Best Of The Millennium: The Top 25 American Pro Sports Franchises Since 2000

4 leagues. 122 teams. Where does your favorite franchise stand?

The combined top 25 from the NFL, NHL, NBA and MLB are all ranked here via a number of categories and formulas.

The rankings come down to just one thing: winning.

A formula designed to balance regular season winning percentage, postseason winning percentage, division championships, conference championships and league championships boiled down to the inclusion of seven teams from the NFL, six from the NHL, six from the NBA, and six from MLB.

Take a peek at the list and let the conversation begin.

25. Dallas Mavericks

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DALLAS - APRIL 23: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates with teammates Steve Nash #13 and Michael Finley #4 during play against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2003 NBA Playoffs at

Regular Season Since 1999-2000: 66.9%

Postseason Record: 9-10

Division Championships: 3

Conference Championships: 1

NBA Championships: 0

Defining Season: 2005-2006. Despite soaring through the regular season with 60 victories, Dallas only commanded the four seed going into the NBA playoffs.

After three straight series wins (and a 50-point game from Dirk Nowitzki against the hated Spurs) the Mavericks lost to Miami in the Finals.

24. Miami Heat

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NEW YORK - JANUARY 26: Dwyane Wade #3 (C) of the Miami Heat walks to the bench with teammates Michael Doleac #51 (L) and Gary Payton #20 against the New York Knicks January 26, 2007 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly

Regular Season Since 1999-2000: 51.6%

Postseason Record: 8-7

Division Championships: 4

Conference Championships: 1

NBA Championships: 1

Defining Season: 2005-2006. After Shaquille O'Neal signed a huge contract to join the team in the offseason, he teamed up with rising star guard Dwyane Wade to cruise to a Southeast division title and a 4-2 series triumph over the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals. 

23. San Francisco Giants

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 23: Jonathan Sanchez #57 of the San Francisco Giants is held back by teammates Buster Posey #28, Juan Uribe #5, and Edgar Renteria #16 after hitting Chase Utley of the Philadelphia Phillies with a pitch in the third inning in Game

Regular Season Since 2000: 53.1%

Postseason Record: 5-3

Division Championships: 3

League Pennants: 2

MLB Championships: 1

Defining Season: 2010. Led by pitcher Tim Lincecum, San Francisco won the NL West and made the playoffs for the first time since 2003. Following series victories against Atlanta and favored Philadelphia, the Giants were world champions after taking down Texas in the World Series. 

22. Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim

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SEATTLE - JUNE 04: Torii Hunter #48 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim celebrates with teammates after defeating the Seattle Mariners 7-1 at Safeco Field on June 4, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Regular Season Since 2000: 55.0%

Postseason Record: 5-5

Division Championships: 5

American League Pennants: 1

MLB Championships: 1

Defining Season: 2002. Behind the bat of Garret Anderson, the Angels reached the AL playoffs as a wild-card and took down the mighty Yankees in the first round.

After another upset in the AL championship over Minnesota, Anaheim defeated San Francisco in seven games in the World Series.

21. Anaheim Ducks

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ANAHEIM, CA - JUNE 06: Andy McDonald #19 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrates the goal of teammate Corey Perry #10 in the thrid period against the Ottawa Senators in Game Five on June 6, 2007 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The Ducks won the Stanley

Regular Season Since 1999-2000: 53.6%

Postseason Record: 10-4

Division Championships: 1

Conference Championships: 2

NHL Championships: 1

Defining Season: 2006-2007. After an off-season of change in which the team name, logos, colors and uniforms were all redone, the Ducks flew through the regular season to clinch the first division championship in team history.

After a beatdown of Ottawa in the Finals, Anaheim scored their first Stanley Cup as well.

20. Carolina Hurricanes

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RALEIGH, NC - JUNE 14: Eric Staal #12 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period of game five of the 2006 NHL Stanley Cup Finals on June 14, 2006 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, N

Regular Season Since 1999-2000: 53.0%

Postseason Record: 9-3

Division Championships: 2

Conference Championships: 2

NHL Championships: 1

Defining Season: 2005-2006. Carolina strolled through their schedule on the way to racking up 112 points on the season.

