18-1

Three weeks ago, Bill Simmons wrote one of the most absurd columns ever comparing the '86 Boston Celtics ('86 NBA champs and an all-time great team) to the 2008 Patriots (18-0 at this point).

The more apt comparison would've been:

2008 Patriots = 2002 Rams
2008 Giants = 2002 Patriots

*I thought of this prior to Superbowl 42 and Bill makes note of it in his latest column

He also contrasted his post-Superbowl 42 defeat column to his post-Superbowl 36 victory column. Both columns have the same two opening paragraphs about the pain of your favorite team never winning the big one.


Puh-lease.

While it's not easy being a die-hard sports fan, it pales in comparison to the pain felt by a combat-sports fan. Team sports are ultimately cyclic; the worst team will eventually become the best team and vice versa. Meanwhile there's a good chance that your favorite fighter will never win the "big one". Fighters also have a limited time frame where they're in their prime before they undergo an inevitable decline. And even if your fighter wins the big one, the balance of probabilities says that they're bound to lose the title. In a worst case scenario, that said fighter gets their ass beat.


Imagine this happening to your hero.

*Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira dropping the Pride Heavyweight title to Fedor Emelianenko after getting his ass beat for 20 minutes. Nogueira never regained the undisputed title

Dolphins