2016 ATHLETE AWARDS SERVE UP INSPIRATION, BOMBAST AND MORE
Black-tie attire is suggested but not mandatory for readers about to consume the following, USA TODAY Sports’ 2016 Athlete Awards. The best part: No long, rambling Oscar-like speeches from the winners. Without further adieu ...
MOST IMPORTANT ATHLETE: LEBRON JAMES What, you were expecting Ryan Lochte?
James didn’t help spark an international incident at the Rio Olympics or compete on Danc
ing with the Stars, but he’s still a slam-dunk for this award. After all, James did the equivalent of scoring a perfect 10 when he led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals title and gave Cleveland its first major sports championship in 52 years.
But what lifted James from important to most important is his work off the court. In addition to focusing the spotlight on social and political issues, he committed to spending more than $40 million on sending disadvantaged children to college.
MOST FUN ATHLETE TO WATCH: SIMONE BILES She won four gold medals at the Rio Games and led the Olympics in did-you-see-that moments. Here’s what we saw:
Her signature move — a double flip with a half twist on the floor exercise — was so astounding it earned its own name, “The Biles.” And America’s gymnastic daredevil was just as entertaining when executing the Amanar, a vault that features a backhand spring onto the vault, followed by 21⁄ twists in the air, capped by a blind landing. Essentially, she’s the Evel Knievel of gymnastics.
MOST BOMBASTIC ATHLETE: CONOR MCGREGOR He tried to throw a folding chair at Eddie Alvarez. Tossed water bottles at Nate Diaz. Unleashed profanity and wisecracks with a mouth that functioned like a fire hose. Forget his fights. McGregor, the Irish mixed martial arts fighter, turned UFC news conferences into must-watch theater. He drew comparisons to Muhammad Ali, but his foul mouth conjured up memories of Richard Pryor.
Although McGregor lost to Diaz in their first fight, he finished the year undefeated and unmatched as a showman who can sell a fight — and sell himself.
MOST INSPIRATIONAL ATHLETE: ABBEY D’AGOSTINO Put yourself in D’Agostino’s track shoes for a minute. At the Rio Games, in a qualifying heat of the 5,000 meters, she collided with Nikki Hamblin of New Zealand. And when D’Agostino got up, she saw Hamblin was in distress. Now what?
An image that comes to mind is Mary Decker screaming in pain at the 1984 Olympics after being tripped by Zola Budd, who kept on speeding around the track. But in Rio, D’Agostino helped Hamblin to her feet and, when she realized she was too injured to run, she told Hamblin to go on without her.
“That girl is the Olympic spirit right there,” Hamblin said.
MOST MISUNDERSTOOD ATHLETE: COLIN KAEPERNICK He’s probably the most misunderstood patriot in America.
Colin Kaepernick bears responsibility for wearing socks bearing the image of cartoon pigs dressed as policemen and for wearing a T-shirt with the image of Fidel Castro. But in an effort to show his respect for the military, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback decided to kneel rather than sit during the national anthem.
And anyone who fights for social justice, pledges $1 million toward the cause and in the process risks his reputation and safety deserves respect — and this award.
MOST MAGNETIC ATHLETE: USAIN BOLT Usain Bolt was the rock star of Rio. The Jamaican sprinter was electric on the track defending his titles in the 100 and 200 meters and exuded a mix of swagger and mischief off the track.
After winning gold in the 4x100 relay, he mouthed: “I’m the greatest.” Yes, quite possibly the greatest, but without question the most magnetic.
MOST OVERRATED ATHLETE: CAM NEWTON Newton is the NFL’s best-dancing quarterback, maybe the best NFL dancer of all time. He’s also the most overrated of 2016.
His critics were muffled in 2015 when Newton dabbed his way to MVP honors and the Super Bowl, where, oddly enough, his descent began. His subpar performance in the Super Bowl continued throughout the 2016 season, during which Newton’s production and the Panthers’ fortunes have plummeted.
MOST UNDERRATED ATHLETE: TIM DUNCAN If only Duncan had taken marketing lessons from McGregor. Too late. Instead, Duncan earns the most underrated award in part because he also ranks as the most unassuming, for which there is no official award this year. (Check back in 2017.)
Duncan retired after the 2015-16 season, and the sporting public all but yawned, despite the fact he was a 15-time AllStar, a five-time NBA champion and three-time NBA Finals MVP. Duncan amassed 26,496 points, 15,091 rebounds and 4,225 assists, and we’re guessing you barely noticed.
MOST DANGEROUS ATHLETE: DRAYMOND GREEN First there was the kick between the legs of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Steven Adams during the Western Conference finals. Then there was the contact with James’ crotch. Green, a forward with the Golden State Warriors, has a (dangerous) knack for hitting opponents where it hurts most.
Green has seven technical fouls this season and is on pace to eclipse his total of 13 from the 2015-16 season. Time to reform his ways?
“I won’t change my approach for anything,” Green recently told reporters, and so opposing players had better cover up their nether regions.
MOST HEARTBREAKING ATHLETE: JOSE FERNANDEZ The sports world mourned the deaths of Muhammad Ali, Arnold Palmer, Gordie Howe and Pat Summit. But the most tragic loss was Jose Fernandez, the Miami Marlins pitcher with the megawatt smile who died in a boating accident Sept. 25.
Fernandez, a charismatic Cuban, was a potential superstar. He was the National League rookie of the year in 2013, a twotime All-Star and had a career record of 38-17. But he was equally celebrated for his warmth and fun-loving personality.