10 Teams We're Looking Forward to Watching in 2016
We already gave you the 2016 hater's guide. So how about some light reading to ease those nasty tensions?
Reversing gears for a second, here are 10 teams we can't wait to watch get after it in 2016. We've touched on all walks of sports, giving you a comprehensive list of greatness.
Using current production, superstars and rookies as a guide, here's the list you've all been waiting for.
Chicago Cubs
1 of 10
Why the Chicago Cubs? Simple: Theo Epstein has built a contender, and with the latest addition of Jason Heyward, per Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Cubs are ready to rock in 2016.
Watching this team try to tear apart its World Series drought will be a lot of fun. Last season, the Cubs brought in manager Joe Maddon—a sound hire—and won 97 games.
They should only get better this season. Even non-Cubs fans could enjoy the streak coming to an end. It's that monumental of a sports moment.
Leicester City
2 of 10
Leicester City Football Club sits atop the Premier League with 38 points. Yes, Leicester City. That's not a typo.
This club has stunned fans with outstanding movement and execution on the pitch. Downfalls from Chelsea and Liverpool, combined with the fact that Manchester United has struggled, have given way for Leicester City.
It will continue to be fun watching this club perform in '16. Hopefully, it can keep its dominant ways going and finish atop England's most prestigious sporting league.
New York Jets
3 of 10
Without trying to jinx them, the New York Jets would be an awesome edition to the 2016 watch list.
Think about it: Ryan Fitzpatrick is their quarterback. He's a bullish, bearded gunslinger without fear of consequence. Alongside Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, the Jets offense has excelled to great heights.
Todd Bowles as a first-year head coach brought an offensive guru named Chan Gailey with him. His play-calling has allowed skill players such as Marshall, Decker and Chris Ivory to thrive.
This isn't your gimmicky, dull 2014 New York Jets. We've seen a spark this season. Hopefully, that spark turns into a postseason adventure we can all enjoy.
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Cleveland Cavaliers
4 of 10
Kyrie Irving's return after six months away from the Cleveland Cavaliers is a perfect way to set up 2016. ESPN senior writer Brian Windhorst explained how the addition of a healthy Irving is huge for the makeup of this franchise.
With Irving back, the Cavs should hit a sweet pace the rest of the way, making them a must-watch team leading up to the NBA postseason.
Michigan State Spartans
5 of 10
The College Football Playoff welcomes Clemson, Alabama, Oklahoma and Michigan State. Of all the teams dancing around, looking for bragging rights, Michigan State needs the biggest cheering section.
Led by quarterback Connor Cook, the Spartans' winning it all would be a huge shocker. Bleacher Report's Daniel Kramer brought up the fact that OddShark.com has them as heavy underdogs against Alabama.
You can't help but root for an upset. Michigan State's winning the National Championship would prove that the College Football Playoff format is worth it.
New York Islanders
6 of 10
The New York Islanders weren't always left in the shadow of the Rangers and New Jersey Devils. Remember, in the 1980s, the orange and blue crushers won four Stanley Cups in a row.
Repeating that success has been difficult, but the Islanders have played well so far this season, and that gives us hope. They're highly placed in the Metropolitan Division, turning a young roster—with the average age of 27.770, per NHL Numbers—into a contender.
Prevailing as the kings of New York would be quite an achievement for the "forgotten" team.
Arizona Cardinals
7 of 10
Bruce Arians' being in charge of the Arizona Cardinals has turned this club into vital Super Bowl contenders. It seems like no matter where he turns for production—Chris Johnson, David Johnson, John Brown—the team keeps generating wins.
Fresh off a Week 15 stomping of the Philadelphia Eagles, the 12-2 Cardinals are set to make a deep run in 2016. Hopefully that run that ends with Arians and quarterback Carson Palmer's carrying around that precious Lombardi Trophy.
San Antonio Spurs
8 of 10
At 24-5, the San Antonio Spurs are quietly right behind the Golden State Warriors in terms of sheer dominance.
With LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard taking off as the young gunslingers, this squad has looked much more dangerous than last season. A full roster consisting of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Aldridge and Leonard could be enough to derail the Warriors in a series.
For that, we're looking forward to watching them hoop it up in 2016.
Houston Astros
9 of 10
The youth will always prevail. That should be the slogan for the Houston Astros' 2016 campaign.
Building off a great season in 2015, in which they won 86 games, the Astros enter '16 stronger and better than they were. Baseball purists will get to salivate over great pitching. But the real excitement comes from watching shortstop Carlos Correa.
Correa crushed 22 home runs and 68 RBI, and finished with a .279 average in 99 games played. A full season of production should push him into the MVP discussion.
Houston could still be a year or two removed from winning a World Series title. However, that doesn't mean it won't happen in 2016. Be on the lookout for Correa and the boys come springtime.
New York Knicks
10 of 10
As the New York Knicks fight for a playoff spot, the team becomes immensely more fun to watch. Part of that is because Carmelo Anthony is still scoring buckets without hesitation.
But let's cut the junk out and be honest for a second. The real reason casual NBA admirers are even dealing with the Knicks is because of the Latvian Leveler, Kristaps Porzingis.
Porzingis has been throwing down putback dunks, blocking shots and getting buckets since New York selected him No. 4 overall in the 2015 NBA draft.
He's raised the bar, giving people a reason to religiously watch the Knicks go to work. As Ian Begley of ESPN.com wrote, "The rookie has progressed faster than anyone expected, of course."
The Knicks' contending for a playoff spot and Porzingis' blossoming simultaneously make for the perfect storm in 2016.
All stats and information provided by Sports-Reference.com unless noted otherwise.
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