I really think this sports cliche needs to stop: "[team] deserved to win the championship"

Estil

I have often heard over and over whenever a team wins a championship (most recent occurrence was the Super Bowl) the commentators or even the commish himself will say something along the lines of "[insert team name] deserved this championship" (or some variation thereof). I really don't get this; when does a team not deserve the championship??? The only time I can think of off the top of my head was in the 1972 Olympics when the US was cheated out of a gold medal in basketball (which the Soviets got instead), and even almost forty years later, not ONE of those US players has accepted their silver medal (go on Wikipedia if you want to know the whole story).

Now, other than that incident, and of course when a player/team is later disqualified (such as 'roids in the Olympics or NCAA violations), when is there ever a time when a team wins the national/world championship, and they don't deserve it? My point is, it just seems so redundant and so cliche to say when the trophy is presented to the team that "they deserved it", you know what I mean?

TheVon

Depending upon who you ask, many people would say that the Yankees don't "deserve" their recent championships.

Boopotts

<< <i>I have often heard over and over whenever a team wins a championship (most recent occurrence was the Super Bowl) the commentators or even the commish himself will say something along the lines of "[insert team name] deserved this championship" (or some variation thereof). I really don't get this; when does a team not deserve the championship??? >>



When that team is KU, and the championship in question is for men's basketball.

ripkenintheminors

As a fan of Indianapolis I got rather irked with the Super Bowl. I understand that Katrina was a horrible situation for the people of New Orleans. However, people that tried to guilt others for cheering for Indy got on my nerves. To say a team deserves a title means you are also saying that the other team does not deserve a championship. Of course a lot of people that cheer for who "deserves" to win typically know little to nothing about the game to begin with. When I brought up that Garcon was from Haiti many of the same people cheering against Indy said they would cheer for both teams equal. LOL

Blacklabelsociety

<< <i>Depending upon who you ask, many people would say that the Yankees don't "deserve" their recent championships. >>



MLB needs to have equal revenue sharing like the other major sports. Until that happens, a team like the yankees will always "buy" a championship.

Mercury10c

The team that plays the best and scores the most points deserves to with.
All other factors are bullcrap.

Estil

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<< <i>Depending upon who you ask, many people would say that the Yankees don't "deserve" their recent championships. >>



MLB needs to have equal revenue sharing like the other major sports. Until that happens, a team like the yankees will always "buy" a championship. >>



ALWAYS buy a championship? Where were they in 2001-08? Except for the Red Sox in 2004 and 2007, a different team won every World Series in that time period. And very often the World Series runner-up was a different team too.

Brick

If there was revenue sharing. If all teams had the same payroll. New York would still get the best players. Where would you want to play? Endorsements would be better in larger markets. Long before free agency the yankees were dominant. There is more prestige in being a Yankee.

Blacklabelsociety

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>Depending upon who you ask, many people would say that the Yankees don't "deserve" their recent championships. >>



MLB needs to have equal revenue sharing like the other major sports. Until that happens, a team like the yankees will always "buy" a championship. >>



ALWAYS buy a championship? Where were they in 2001-08? Except for the Red Sox in 2004 and 2007, a different team won every World Series in that time period. And very often the World Series runner-up was a different team too. >>



In the last 20 years which team has won the most championships? Both the yankees AND Red sox always seem to make the playoffs. Teams like the Orioles, Pirates, Royals, and reds have little chance to win in this day and age. Unlike the NFL, where the small market teams often dominate because every team has a fair chance.

bking

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>Depending upon who you ask, many people would say that the Yankees don't "deserve" their recent championships. >>



MLB needs to have equal revenue sharing like the other major sports. Until that happens, a team like the yankees will always "buy" a championship. >>



ALWAYS buy a championship? Where were they in 2001-08? Except for the Red Sox in 2004 and 2007, a different team won every World Series in that time period. And very often the World Series runner-up was a different team too. >>



Is it really even debatable any more that at least 3-4 of the top 5 spending teams make the playoffs almost every year? Sure, you can't simply buy a championship, but the fact that you can "spend in depth" does two things: it gives you more capable backups in case of injury, and it allows you to make mistakes that other teams can't afford. Half the teams in the league would be crippled if they signed a Pavano, for example, and got nothing from him.The Yankees just go "oh well" and sign someone else.

TomGshotput

<< <i>To say a team deserves a title means you are also saying that the other team does not deserve a championship. >>



Exactly. Only New Orleans played well enough to deserve the title, the other 31 teams did not. Or else they would have won

The point is that it is saying a bunch of words that really add nothing, along the lines of "it is what it is"

jdip9

<<<When that team is KU, and the championship in question is for men's basketball.>>>

I think you meant UK?

When I first read the title of this thread, I thought you were going to talk about when the LOSING team (usually it's fans) say, "we deserved to win that championship, we were the better team".

Yes, clearly the winning team deserves to win (except the '72 Soviets)...

bigfische

1990 colorado football doesn't deserve their national title claim.

DeutscherGeist

That 1972 Olympic final in basketball was huge. From what I recall, the referee or game official added time to the clock and that's what gave the Soviets the advantage. It was not the Soviet players getting away with anything devious. They had nothing to do with it. Bad calls are made all the time. Its part of the game. Both USA and USSR were subjected to the same conditions.

Now, if you claim the Soviets bribed an official, then I guess we can say "scandal." It showed poor sportsmanship of the USA to not graciously accept the silver medals. Winning is not everything. It was more important to show modesty and be humble. Let the coaches or organizational leader handle any protests with the officiating. The players needed to show that they were gracious athletes--taking the high road.

Estil

Well, they did it in the ALCS again, with Eckersley commenting on how "they [Rangers] deserve it [the AL title]". Well yeah, as long as the team won it fair and square, of course they "deserve" it!

Mickey71

Just some off the top of my head.

1. Roy Jones deserved the gold medal in boxing.
2. The Sacramento Kings deserved to beat the Lakers in the Western Conference final like 8 years ago or so. (Tim Donaghy)
3. The Sonics deserved to stay in Seattle. ---The NBA has out priced itself with the arenas and such.
4. 1972 Basketball USA.
5. Ted Williams deserved more MVP's as well did Michael Jordan.
6. Guys like Ewing, Olajuwon and Robinson deserve a much better place in history. They were fantastic players and could really shoot the ball for big men. The centers today are all very one dimensional...including Howard. Most have no low post game at all.
7. Ray Guy deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. A punter has always been a position on a team and from all accounts he was the best ever.

Estil

Actually I did do a topic several months back on who should be the first punter in the NFL HOF. I think there's still only one kicker.