We heard former Stribber and current SI.com football writer Don Banks talking about his rankings of all 32 NFL teams for this decade the other day on KFAN. Naturally, it got us thinking about candidates for team of the decade across the four major pro sports (3.5 if you want to take a cheap shot at the NHL). There are some contingencies in play here, seeing as how the decade is not quite over. But this is how it stands right now, in our eyes, in terms of a top 10:

1) Los Angeles Lakers: Assuming they finish off this year’s NBA title, that would give them four titles and two runner-up finishes this decade. That’s more championships and more championship appearances than any other team would have. True, they had a little lull and missed the playoffs once (2005), but if your main definition is championships and title appearances, this is your team.

2) New England Patriots: One could argue that three Super Bowl wins, one Super Bowl loss, an undefeated season and other such things are more impressive in the NFL than in the NBA. But let’s not forget: the Patriots have missed the playoffs three times this decade — strange, but true (2000, 2002 and 2008). If you want to argue that most of the Lakers’ damage was done in the early part of the decade, remember that the Patriots haven’t won a Super Bowl since after the 2004 season.

3) San Antonio Spurs: The very definition of consistency. Three NBA titles, a playoff berth every season and no fewer than 53 wins every year this decade.

4) Detroit Red Wings: They’ve had their share of playoff flops, but they’ve been the NHL’s model franchise this decade. If they win one of the next two games, that will be three Stanley Cup titles this decade.

5) Boston Red Sox: Hate them if you will, but two WS titles, including what happened in 2004, puts the Sox up in this spot in our book.

6) Pittsburgh Steelers: Two Super Bowl titles; working on a dynasty if they can win it all again this year.

7) New Jersey Devils: Two Stanley Cup titles, one Stanley Cup loss, a playoff berth every year there were playoffs.

8 ) Detroit Pistons: One title, one runner-up finish and overall six consecutive trips to at least the conference finals.

9) Indianapolis Colts: Great in the regular season, so-so in the playoffs, but still remarkably consistent and they do have one Super Bowl win to their credit.

10) New York Yankees. Even with all their struggles, they still have three WS appearances (1 win, two losses) and a gaudy regular-season record.

Let’s get the debate going in the comments.

Fasola-link! Tom Swifties.

(Photo of RandBall softball legend Randall in his jersey).

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