While many sports journalists and fans alike are quick to say this is the end of three of the most hated dynasties at once (Alabama football, Golden State Warriors, and New England Patriots), it seems almost too coincidental for all three dynasties to end at the same time. While this does not mean they are not all over, taking a closer look at it shows that they all just had or are having a down year.
The Case for Alabama
It makes sense why many people are quick to knock Alabama. After ruling the last decade and winning five National Championships in seven attempts since 2009, they went 11-2 and missed the College Football Playoff for the first time in its six year of existence. They did not even make a New Year’s Six Bowl, but instead settled for a Citrus Bowl matchup against Michigan, which they won.
One case for the end of the dynasty is Alabama no longer leads the recruiting rankings. Clemson edges them out for the 2020 season and has twice as many 5-star recruits as the Tide.
Another case for Alabama is their “weak schedule” finally caught up to them. They played three teams that finished the regular season ranked, and only beat one and that was in the bowl game. The SEC West was notably weak this year, and it showed when Alabama played better teams.
From the eye test, this year did not seem like a typical Alabama team. Their defense did not seem to be the smashmouth defense that fans got used to seeing in years past. Nick Saban also did not seem to have this team nearly as disciplined as in years past.
The Case for the Warriors
The argument for the Golden State Warriors dynasty being over is simple: they lost Kevin Durant and are getting older, oh and they traded away 2015 Finals MVP Andre Iguodala. Kawhi Leonard helped “end” a third dynasty last spring (2010-2014 Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, 2015-2019 Warriors), and the injury bug was too much for the Warriors to overcome in the postseason.
The Warriors are coming off five straight trips to the NBA Finals and three Larry O’Brien trophies, but it seems like it would take more than a miracle for them to even make it back to the playoffs this year. They are a young team and cannot seem to stay healthy and have been consistently missing four former All-Stars all at once.
The Case for the Patriots
Tom Brady is a free agent for the first time in his career, and this is what many people are zeroing in on. Brady brought six Super Bowl titles and 17 AFC East Championships to this dynasty, but many people think he will jump ship after he voiced his frustrations about the offense this year multiple times throughout the season.
One case that can be made is Brady was visibly frustrated with his offense during the Wild Card game this past weekend against the Tennessee Titans. He threw a deep ball for rookie wide receiver N’Keal Harry, who probably would have had a big catch to potentially change the game had he not slowed his route down, and Brady chewed into him for it.
Brady also said in the press conference he “probably” would not retire, which shows he is likely at least mulling over retiring this offseason. He is 42 and is not getting any younger, plus he has a wife and kids at home.
The Patriots also played on Wild Card Weekend for the first time in 10 seasons, and they suffered a loss just like the last time they played on Wild Card Weekend. Many people may think they have lost their touch after nine straight seasons of getting a first-round bye and missing the Super Bowl after three straight trips and four in five years.
The Patriots also finished the regular season 3-3 against teams in the playoffs, with the three losses coming to the three AFC division winners. They typically play up to their opponents, and they also do not usually lose a game in Foxborough in December or January, in which they lost three times in those two months. They also do not usually lose to division opponents at home, and they lost to the 5-11 Dolphins to end the regular season, which is why they played on Wild Card Weekend.
Why the dynasties might not be over
These dynasties have lasted for a combined 36 years already, but they cannot be deemed over based off one season. Rather, they may just be minor setbacks for major comebacks.
For Alabama, part of it comes to the irony of their three losses this calendar year, and irony is what a lot of people like to talk about when it comes to these dynasties. The irony is all three of Alabama’s losses last calendar year were to schools with the nickname “Tigers.” When Alabama was not playing a team nicknamed the Tigers, they were in good shape.
They also have the number two recruiting class behind Clemson for 2020, which is the second time in three years they have not been number one. Projected first round quarterback Tua Tagovailoa declared for the draft yesterday, but have the number one quarterback in the class of 2020 coming in. They also have their best defensive player in linebacker Dylan Moses returning from injury for his senior season.
Also, the last time Alabama lost to Auburn and LSU in the same season was in 2010, and they defeated the other Big Ten team from Michigan in the Capital One Bowl, which is now the Citrus Bowl. The next season, they won the National Championship.
For the Warriors, Klay Thompson is out for the year, Stephen Curry is out for most of the year, Draymond Green has been in and out of the lineup, and 2019 All-Star D’Angelo Russell has been hurt off and on this year. While injuries are a part of the game, missing four former All-Stars all at once will not help this team succeed this year. However, because of them being out, many bench players are playing significant minutes this year, which means they should be ready to step in and play a bigger role even when their minutes are significantly reduced next year when the starting lineup is back to normal.
The Warriors have also been in talks of acquiring two-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns via trade, which may mean they have to give up Russell and one or two of those aforementioned bench pieces, or their 2020 first round pick, but they would have a starting lineup next year that includes Curry, Thompson, Green and Towns, which is a lineup that can shoot and the latter three have a knack for defense at their positions.
They might also have the number one pick (if it is not included in a Towns trade), and are projected to be in the top six, which means they can draft a center like James Wiseman or a small forward like Jaden McDaniels to form a formidable starting lineup. And while this team is not getting any younger, Russell is 23 and Towns is 24, so pairing either of them up with their potential lottery pick and/or their young players like Eric Paschall and Glen Robinson III could help spark a quick retool to help keep the dynasty going.
For the Patriots, they seem to be the most likely of these teams to have their dynasty finished at the start of this decade. Their dynasty has been going strong for 20 years, bringing about 17 division titles, nine conference championships and six Super Bowl rings. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have been at the forefront of it all.
People are quick to assume this may have been Tom Brady’s last ride, but he is also coming off two Super Bowl titles in three years, so it is difficult to say he is done quite yet. The fans love Brady, and while he will not take a hometown discount anymore, he wants to play until 45, and it is difficult to see him in any other jersey. Owner Robert Kraft loves Brady and has even chosen him over quarterbacks like Indianapolis Colts starter Jacoby Brissett and San Francisco 49ers starter Jimmy Garoppolo, so he could do everything in his power to keep Brady in town for his final years if he does not retire this offseason.
Whether or not Tom Brady leaves the Patriots, they still have a lot of work to do on the offensive side of the ball. Second year running back Sony Michel ran for less than 1,000 yards, the only consistent starter at wide receiver was Julian Edelman and there was a noticeably gaping hole at tight end without Rob Gronkowski.
This year’s draft is deep with wide receivers, and the Patriots have had a knack for finding quarterback gems on days two and three, namely Brady, Brissett and Garoppolo, need they replace Brady this offseason. Belichick is also still there for the time being, and he and New England have been the perfect match since day one. He has been the perfect coach for them, and Brady has been the perfect quarterback for them.
Overall, only time will tell whether these three dynasties are truly over, but it seems coincidental that all three of them would end at the same time, and people are quick to degrade something they hate. They are quick to cheer for the downfall of the dynasties, but the dynasties also give them something to cheer against and more reason to watch a game even if their team is not playing.
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