Sports Headlines You Will Definitely See in 2016
The Golden State Warriors are headed for a Finals rematch against the Cleveland Cavaliers, right? The idea seems likely, but perhaps not as likely as Serena Williams tying Steffi Graf's Grand Slam total or Lionel Messi winning the Ballon d'Or.
Ringing in the new year is great for sports. It annually gives fans and pundits alike the opportunity to speculate on what might occur in the upcoming year or to make crazy predictions.
Sorry to disappoint, but there will be no crazy predictions here, only sports headlines you are likely to see (Dubs vs. Cavs) or will 99.9 percent definitely see (Serena wins at least one Grand Slam). Of course, there's no crystal ball here, but smart money is on these 20 predictions coming to fruition.
A-Rod might even pass Babe Ruth on the all-time home runs list in 2016, folks. It's going to be a fun year.
Christian McCaffrey Edges Leonard Fournette for Heisman
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LSU running back Leonard Fournette was a Heisman favorite leading into the 2015 college football season. Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey ended the season as the runner-up, second only to Alabama back Derrick Henry.
Fournette and McCaffrey are both sophomores and not eligible for the 2016 NFL draft. As such, they are hot names in the way-too-early Heisman talk.
Both look to be compelling candidates. McCaffrey led the nation in yards from scrimmage in 2015, and Fournette capped his season with 256 yards and five touchdowns in the Texas Bowl.
Jay Clemons of SEC Country wrote, "McCaffrey vs. Fournette could become the most captivating Heisman battle of the last 30 years."
So why McCaffrey over Fournette? Call it a coin flip.
Chargers and Raiders Approved for Relocation to Los Angeles
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Los Angeles looks primed to get two NFL teams in 2016, but the problem is, three want to go there. The San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders and St. Louis Rams have all applied for relocation to L.A.
According to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com, the NFL could decide on those applications as early as mid-January at the NFL owners meetings.
The Chargers and Raiders have a joint bid to build a new stadium in Carson, while the Rams have proposed a facility in Inglewood.
Nathan Fenno and Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times outlined the many possible outcomes but also wrote of the Chargers/Raiders union: "The teams have repeatedly emphasized their strong alliance, and their partnership is a cornerstone of their argument for the Carson stadium: one beautiful new venue to replace the NFL's two worst stadiums."
If the Rams don't get approved to move to L.A., things could get awkward at home, given the harsh sentiment toward St. Louis in their relocation application.
A-Rod Ties Babe Ruth's Home Run Mark
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New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez has racked up 687 career home runs, despite multiple injuries and a season-long suspension. That's just 27 shy of Babe Ruth's 714.
Even though A-Rod turned 40 in 2015, his baseball season was age-defying. He hit 33 home runs and 86 RBI and maybe/probably should have made the All-Star team.
The idea of a 40-year-old slugger with as much baggage as A-Rod having another 30-home run season may seem far-fetched, but then again, maybe not. According to Elias Sports (via Zach Mariner of ESPN Stats & Information), several big-name players hit a significant amount of home runs after turning 40, including Barry Bonds (79), Carlton Fisk (72) and Dave Winfield (59).
If A-Rod can stay healthy, tying or passing the Babe for third on the all-time home run list is a real possibility in 2016.
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49ers Name Chip Kelly New Head Coach
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Chip Kelly was unceremoniously relieved of his duties as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles in December, near the end of another disappointing season.
Black Monday proceeded to bring a number of other NFL head coaching vacancies, a list that now includes the Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers (among others), both of which have been rumored destinations for Kelly.
According to Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports, Tennessee seems a likely choice given Kelly's relationship with quarterback Marcus Mariota, whom he coached at Oregon. Then again, San Francisco is in need of a serious offensive overhaul, and Adam Schefter of ESPN reported (via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk) Kelly reached out to the team specifically to indicate his interest in the position.
Former Washington coach Mike Shanahan is reportedly also in contention, though Dianna Marie Russini of ESPN reported those talks have stalled.
Manchester United Sacks Louis Van Gaal
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Chelsea's Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid's Rafa Benitez—will Louis van Gaal be the next big football manager to get sacked?
The Manchester United boss has presided over a disappointing season that has, thus far, seen his team fail to advance in the Champions League. In early January, Nick Miller of ESPNFC listed Van Gaal as the most likely Premier League candidate for sacking.
Improved performance could help his job security, and bringing in big talent could go a long way toward that end. Cue big-time transfer rumors, involving Real Madrid's Gareth Bale, per the Sun, Cristiano Ronaldo, per the Independent, and even Neymar of FC Barcelona, per Le 10 Sport (h/t ESPN FC).
