The Nice
Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
Whether he was saving the city of New Orleans, or taking a trip through Disney World with his Super Bowl MVP award, or overcoming a "Super Bowl Hangover" and leading the Saints right back towards the post-season, who's been nicer this year than Drew Brees? The SI Sportsman of the Year has had a year for the ages, and any list of this kind wouldn't be complete without him.
Coming into 2010, there wasn't a lot Crosby hadn't accomplished. Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP)? Check. Raising the Stanley Cup? Check. Being anointed the Greatest (active) Player Alive? You could make the case for Ovechkin, but since it's a huge debate, check. All that was missing was an Olympic gold medal in ice hockey. Much to the chagrin of the United States, Crosby potted the game winner in the Gold Medal game against the Americans, and in the process crossed that off the list. What's next for Sid? He's already got 60 points (29-31-60) through 36 games this season. That puts him on a pace for 137 points, which would be the highest total in the NHL since Mario Lemieux put up 161 in 1995-96. Sid ain't a kid no more.
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| O, Canada! |
What did Donovan accomplish in 2010? Nothing really, other than getting everyone in the United States a serious case of soccer fever. The American's best player highlighted a memorable game when he scored in stoppage time against Algeria, on a thrilling play in which he streaked in and knocked the rebound past Algeria's goalie. The U.S. ultimately lost to Ghana in the round of 16, but Donovan's goal will have a lasting impact on the growth of soccer in the United States.
Phil Mickelson, Golf
Winning The Masters and the Green Jacket that comes with it are nice. Winning while your wife is overcoming a yearlong bout with breast cancer? Winning while dealing with the media-circus that came with Tiger Woods' return to the PGA? Couldn't think of a much greater degree of difficulty than that. Made it all the more satisfying for Lefty, who won his third career Masters title. It may have been his only PGA win of 2010, but it's certainly enough for Phil to earn the label of 'nice'.
Kevin Durant, F, Oklahoma City Thunder
Portrayed as the anti-LeBron, Durant quietly announced his 5 year, $86 million contract extension just days after LeBron's Decision. No need to go on ESPN or anything like that to make the announcement. Durant also led team USA to the FIBA World Championship title over the summer, and in the process has raised expectations for his Thunder through the roof. A nice year indeed.
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| I already addressed his team as the Thunder once. That's more than enough to justify a Sonics reference. |
The Naughty
LeBron James, F, Miami Heat
First, he quit on Cleveland in the playoffs. Next, he stabbed the entire city of Cleveland in the heart on national TV. Then, he played the race card. Followed by comparing himself to Randy Moss. Let's not forget his having the audacity to tell Cleveland fans to "get over it". His latest endeavor has been endorsing contraction in the NBA. I don't know how many more times, in how many more different ways I can say it: Shut up, LeBron. Just shut up.
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| Don't mess around with the Green, LeBron. Dating back to the Eastern Conference semi's, you've lost 5 in a row against them. |
Brett Favre, QB, Minnesota Vikings
Pick after pick, sext after sext, press conference after press conference, it's been a rough year for no. 4. His streak of 297 consecutive starts just ended. And the pick I'm referring to the most indirectly allowed Drew Brees to appear on the 'nice' list, for had Favre not tried to force the ball through Saints coverage, it is very likely that his Vikings could have been Super this year, not New Orleans. Lowest QB rating of his career. Bet you wished you had stayed down on the farm, eh Brett?
Rex Ryan, Head Coach, New York Jets
I already did a great expose on the Jets after they lost to the Patriots 45-3 on MNF earlier this month. The Jets continue to talk like they're the 3-time defending champs, yet they are currently looking like a one-and-done playoff team. That vaunted ground game has faded, Mark Sanchez has been nothing short of dreadful, Braylon Edwards is dropping passes left and right if he's not getting a DUI, and best of all, it came to light that Rex Ryan has a foot fetish. Maybe when you're 350 pounds, feet action is all you can get.
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| Not hands, Rex. Feet. You like feet. |
Jim Joyce, Umpire, Major League Baseball
Joyce has routinely been regarded as one of the best in the biz, year in, year out. Unfortunately, his legacy will never be as a top-flight umpire, but rather as the one involved in the "imperfect game". On June 2, Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga had been perfect through 8 2/3 innings of a game against the Cleveland Indians. The Indians' 27th batter, Jason Donald, hit a weak dribbler down the 1st base line. 1B Miguel Cabrera darted towards the ball and flipped back to Galarraga, who was covering 1st. While replays clearly showed that Donald was out by at least a step, Joyce flung his arms out in a "safe" motion. While Galarraga shrugged the call off, his Tiger teammates erupted towards Joyce in the immediate aftermath. Galarraga would get the next batter out, completing a 1-hitter, and Joyce later admitted his blunder had cost Galarraga a perfect game, but Joyce's gaffe is undoubtedly one of the naughtiest performances of the year.
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| As an umpire, I feel for Jim Joyce. |
Ilya Kovalchuk, LW, New Jersey Devils
Kovalchuk signed a much-lampooned 15 year, $100 million contract with the Devils in the off-season after trying negotiations resulted in the initial contract of 17 years, $102 million being nullified by the NHL. Through three months, the Kovalchuk signing has been a flat-out DISASTER, as the winger has put up totals of 8-10-18 through 33 games while sporting a -25. His 8.2 shooting percentage is by far the lowest of his career, and oh-by-the-way, the Devils have the worst record in the NHL. Coincidentally, the league's second worst team, the New York Islanders, also made an erroneous 15-year contract blunder once upon a time with goalie Rick DiPietro. But that's another story for another time.
Randy Moss, WR, Tennessee Titans
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| I googled 'Randy Moss Titans' and this was the most intense action picture I could come up with. |
Cecil Newton, Father, Cam Newton
His now-infamous "pay for play" plan for his son, Heisman winner Cam Newton, has cast a shadow of doubt over the legitimacy of Newton's eligibility, as well as his Heisman Award. It was just in September when 2005 winner Reggie Bush lost his trophy due to NCAA violations, and this was the last thing college football needed: another scandal. Newton's team, Auburn, is set to play Oregon for the BCS National Title in January. That, too, may come into question depending on what is further revealed about Mr. Newton in the coming months and years. I've gotta say, shame on the University of Alabama for firing the music director who played Steve Miller's "Take the Money and Run" during the Crimson Tide-Tigers game in November. The song was a reference at the pay-for-play, as the director hoped to rile Newton before the game.
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