Led by standout rookie goaltender Cam Ward (winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy), The Hurricanes survived a nailbiting Stanley Cup Finals with a 4-3 series victory over Edmonton.

19. New York Giants

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GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 03: David Tyree #85 of the New York Giants celebrates his five-yard touchdown reception with teammates Kevin Boss #89 and Ahmad Bradshaw #44 in the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl XLII on February

Regular Season Since 2000: 55.7%

Postseason Record: 6-5

Division Championships: 3

Conference Championships: 2

NFL Championships: 1

Defining Season: 2007. After a so-so regular season, the Giants became the first NFC team to win three straight road games en route to the championship.

A last second touchdown pass in Super Bowl XLII brought the G-Men their biggest upset of all: An unforseeable triumph over 18-0 New England.

18. Pittsburgh Penguins

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DETROIT - MAY 30: Ruslan Fedotenko #26 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with teammate Evgeni Malkin #71 after scoring a goal in the first period against the Detroit Red Wings during Game 1 of the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals at Joe Louis Arena on May 30,

Regular Season Since 1999-2000: 51.3%

Postseason Record: 11-5

Division Championships: 1

Conference Championships: 2

NHL Championships: 1

Defining Season: 2008-2009. Middling along and out of playoff position in February, Pittsburgh fired their coach and hired Dan Bylsma.

The Penguins then went on a tear, storming through the playoffs on the backs of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin and eventually upended Detroit for the Cup. 

17. Philadelphia Eagles

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: Donovan McNabb #5 of the Philadelphia Eagles is congratulated by teammates Terrell Owens #81 and Todd Pinkston #87 after McNabb threw a touchdown pass to Chad Lewis against the Washington Redskins on November 21, 2004 at Linco

Regular Season Since 2000: 64.2%

Postseason Record: 10-9

Division Championships: 5

Conference Championships: 1

NFL Championships: 0

Defining Season: 2005. The Eagles steamrolled through the regular season and the NFC playoffs on their way to Super Bowl XXXIX.

The vaunted passing attack featuring quarterback Donovan McNabb and wide receiver Terrell Owens fell short in the big game, however, as Philadelphia lost to New England.

16. Baltimore Ravens

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18 Nov 2001 : Adalius Thomas #96 of the Baltimore Ravens and teammates stand dejected after loosing to the Cleveland Browns during the game at PSINet Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. The Browns won 27-17. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger/All

Regular Season Since 2000: 59.1%

Postseason Record: 9-6

Division Championships: 2

Conference Championships: 1

NFL Championships: 1

Defining Season: 2000. Behind one of the best defenses in NFL history, Baltimore posted a 12-4 regular season record and fought through three AFC playoff games to reach the Super Bowl.

After a 34-7 dismantling of the New York Giants, linebacker Ray Lewis won the game's MVP award.

15. Green Bay Packers

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers huddles with his teammates against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Regular Season Since 2000: 59.7%

Postseason Record: 7-6

Division Championships: 4

Conference Championships: 1

NFL Championships: 1

Defining Season: 2010. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers overcame numerous regular season injuries to scrape their way into the playoffs as the last seed in the NFC.

Three road wins later, Green Bay was in Super Bowl XLV. Rodgers took home MVP honors in a 31-25 classic.

14. Philadelphia Phillies

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 21: Jayson Werth #28 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates a solo homerun against the San Francisco Giants with teammate Jimmy Rollins #11 in the ninth inning of Game Five of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at AT&T Park on

Regular Season Since 2000: 53.1%

Postseason Record: 6-3

Division Championships: 4

League Pennants: 2

MLB Championships: 1

Defining Season: 2008. The city of Philadelphia's 25-year wait for a championship finally came to an end after the Phillies' outstanding season.

The team used the slugging of Ryan Howard combined with Cole Hamels' masterful pitching to take down the upstart Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series.

