Greater post-2000 dynasty: Spurs or Patriots? (poll)

Greatest sports dynasty of the 21st Century: New England Patriots or San Antonio Spurs?

The Patriots didn’t need a fourth Super Bowl title to become the NFL’s top team of the past 15 years. But they got it Sunday, making history in the process, by beating the Seahawks.

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The Steelers (six), 49ers and Cowboys (five each) own more Super Bowl championships, but of that group, only the Steelers have won titles after New England started its run in 2001.

The Patriots’ fourth title occurred eight months after the Spurs won their fifth, with San Antonio’s run starting in 1999.

The Lakers also have won five NBA titles during the stretch, but the Spurs have been more consistent, not missing the playoffs since winning the first title.

Common to both: One coach throughout the period — Bill Belichick and Gregg Popovich — and a seemingly ageless superstar — Tom Brady and Tim Duncan.

Another link is the crushing nature of championship losses. The David Tyree catch in the Patriots’ Super Bowl loss to the Giants in 2008, compares painfully to the Spurs blowing a five-point lead in the final 28 seconds against the Miami Heat in game six of the 2013 Finals, which led to the deciding game loss.

The Patriots and Spurs have never rebuilt as much as they’ve regenerated. They’ve cut loose popular players and drafted intellegently. And as much as any franchise in their leagues, both rely on a team concept. In both cases, peers rave about the work ethic.

And they measure success in trophies and rings.

This story was originally published February 2, 2015 at 12:40 PM with the headline "Greater post-2000 dynasty: Spurs or Patriots? (poll)."