Which Boston Pro Team Has the Best Outlook in 3-5 Years?

Everyone knows the Boston sports teams have had a lot of success since 2000. The Patriots (3 Super Bowl titles and an unbeaten season), Red Sox (2 World Series titles), Celtics (1 NBA title), and Bruins (playoffs 6/8 years and 2 division titles) have all (minus the B's) been the best in the league at least once over that span. But which team is in line to be at the top in the next 3-5 years?

Bruins-
Just became the 3rd team in NHL history to blow a series in which they had a 3-0 lead, falling to the Flyers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. They would have had home ice in the Conference Finals against Montreal with a great chance of making it back to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1990.

Good news: They have the #2 pick coming up in the draft. If healthy they have the best center depth (Savard, Krejci, Bergeron) in the NHL. Tuukka Rask appears to be the real deal in net.

Bad news: Ownership. A 2nd round playoff loss is fine with them as long as they are making money. Fact. Don't have a scoring wing to pair with Savard.

Celtics-
Won the title in 2008 then lost in 7 games (without Garnett) in the 2009 Conference Semifinals to the team that won the East. Right now they have a 2-0 series lead over the Magic in the Conference Finals with Game 3 this Saturday night in Boston.

Good news: They have 1 of the top 3 (Deron Williams and Chris Paul better watch out) point guards in the game and they have him for years to come at a great price. Rajon Rondo is their guy, and they need to find him some running mates for the future.

Bad news: Age. Pierce, Ray Allen, KG, Rasheed are all playing great right now, and who knows maybe even next season. But the question is 3-5 years. KG still has a couple years left on his contract as (unfortunately) so does Sheed. Ray Allen is a free agent and Pierce has a player option which he will undoubtedly pick up. Even if they resign Ray and Pierce, what's the window? Not to mention they could be looking for a new coach.

Red Sox-
Can't seem to get out of their own way thru a couple of months in 2010. The offense looks good one night but the pitching lets them down then vice verse. Victor Martinez can't catch, Mike Lowell wants out, Josh Beckett is on the DL, and Daisuke is Daisuke. The team is 3 years removed from a World Series win, and last year were swept out of the playoffs by the Angels, who never beat the Sox in October.

Good news: Starting rotation? Lester, Lackey, Beckett, Buchholz, and Matsuzaka should keep them in games throughout the season, should. Pedroia and Youkilis have long term contracts and good seasons left in them.

Bad news: No Mark Teixeira/ no power. They dealt Manny Ramirez for Jason Bay and now have Jeremy Hermida starting in LF. Ortiz has shown some power this year, but I wouldn't count on it in 3-5 months let alone 3-5 years. Jonathan Papelbon's 1 pitch is not as effective as it used to be. Theo Epstein wears disguises to Pearl Jam concerts. Also, Yankees & Rays.

Patriots-
The Pats have had a winning record in each of the past 9 seasons and at least 10 wins in 8. 2004 was the last Super Bowl, but they did go 18-0 before a ridiculous play cost them a Super Bowl win in 2007. Then the Matt Cassel year happened, and then last year where they were embarrassed by the Ravens in the playoffs.

Good news: Tom Brady has 3-5 years left in him. The drafts have been getting better, so for the "where will they be in 3-5 years question," that's a positive. Bill Belichick is still one of the best coaches in the game, it's true. It's near impossible to stay on top in the NFL, the Pats and Colts are basically the only teams that have figured it out.

Bad news: Free agent signings have not been their thing. Joey Galloway, Greg Lewis, Shawn Springs, etc., etc.

It is hard to say which team is in the best situation for the future, but it's always hard to count out the Patriots when they have Brady and Belichick working for them. Right now I would also probably put the Celtics #2 because of Rajon Rondo.

What do you think? Hit up the comment section or send an e-mail to sportsbrief@gmail.com

-Keefe

Machida vs. Shogun II at UFC 113

The UFC's Light Heavyweight Title is on the line this Saturday night in Montreal. The Champion Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida faces Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in a much anticipated rematch.

Check out the story from BostonThrowdown.com to see why the belt will change hands.

Why Shogun Will Beat Machida