The Year So Far: Best And Worst Sports Moments
2017 hasn't seen quite the topsy-turvy conclusions to the various sports as 2016 did. But to be fair, all-time classics in College Football, College Basketball, and the NBA Finals as well as a Peyton Super Bowl win and PK shootout for glory, were always going to be a tough act to follow. All that being said, 2017 has held its own in terms of sports glory, and it's time to analyze the best and worst moments across the sporting universe this calendar year. Unlike the valiant efforts of my comrade Micah, who penned this piece last year, I'm not even going to try to be objective here. That's for year-end stuff. In chronological order:
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Best: Alabama goes down!! It can't be stressed enough how ready I was to see the dynasty of the 2010s finally be knocked off their pedestal; so ready that I would rapturously cheer for the team my hometown had led me to hate during my high school years. Indeed, it was hard to cheer against this Clemson team. They played offense the way I want my team to play offense, and in the Playoffs, the same went for the defense. That "possibly the greatest college football team ever?!?!" (yes, that question was absurd) was beaten on a last-second TD by a former walk-on could not have been sweeter.
Worst: Western Michigan breaks the Non-P5 Streak. There were only a few noteworthy college football games in the year, and the amazing championship was actually probably only the 2nd-best. So, with nothing else to really complain about, I guess I'll say it was a bummer to see the streak of Non-BCS teams winning BCS bowls with the Broncos going down to Wisconsin.
NFL
Best: This. An incredible finish to a game between the NFL's best team and hottest team.
Worst: 28-3. Because as amazing as it was to see that scoreline when it existed, it now serves as an eternal reminder that happiness is fleeting and the World is a cold, dark place. Unless, of course, your name is Liam and you spend all your times at Dunkins or down at the hahbuh, in which case '2803' is probably your new iPhone passcode.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Best: Luke Maye beats Kentucky. I know, the Heels went on to win the title, and that should truly be the best moment. Have no fear, I will never forget how the night of April 3rd 2017 felt. But for all intents and purposes, the Elite 8 game against Kentucky was my Championship game. I hate Kentucky with an undying passion. I knew the winner of this game was going to go on to win the Championship (and I still think had UK beat us, that's just what they would have done). I had just watched 2 stomach-clenching, nailbiting hours give way to relief, which soon gave way to panic and despair, as UNC found a way to blow a 7-point lead in seconds. Then this, from yet another former walk-on making a name for himself:
Rewind. Repeat.
Worst: The officiating of the title game. Maybe I'm biased, but I don't think the national championship was as unwatchable as many lamented that it was. After all, it was two great teams playing great defense, in a wire-to-wire game where the largest lead was 8 points. That being said, the zebras, while not favoring one side more than the other, completely ruined any sort of flow with nonstop whistles. Ticky-tack calls are obnoxious enough, let alone botched decisions like a phantom foul on Joel Berry, a missed out-of-bounds call that gives way to a crucial 3-pointer, and a missed out-of-bounds call that gives way to a crucial jump ball.
CLUB SOCCER
Best: Mandzukic's goal. Considering the context, it may have been one of the most brilliant goals I've witnessed; the finish is one thing, but the entire buildup is equally magnificent:
For 30 or so minutes, the football world dared to dream that the Madrid rule was coming to an end, and that hero of all things good Gianluigi Buffon was finally getting his Champions League Trophy.
Worst: The dream ended. Madrid woke up in the 2nd half of the Champions League Final, and Juventus went full narcoleptic. The end result was an ugly, disheartening 4-1 scoreline and another Ronaldo shirt-doff. Barf.
NBA
Best: This:
I'm not too invested in the NBA, but it's hard to beat one of your favorite stars (who has become an undeserving villain figure) sinking the dagger of the NBA Finals over one of your least-favorite.
Worst: The lack of parity. Sure, it's not a single moment, but the sheer dominance and talent gap by and of the Cavs/Warriors has made the NBA a total farce the last 2 years. Here's hoping to more challenges in 2018 from the Rockets, Celtics, anyone!
TENNIS
Best: The King Of Clay returns. Pretty much the sole reason I decided to include Tennis this year is because the year has been absolutely owned by Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, which in itself is an amazing feat. For me, seeing my favorite player return to dominance on the courts he used to own, after years of injury and setback, was exhilarating.
Worst: Men's Australian Open Final. Literally any other tennis fan will tell you this was the best event of the year. Two of the all-time greats, going head to head in a Grand Slam final a decade after they conspired to play the greatest match of all time. And another classic this was! So what's not to like?! MY BOY RAFA HAD THIS ONE IN THE BAG, HE WAS 3 GAMES AWAY FROM BEATING FEDERER AGAIN AND CHALLENGING THE TITLE OF #GOAT AND THEN IT ALL FELL APART, THAT'S WHAT'S NOT TO LIKE. It still hurts.