Most hyped single-season teams

[SabresRule]

In sports, some teams will get a lot of hype than usual in a specific season because of off-season moves, additions, or acquisitions (i.e. adding a big-name player or coach), which can lead to media hype about their championship likelihood.

What are some examples of such teams that you can recall?

I'll start off with two NBA examples- the 2007-08 Celtics and 2003-04 Lakers.

Both teams made big off-season acquisitions to improve their team (Karl Malone and Gary Payton; Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen)

They were considered championship favorites; while both teams won their respective conference titles, that's where the similarities ended, for these two teams were polar opposites in terms of team chemistry.

 

[Jimbo]

The NEW YORK yankees EVERY YEAR

 

[AntAltMike]

The Washington Redskins every time Danny-Boy signs an overpriced has-been.

 

[AntAltMike]

The 1968-1969 Lakers, after they signed Wilt Chamberlain to play alongside Elgin Baylor and Jerry West.

 

[salsadancer7]

Last years Cleveland Cavs. They were supposed to easily be in the FINALS. And this years team is even better....and the hype is less.

 

[Lkr]

03-04 Lakers for sure
2007 New England Patriots
2004 New York Yankees

 

[SabresRule]

Salsa, I can throw in one of your teams- the 04-05 Heat (year one of Shaq and D-Wade)

 

[Skyhi]

The NEW YORK yankees EVERY YEAR

Good one!

 

[salsadancer7]

Salsa, I can throw in one of your teams- the 04-05 Heat (year one of Shaq and D-Wade)

They were NO WHERE NEAR overhyped like last years Cavs. The HEAT were expected to make the Eastern Conference Finals....which they did. The Cavs were expected to win the NBA championship....they were penciled in as the champs before the season even started.

Like I mentioned....this years team is BETTER and than last year and they are getting nowhere near the hype.

 

[hancox]

99 dook Blue Devils. Yes, a great team, but not head and shoulders above everyone to the degree most thought (Dookie V was calling the NCAA tourney the "dook invitational" that year)

 

[salsadancer7]

Might as well throw in some of those Big 12 Nebraska, Texas and Oklahoma teams that many people that were "the greatest college football team ever esembled".

 

[HD MM]

Without a doubt, Michigan's Fab Five.

It was the greatest class ever recruited for NCAA Basketball and they never won a Championship.

 

[meStevo]

Much to my dismay a couple of the Vermiel-led Chiefs teams were hyped to death, with Jaws or someone going so far as to always have a 'Chiefs blueprint to the Super Bowl' with him at every telecast to point to.

 

[Paul Wozniak]

Without a doubt, Michigan's Fab Five.

It was the greatest class ever recruited for NCAA Basketball and they never won a Championship.

Two trips to the finals, the first with all freshmen starting. Over-hyped? Maybe, still was quite an accomplishment for that era.

 

[Paul Wozniak]

Last years Cleveland Cavs. They were supposed to easily be in the FINALS. And this years team is even better....and the hype is less.

Not so sure this team is any better. Haven't won anything yet. You are correct in your assessment of last year's team.

 

[HD MM]

Two trips to the finals, the first with all freshmen starting. Over-hyped? Maybe, still was quite an accomplishment for that era.

Good point. Not too shabby.

 

[Paul Wozniak]

Let me add; in Weber's case, maybe over-payed.

 

[salsadancer7]

Two trips to the finals, the first with all freshmen starting. Over-hyped? Maybe, still was quite an accomplishment for that era.

Personally, I think that will NEVER happend again. I liked that team. But it ALSO showed how much OVER HYPED recruiting is. ONLY Webber and to a certain extent, Jalen Rose had a decent NBA career.

 

[SandraC]

Don't forget, we can also thank the Fab-Five for getting those shorty-shorts out of the game!

Their recruiting had NCAA hype, not NBA. Speaking of which, are people aware Juwan Howard is the only one still playing (in Portland)?


Sandra

 

[salsadancer7]

Don't forget, we can also thank the Fab-Five for getting those shorty-shorts out of the game!

Their recruiting had NCAA hype, not NBA. Speaking of which, are people aware Juwan Howard is the only one still playing (in Portland)?


Sandra

Yeah....I saw that the other day. 6-10 guys, if healthy....are like decent lefthanded relief pitcher.