13. Colorado Avalanche

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DENVER - MAY 25: Goalie Patrick Roy #33 of the Colorado Avalanche stands with teammates for the National Anthem before the game against the Detroit Red Wings in game four of the Western Conference finals in the Stanley Cup playoffs at the Pepsi Center i

Regular Season Since 1999-2000: 59.0%

Postseason Record: 11-7

Division Championships: 4

Conference Championships: 1

NHL Championships: 1

Defining Season: 2000-2001. A record-breaking season by goalie Patrick Roy and solid play at every position on the ice resulted in Colorado coasting through the regular season and playoffs before emerging victorious over New Jersey in an extremely hard fought Stanley Cup Finals

12. Boston Celtics

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BOSTON - NOVEMBER 26: Kendrick Perkins #43 of the Boston Celtics is congratulated by teammates Kevin Garnett #5 and Rajon Rondo #9 after Perkins make a free throw in the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors on November 26,2008 at TD Banknorth G

Regular Season Since 1999-2000: 53.2%

Postseason Record: 11-6

Division Championships: 4

Conference Championships: 2

NBA Championships: 1

Defining Season: 2007-2008. Boston became a contender overnight after acquiring future Hall of Famers Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett in the offseason.

Teamed up with All-Star Paul Pierce, the threesome dominated the East and humbled the mighty Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals.

11. St. Louis Cardinals

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ST. LOUIS - JULY 15: Scott Rolen #27 of the St. Louis Cardinals is congratulated by teammates after he hit a game-winning RBI single to drive in David Eckstein #22 in the bottom of the 10th inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 15, 2006 at Busch

Regular Season Since 2000: 56.1%

Postseason Record: 8-6

Division Championships: 6

League Pennants: 2

MLB Championships: 1

Defining Season: 2006. Making the postseason after barely getting over the .500 mark, St. Louis was essentially counted out of any potential championship runs.

This obviously changed after victories over San Diego and New York. Another upset over American League-winning Detroit and the Cardinals were world champions.

10. Boston Red Sox

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ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 18: Mark Bellhorn #12 of the Boston Red Sox congratulates teammates David Ortiz #34 and Johnny Damon #18 (right) after Ortiz hit a three-run home during the game against the Anaheim Angels at the Angel Stadium on July 18, 2004 in Anahe

Regular Season Since 2000: 56.6%

Postseason Record: 8-4

Division Championships: 1

League Pennants: 2

MLB Championships: 2

Defining Season: 2004. The Red Sox brought pride back to Boston baseball with a historic upset over the New York in the ALCS.

The hated Yankees held a three games to none advantage before Boston ripped off four straight victories.

After the stunning turnaround, Boston swept St. Louis in the World Series.

9. Indianapolis Colts

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 10: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts stands on the sidelines with teammates prior to a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 10, 2006 at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by M

Regular Season Since 2000: 71.0%

Postseason Record: 9-9

Division Championships: 7

Conference Championships: 2

NFL Championships: 1

Defining Season: 2006. Typically a force only in the regular season, these Colts finally rose to the occasion and defeated the mighty New England Patriots in the AFC championship game 38-34 to advance to Miami and beat Chicago in Super Bowl XLI behind MVP Peyton Manning.

8. Detroit Pistons

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AUBURN HILLS, MI - JUNE 13: Lindsey Hunter #10 of the Detroit Pistons is helped up by his teammates Corliss Williamson #34, Ben Wallace #3 and Richard Hamilton #32 after being fouled by Luke Walton #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter i

Regular Season Since 1999-2000: 58.1%

Postseason Record: 16-8

Division Championships: 6

Conference Championships: 2

NBA Championships: 1

Defining Season: 2003-2004. Finishing as the runner up to Indiana in the Central division did not faze Detroit one bit as they tore through the Eastern playoffs and beat the Pacers in the conference finals. 

A relatively easy series victory over the star-studded Lakers in the NBA Finals gave Detroit the crown.

7. New Jersey Devils

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER19: Defender Scott Stevens #4 of the New Jersey Devils huddles with his team during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at the Continental Airlines Arena on November 19, 2003 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Devils won 4

Regular Season Since 1999-2000: 63.0%

Postseason Record: 13-8

Division Championships: 6

Conference Championships: 3

NHL Championships: 2

Defining Season: 2002-2003. After winning the Atlantic division by a mere point, the Devils began a playoff odyssey to regain the Cup they earned in 2000.

