This has been the talk around sports for some time now. There's been constant debate around which team has had the better streak of wins. The defending champions Miami Heat have won 16 games in a row are 45-14 and clearly the best team in the NBA. The Chicago Blackhawks have won 24 games in a row in the NHL giving them a 20-0-3 record and best record in hockey.
I'll say this right now and get it out of the way. For those that know me, I'm not a hockey fan. I barely watch the sport, but after hearing about these 24 games in a row, I actually took the time out to look through some of the Blackhawks games so I can provide an unbiased opinion on the subject.
24 games in a row is an impressive streak without question. Especially in a lockout shortened season when it was beginning to look like there would be no hockey at all. I'm sure most of the die hard fans out there didn't expect Chicago to have an unprecedented streak of this magnitude. Their offense can get up and down the ice and they have the best goalie tandem in Corey Crawford and Roy Emery. Crawford is actually allowing a league low 1.41 goals per game. This team is a well put together athletic unit. They've beaten damn near every good team, but how long can it really last? This streak has become so historic, and the pressure is on, so it'll be interesting to see if they can keep it up. But, here is one HUGE factor people are overlooking. The Blackhawks technically LOST 3 games in overtime to Anaheim, Minnesota, and Vancouver. This streak should've ended before it got started. This is one of many flaws of the NHL. I want to see Wins and Losses. There should be no points awarded for losing in Overtime. Their system needs fixing. A loss should be a loss.
Although, The Heat's record isn't even in the best in the NBA this season, they've actually outright won all their games blowing out the weak teams, and more importantly the good teams like the Knicks, Clippers, Memphis, and OKC. Lebron is the best player in the NBA right now, they have a solid bench, support players in his partners D-Wade, Bosh, Haslem, and Chalmers, and great role players like Ray Allen, Shane Battier, and now Birdman. Basketball is a team sport, regardless of what people seem to think. The argument people have come up with is that Miami has superstars and they were expected to be this good. That is not a fair argument to make. Multiple teams in the NBA have superstars on their team. Only the Heat have learned what works for them and propelled that into a 16 game winning streak and best record in Basketball. They're the most complete finesse team that can get up and down the court. They may not get physical on defense, but they can lock down some players when they get the chance.
In the end, there is no right, or wrong answer. But I am going with the Miami Heat for a few reasons. For starters, the Blackhawks lost those three games. That's argument enough. However, I'm looking at this long term. How will these streaks benefit both teams when they get to the playoffs? It's pretty much a foregone conclusion that Miami will get back to the NBA Finals with Indiana as the only team in the Eastern Conference physical enough to stop them. The Blackhawks streak is impressive but there's no guarantee they'll make the Stanley Cup. Hell, it's not even certain that they'll even win their first round playoff match. What the Miami Heat are doing now will carry over to the playoffs, the Chicago Blackhawks streak becomes irrelevant come playoff time.
I think the NBA is better than the NHL, but I'll admit that it is harder to win in the NHL than the NBA. When playoff time comes around, these streaks will be forgotten and playoff performance will be front and center. If Chicago loses in the first round, this streak will be their only season highlight. What the Miami Heat are doing now will carry over to the playoffs. I can't say the same for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Get back to me in late June.
Both teams play again on Friday looking to extend their streaks. The Heat host the Sixers, and the Blackhawks go on the road to face struggling Colorado. I'll be keeping an eye on this one.
Feel free to Comment.
By: Gerald "Showstopper" Prophete
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