You're with a group of friends. Someone starts into a conversation about sports dynasties and inevitably, New York Yankees are automatically a part and parcel of the very first line. The topic switches to famous coaches and Vince Lombardi pops up on everyone's list. Doesn't matter if it's the Ming Dynasty of ancient China or a sports dynasty of modern America, a true dynasty dominates. It completely obliterates. It takes unwavering control, choking the life out of all who challenge it for superiority. If you're willing to look at it that way, then nothing and nobody can compare with the amazing John Wooden orchestrated dominance the UCLA Bruins held over all comers during a string of 10 NCAA basketball seasons. As for the Yankees, it's one thing to say things like, "They'll always be there" or "They always seem to find a way" doesn't stack up. The Yanks had to find a way to rule over an eight team league for a pennant or the best another eight had to offer for a series title. The Bruins started evey season knowing somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 teams were looking to gun them down. Over a dozen years from 1964 to 1975, "the Bruin Era", only Texas Western near the beginning and N.C. State during the decline, ever managed to pull it off. For an amazing run from '67 to '73 UCLA was unstoppable. For those seven years it was about more than just winning the Final Four. It was full season records, dominating the regionals, and rolling right over the unfortunate championship game opposition. No matter who that might have been. The Bruins were merciless. The John Wooden coached team numbers over those 12 years defy criticism. Only five losses over the course of their seven year championship reign. Four undefeated seasons of 30 and 0 basketball. An 88 game winning streak involving four seasons. 38 straight NCAA tournament victories. And, for seven straight championship finals, not even allowing the opponent a sniff of victory. There's about as much chance of these records being toppled as another Ming in China. |