Cards Beat Pats in Super Bowl 50, Carson Palmer Named MVP
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Heading into the NFL postseason, the Super Bowl race is up in the air. Per Odds Shark, the New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers lead the charge with 9-2 odds. The most likely matchup is the Pats vs. Cardinals at 29-4.
Assuming the Pats get healthy, the Cards continue their quiet dominance and the two meet in Super Bowl 50, who would win?
Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com wrote: "This year's edition of the Arizona Cardinals has what it takes to make a run to hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy in Santa Clara, California, at Super Bowl 50. They are the most balanced team in the NFL, with the top-ranked offense and a top-five defense."
If nothing else, Carson Palmer's redemption story is just begging for a happy ending.
Events Cancelled in Rio over Continued Water Concerns
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It's no secret the water quality in Rio de Janeiro has been a serious issuing leading up to the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. In July, an investigation by the Associated Press (via ESPN.com) found "dangerously high levels of viruses and bacteria from sewage in venues where athletes will compete in the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic water sports."
In December, Scott Stinson of the National Post reported plans to clean up the water have not come to fruition and wrote, "several Olympic venues [are] a literal cesspool of waterborne viruses."
On Jan. 6, Marissa Payne of the Washington Post reported water and electricity at Rio's Olympic stadium have been shut off due to "unpaid bills."
It would be a tragedy if one or more events cannot go on as planned at the Games, but at this point, it also wouldn't be a huge surprise.
76ers Draft Ben Simmons
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It's almost a foregone conclusion that LSU forward Ben Simmons will be the No. 1 pick in June's NBA draft.
All is going according to plan in Philadelphia, as the 76ers and the "process" have landed them dead last in the Eastern Conference and in line for a top lottery pick. The Los Angeles Lakers are also brought up with regularity in the Simmons conversation.
No one can predict exactly which way the pingpong ball will bounce, but it just might be the 76ers' year. They haven't had the No. 1 pick since 1996 when they took Allen Iverson.
Cleveland Browns Draft Another QB
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In a surprising turn of events, the Cleveland Browns will enter the 2016 NFL draft in need of, you guessed it, a quarterback.
The Browns finished the season at 3-13 and thus hold the No. 2 pick. Though they don't necessarily need to select a QB right away, history says they will pick one. The Browns have taken a QB in the first round two of the past four years. Their last four drafted quarterbacks were Johnny Manziel, Brandon Weeden, Colt McCoy and Brady Quinn.
Then again, maybe Moneyball man Paul DePodesta will turn things around in Cleveland.
Curry Edges James for Second MVP Award
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As the Golden State Warriors jumped out to a 24-0 start to the NBA season and Stephen Curry looked like an otherworldly superhuman, early chatter of a repeat MVP was inevitable.
Curry has been dealing with a nagging shin injury, and other players—including his own teammate Draymond Green—have emerged as possible challengers to his repeat bid. Still, Kevin Spain of USA Today reported on Jan. 6 that Curry received every first-place vote in the news outlet's weekly poll.
"In fact," Spain wrote, "the Golden State Warriors' guard has gotten all first-place votes in every poll so far this season. Curry is averaging 29.7 points per game to lead the league and is shooting 51 percent. Second in the poll was LeBron James, but right behind him was Kawhi Leonard."
So long as the shin injury doesn't worsen, it looks like the MVP award is Curry's to lose.
Washington Capitals Win First Stanley Cup
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The Washington Capitals have never won a Stanley Cup, not in more than 40 years of existence. That could all change in 2016.
The dominant play of goaltender Braden Holtby has the Caps squarely in the conversation. According to Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post, Holtby recorded a 1.69 GAA and .947 save percentage in December and took home "Second Star" honors in November and December.
He was just named to the All-Star team along with teammates Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Ovechkin. The latter, by the way, is fifth on the NHL's list of goal scorers as of Jan. 6, and the Caps are leading the Metropolitan Division in points.
Bolt Defeats Gatlin for 100-Meter Olympic Gold
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Usain Bolt could achieve something inconceivable at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. The Jamaican sprinter will look to take gold in the 100-meter, 200-meter and 4x100-meter relay events for the third consecutive Olympics.
In August, he defeated American rival Justin Gatlin in the 100-meter event at the IAAF World Championships by one one-hundredth of a second.
Per Sean Gregory of Time, Bolt had been in a bit of a slump following 2014 foot surgery, but his performance at the Worlds proved he's still the one to beat. The three-medal haul gave him 17 total gold medals in Olympic and world championship competition, tying Carl Lewis' record.
Cowboys Sign Johnny Manziel
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It seems about even the Dallas Cowboys will sign either Robert Griffin III or Johnny Manziel in the NFL offseason. Both would serve as high-profile backups to Tony Romo, and both come with a lot of baggage, a characteristic owner Jerry Jones seems to appreciate in new players.
Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports reported "both Manziel and Griffin have Dallas atop their preferred destinations should they become available," citing sources close to each player.
According to Robinson, Jones has been complimentary of Griffin and Manziel in the past, and both are likely to become available, so who will it be? Griffin seems the most logical choice based on experience, ability and lack of Vegas-related off-field issues.
So, Manziel then.
Bill Simmons' New Website Breaks the Internet
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Former ESPN sports personality Bill Simmons founded Grantland in 2011. In 2015, ESPN opted not to renew his contract, so Simmons eventually signed with HBO, and Grantland was shut down.
Four major members of the Grantland staff followed Simmons in the move, and word of a new website has begun to spread. In November, Will Robinson of Entertainment Weekly reported Simmons had hired Eric Weinberger, formerly of the NFL Network, and tasked him with building a new site, among other things.
There is no specific word on when the new site will launch, but 2016 seems a safe bet. Also a safe bet? This is going to be a big deal.
Kevin Durant Signs Monster Contract to Stay in OKC
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Kevin Durant—a former NBA MVP and one of the best players in the game—is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2016. This has, of course, caused the rumor mill to run wild regarding possible destinations for the longtime Oklahoma City Thunder forward.
While his departure from OKC is possible, it seems unlikely. Durant has close ties to the community, a fact fellow NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony pointed out.
Beyond that, entering into free agency in lieu of signing an extension stands to be the more lucrative choice for Durant, per Jon Hamm of Daily Thunder, even if he ultimately stays put.
Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post wrote in July: "But the Thunder is thought to be the favorite because of the bond Durant has established with the franchise since he was selected second overall in 2007, and because the team already boasts one of the NBA’s best rosters."
The D-Backs Are This Year's Kansas City Royals
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Of the 10 teams in the 2015 MLB postseason, only four were repeats from 2014. The recent competitive balance in baseball has been gratifying for fans and exciting to watch.
The Kansas City Royals won their first World Series in 30 years after coming oh so close in 2014. Who will be the Cinderella story in 2016? The Arizona Diamondbacks (yes, really) are a good bet.
With a solid crop of pitchers and talented hitters on the roster, the D-Backs could make a run. In fact, Phil Rogers of MLB.com wrote, "Paul Goldschmidt and A.J. Pollock might be the best tandem of hitters in the major leagues, and the core of Goldschmidt, Pollock, Zack Greinke and Shelby Miller combined to produce 29.1 WAR last season."
Not only that, but according to Rogers, a team with a losing record has advanced to the World Series the following year three consecutive times.
Warriors vs. Cavs Set for Finals Game 7
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This prediction is as likely as it is exciting. The Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers are on a collision course for an NBA Finals rematch. The Warriors started the season 24-0, and if the season ended on Jan. 6, both teams would be No. 1 playoff seeds.
The Dubs are firing on all cylinders, and even the minor setback of a Stephen Curry leg injury is not likely to stop them from getting back to the Finals. For their part, the Cavs are mostly healthy, finally, after welcoming point guard Kyrie Irving back in December.
If the teams remain healthy (knock on wood), not only does a rematch seem likely, but a seven-game instant classic feels plausible as well.
Simone Biles Takes Gymnastics All-Around Gold
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American gymnast Simone Biles is the golden girl of the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio. In October, she won her third straight world championship in the all-around competition. At 18 years of age and before her first Olympics, Biles is already the most decorated female gymnast of all time.
Teammate Gabby Douglas could give her a run for her money, but to say Biles is a heavy favorite in Rio would be an understatement.
Lionel Messi Wins Ballon D'Or
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FC Barcelona forward Lionel Messi missed two months of 2015 with a knee injury, and he is still on the (very) short list to win the Ballon d'Or.
In fact, rumors have surfaced that FIFA accidentally leaked Messi as the winner of the award—which is not set to be announced until Jan. 11—though the organization denied that claim.
Messi came back from his injury and jumped right back into his scoring ways. On Jan. 6, he scored two and assisted on two of FC Barcelona's goals in a 4-1 win over Espanyol.
Serena Williams Passes Steffi Graf in Grand Slam Titles
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Serena Williams is sitting at 21 Grand Slam titles for her career, and if 2015 was any indication, the 34-year-old won't slow down.
Last year, Williams completed the "Serena Slam," winning four consecutive majors. She is now just one away from Steffi Graf's total of 22. Graf is second on the all-time list, only to Margaret Court, who won 24 Grand Slams.
Come to think of it, it's not inconceivable that Williams could pass Court in 2016, too.
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