Top 10 Cities in a Sports Slump

Slimdust

10) Cincinnati - The Bengals' off-field issues have been embarrassing for the city, and now the team is losing, making for a long fall in the Queen City. The Reds haven't provided much relief, wallowing near the bottom of the NL Central for a few years now.

9) Seattle- The Sonics are threatening to move if they don't get a new franchise, and the way they're playing these days, that might not be a bad thing. The Seahawks came close to winning a Super Bowl, but haven't looked like contenders the last two years. The Mariners are also good, but can't seem to take it to the next level.

8) L.A - They still don't have an NFL team, but that's not the problem. The Lakers have become a bit of a joke because of the Kobe Bryant soap opera. The Clippers' recent promise has evaporated, with Elton Brand out for the season. The Dodgers seem to be stuck being good but not great. And the city's crown jewel, the USC football program, has finally shown signs of vulnerability this season.

7) Washington D.C. - The Nationals and Capitals are bad, and the Wizards haven't been a championship contender since Wes Unseld retired. None of that matters that much in D.C., where the sports world revolves around the Redskins. And ever since Daniel Snyder took over, `Skins faithful have been disappointed by big offseason spending and in-season let-downs.

6) New York City - Even though there are some winning teams, the headlines are filled with the Knicks' front-office issues and the Yankees' bloated payroll and their recent split with Joe Torre. The Mets had a historic collapse this season, the Rangers are struggling despite spending lots of money in the offseason, and the Jets' collapse balances out any success the Giants are having.

5) Minneapolis-St. Paul- Even though Kevin Garnett was never going to lead the Timberwolves to a title, fans are taking his loss hard, since there's little reason to follow hoops right now. That leaves the Vikings, who have quickly developed into an NFL also-ran, and the Twins, who are always good but can't muster the payroll to keep their talented players.

4) Cleveland - Finally, the Indians were about to go back to the World Series for the first time since 1997, but they couldn't hold on against the Red Sox. But fans' expect that from this team, which hasn't won a championship since 1948. The Browns haven't been any better. Since they returned to Cleveland in 1999, they've had just one winning season. That leaves the city's sports' hopes on Lebron James' shoulders. All Cleveland fans pray he'll never leave the Cavs for the bright lights of a bigger city.

3) Buffalo- The Bills used to break everyone's heart by reaching the Super Bowl and losing. Now, they simply disappoint fans year in and year out. To add insult to injury, the team wants to move one home game a year to Toronto. At least they have the Sabres, who last won a Stanley cup ... never.

2) Atlanta- The city's biggest sports hero, Michael Vick, is facing jail time for dogfighting and his Falcons are one of the worst teams in the NFL. The Braves have failed to make the postseason two straight years after 14 trips to the playoffs. And the Hawks' only luck has come in the lottery, but they consistently take the wrong guy at the top of the draft.

1)Philadelphia- No four-professional-team city has gone as long as Philly without winning a title. There hasn't been a championship parade on Broad Street since Moses Malone led the Sixers to the 1982-83 title. The Eagles came close in 2004, but fell to the Patriots in the Super Bowl. The Phillies reached the postseason this year for the first time since 1993. And the Flyers have been consistent regular-season performers who instantly melt down in the playoffs. Local hero Smarty Jones almost won the Triple Crown, but like the pro teams, couldn't seal the deal, finishing second in the Belmont Stakes after winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/mul...content.1.html

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

Meanwhile.. Boston has the Pats who are undefeated, BC who are undefeated, the Red Sox in the World Series, Garnett, Pierce, and Allen on the C's, and even the Bruins have a fucking winning record.

Crocker

You missed out Sheffield

Swamps

Man Atlanta has been hurting big time. Even when the Braves were making it to the playoffs it would seem like they would go through the motions with the exception of 1995. It was as if they constantly fell out of sync. They won two streight NL Pennants in the early nintys and imo should have beaten the Twins but the Blue Jays team that beat them the next year was just awesome. Then miss out on the series the next year losing to the Philies and then the strike year. In 1995 gave ATL the World Series title when David Justice's solo home run was the only run in Game Six against the Indians. Then made the Series again in 1996 and gave the damn thing away... AGAIN!!! Then it was make it to the NLCS and go home and then it became NLDS and go home.. and now its go home at the end of the season....

Man, The Falcons are just awful this season and the man that was supposed to give ATL hope was injured Sunday. You have players criticing the coach (who imo will not be there after next season if he isn't gone by the end of this season) on top of things. And Arthur Blank isn't helping things by the way he babies the players. Allow the coach to GATA and back off... Its as if this team is destined to fail... Coach Reeves come back and save us... 1998 was so long ago...

Jayman

Super Moderator

Hey Blade, don't forget about Detroit:

We have one of the top hockey teams, the Pistons have kicked ass the past few years, the Tigers made the Series last year and came close to getting in the playoffs this year, and even the Lions are above .500 right now. Woo!!!

Necro

VIP Room Moderator

boston was due lol 90's was pretty tough.

Dr. Giganto

Buffalo and Cleveland are by far the worst.

Here are a few things not mentioned:

Buffalo - Bills had wide right in the Super Bowl, and the Music City Miracle. Apparently there was a bad call by the refs when the Sabres made the Stanley Cup Finals a few years ago. The Bills havent made the playoffs since 1999, they've lost two games this year on last second field goals, including the Dallas stunner. Plus, the city lost its NBA franchise in the 70's, and missed out on getting an MLB expansion team in the late '90's.

Not to mention, the city is in economic disarray, it really has little to pride itself on besides the Bills and Sabres. Ihave a lot of friends from the Buffalo, and they are all obsessed with the Bills and Sabres. My one friend can tell you everybody on the Bills practice squad...the fucking practice squad!!!

Cleveland had "the fumble" and "the drive". And most importantly, swarms of bugs covering the city is apparently a regular occurence...

Joe Cool

Administrator

Why is San Fransisco not on this list?

Slimdust

lol wow, thats a good question. Maybe because of the 49ers in the 90's but that was a long time ago now...

Suntan Superman

WC's Resident Samoan

Because the Niners won in '95 I thought... that was 12 years ago though... hmmm but why is LA on this list, they have teh Lakers