Top 10 sports moments of 2016

Top+10+sports+moments+of+2016

Hyunsung Ko, staff writer

As a devotee, to the world of sports even the itty – bity moments go a long way. For the beloved sports lovers in the world, here marks in no particular order the top 10 sports moments of the year. Enjoy!

  1. Julio Jones, 300 receiving yards, Oct. 2

Falcons wide out Julio Jones went on an absolute rampage just 4 weeks into the young NFL season. Totaling 300 receiving yards, Jones singlehandedly led Atlanta to an enormous win over Carolina. Jones became just the sixth receiver in NFL history to record 300 yards in one game.

  1. Aaron Rodgers, Hail Mary, NFC Divisional Playoffs (Green Bay vs. Arizona), Jan. 16

In one of the best playoff games in NFL history, Rodgers pulled out the unthinkable. Down seven points with less than a minute remaining, it seemed Green Bay’s hopes to advance were all but impossible. With time expiring, Rodgers sent a “prayer” downfield in hope for a miracle. There wide receiver Jeff Janice hauled in the game – tying touchdown sending the game to overtime. Unfortunately Arizona came out top 26 – 20, to advance to the NFC Championship Game, but for football fans it was a game one would never forget.

  1. Stephen Curry sets NBA’s single-game record for three-pointers made, Nov. 7

Love him or hate him, he’s one of the NBA’s best shooters…if not one of the best of all time. On Nov. 7, Stephen Curry broke the NBA’s single game record for the three-pointers made in a single game with 13 made shots in a 116 – 106 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. Breaking the previous 3 way tie between NBA greats, Kobe Bryant and Donyell Marshall, Curry now stands alone at the top of a monumental accomplishment.

  1. Miami Marlins Dee Gordon’s leadoff home run, Sept. 26.

Second baseman Dee Gordon teed off pitcher Bartolo Colon, one night after the loss of teammate Jose Fernandez. Consoled by teammates, Gordon was more than emotional. “I don’t have kids, so this is one of the greatest moments in my life”, Gordon said. Fernandez, who died in a boating accident passed away at the age of 24.

  1. Katie Ledecky, four gold medals, 2016 summer Olympics.

Michael Phelps will always go down as the best Olympic swimmer in recent history, but Katie Ledecky is an emerging legend in the making. At just 19 years of age, Ledecky blew by her competition in Rio winning four gold medals.

  1. Kobe Bryant’s final game, April 13.

When the basketball world looks back on Kobe Bryant’s final game of his inspiring 20 –year career in the NBA, one number that will stand out will be 60. The ever so amazing “Black Mamba” led a memorable 4th quarter comeback against the Utah Jazz, hitting the final five shots in his career in straight succession.

  1. Villanova’s Kris Jenkins game winning buzzer beater to win the NCAA Tournament final, April 4.

March Madness 2016 was insane. But of all of the insanity, nothing topped Villanova guard Kris Jenkins’ buzzer – beating 3- pointer to win the NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball Championship. The Wildcats defeated North Carolina 77 – 74 for their first national title in 31 years.

  1. Michael Phelps continues success, 23 gold medals. Summer 2016.

After 63 races, and over 11,000 meters swam, Phelps is finally finished. Everyone knew he would go down as the single greatest male swimmer in history, but it was a matter of how many illustrious gold medals he would end with, and 23 was that illustrious number.

  1. Cleveland Cavaliers win first franchise championship in team history, Jun. 20

They did it, the Cleveland Cavaliers not only won their first championship in team history, but it was the first major sports championship a Cleveland team had won in 52 years. Rallying from a 3 games to 1 deficit, LeBron James and company did the unthinkable winning the NBA finals, defeating the Golden State Warriors in 7 games.

  1. Cubs end the curse, win World Series, Nov. 2

No matter the order, this has got to top anyone’s list. After 108 years. I repeat one hundred and eight. The Chicago Cubs won the fall classic defeating the Cleveland Indians in 7 games and ending the curse.