major leagues for the next two decades.

10 1907-1909 Detroit Tigers

Detroit made it to three straight World Series in the late 1900's decade. But each time, they failed to give Ty Cobb a championship losing twice to the Cubs and once to the Pirates.

The Contenders
11 1996-1998 Utah Jazz

They we're the best in the west. It just that they ran into Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
Its Joeysworld

12 1986-2011 Virginia Tech
13 2009-2018 Alabama Crimson Tide
14 2004-2006 Phoenix Suns
15 2017-2018 Cleveland Cavaliers
16 2012-2018 Washington Nationals

They potentially wasted a once in a generation talent in Bryce Harper. Good job Nationals

17 2011-2014 Detroit Tigers
18 2010-2012 Green Bay Packers

In a way, this team could have had an Aaron Rodgers dynasty with all the talent they had in this span. They actually had a modern offense and a great defense. Unfortunately, after Nick Collins' injury, the defense was never the same. People started leaving and getting older, and the chances just fell apart. Oh, what it could have been.

19 2012-2018 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
20 2015-2018 Oklahoma Sooners Football
21 2008-2013 Boston Celtics
22 2007 Colorado Rockies

They weren't a dynasty afterwards. That was a one-year deal.

23 1985-1991 Calgary Flames

Sure they won a Cup in 1989, however they were good enough to win many more. Had they not been in the same division as Edmonton or face them in the playoffs multiple times over, or even lose to Montreal in the 1986 Stanley Cup Finals, they could probably have two or three more Stanley Cup titles than they currently do.

24 2010-2014 Oregon Ducks
25 2012-2013 Los Angeles Lakers

This is one season. One season doesn't qualify as a dynasty.

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