The Devils' cast included several household names, none more integral to their third NHL championship than goaltender Martin Brodeur.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers

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BALTIMORE - DECEMBER 14: Ryan Clark #25 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates his interception against the Baltimore Ravens with teammate Troy Polamalu #43 on December 14, 2008 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Imag

Regular Season Since 2000: 65.3%

Postseason Record: 12-5

Division Championships: 5

Conference Championships: 3

NFL Championships: 2

Defining Season: 2005. This Pittsburgh team became the poster child for the term "road warriors" after an average regular season led to the Steelers' unprecedented run to the Super Bowl as a sixth seed.

By the time Pittsburgh weathered their AFC opponents' best shots, Seattle was no match in the big game.

5. Detroit Red Wings

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GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 16: Niklas Kronwall #55 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates with teammates Nicklas Lidstrom #5 and Henrik Zetterberg #40 after Kronwall scored the game winning power play goal in overtime against the Phoenix Coyotes during the NHL

Regular Season Since 1999-2000: 68.3%

Postseason Record: 16-8

Division Championships: 8

Conference Championships: 3

NHL Championships: 2

Defining Season: 2001-2002. Some consider this group one of the most talented teams of all-time, with 10 future Hall of Famers.

They certainly brought home the hardware: a Central division championship, the President's Trophy, home ice throughout the playoffs, and most importantly, the Stanley Cup.

4. New York Yankees

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 15: Mariano Rivera #42 of the New York Yankees greets his team before playing against the Texas Rangers in Game One of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 15, 2010 in Arlington, Texas.

Regular Season Since 2000: 59.5%

Postseason Record: 12-8

Division Championships: 8

League Pennants: 4

MLB Championships: 2

Defining Season: 2008. In the Yankee's eighth season since their string of world championships ended, New York opened up the sparkling New Yankee Stadium.

Perhaps a fresh start is what the team needed, as the Bronx Bombers piled up 103 victories en route to a long-awaited World Series victory.

3. San Antonio Spurs

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SAN ANTONIO - JUNE 23: Tim Duncan #21, center, holds up the Finals MVP trophy and the Larry O'Brien trophy as teammates Tony Parker #9, left, and Bruce Bowen #12 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrate after defeating the Detroit Pistons in Game seven of the

Regular Season Since 1999-2000: 69.4%

Postseason Record: 20-8

Division Championships: 6

Conference Championships: 3

NBA Championships: 3

Defining Season: 2002-2003. It is fair to say that this was the year the Spurs did it for David. David Robinson, that is.

The legendary post man announced that the season would be his last, and MVP Tim Duncan and co. got the the job done by overpowering New Jersey in the NBA Finals.

2. New England Patriots

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - FEBRUARY 6: Rodney Harrison #37 and Christian Fauria #88 of the New England Patriots celebrate with the Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX at Alltel Stadium on February 6, 2005 in Jacksonville,

Regular Season Since 2000: 71.6%

Postseason Record: 14-5

Division Championships: 8

Conference Championships: 4

NFL Championships: 3

Defining Season: 2001. A year that began with franchise quarterback Drew Bledsoe going down with injury ended in one of the most unlikely sports stories in recent memory.

Little-known backup Tom Brady led the Pats to the Super Bowl against consensus favorite St. Louis, and kicker Adam Vinatieri sealed the deal in the final moments.

1. Los Angeles Lakers

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EL SEGUNDO, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers laughs as he holds two NBA Finals Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy's as he poses for a photograph with teammates Pau Gasol #16 and Derek Fisher #2 during Media Day at the Toyota C

Regular Season Since 1999-2000: 65.1%

Postseason Record: 27-5

Division Championships: 6

Conference Championships: 7

NBA Championships: 5

Defining Season: 1999-2000. Although not as dominant in the postseason as they would be a year later, this team tallied 67 regular season victories with outstanding play from Kobe Bryant and league MVP Shaquille O'Neal. The duo brought Los Angeles their first championship since the Magic Johnson era.