25 Sports Topics That Will Dominate the Rest of 2016
We're already through the first quarter of 2016, but in many ways the sports calendar is just starting to heat up. Baseball season is upon us, and the NBA and NHL playoffs are just around the corner.
The biggest and best combat sports events of the year are yet to come, and the college and pro football seasons will bring their own brand of intrigue.
What about the various free-agent signings and the major sports drafts yet to take place? Those are always the source of spirited debates.
Buckle up, sports fans, it's going to be a big year. Here's a list of 25 sports topics that will dominate the rest of the year.
Chicago Cubs Chase a World Series Title
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The Chicago Cubs have gone into seasons in the past with high hopes. The 1985 and 2004 campaigns come to mind as years when the fanbase had legitimate reason to feel as though their team had a chance to end their World Series drought.
The anticipation in those two years combined doesn't compare to the hype that surrounds the 2016 Cubs. Many experts have picked the Cubs to win the World Series. They have the right manager in Joe Maddon, and the team is stacked with a young nucleus and just enough veteran leadership.
How talented are the Cubs?
The 2015 team had the National League Cy Young winner in Jake Arrieta, the Manager of the Year in Maddon and a player who finished fourth in the NL MVP race in Anthony Rizzo—and he may not even be the best player on the team this year.
After two games, the Cubs are 2-0, and they outscored the Los Angeles Angels 15-1.
As the Cubs' 2016 season unfolds, expect tons of attention from the media., mounds of love from Cubs Nation and piles of hate from almost every fanbase in the country.
Corey Seager's Rookie Season
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Corey Seager is 21 years old. He plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers and is really good. On the strength of those three facts, you can bet the early National League Rookie of the Year favorite will get plenty of attention in the 2016 season.
Through his first two games, Seager hit .444 with two RBI and two runs. The Dodgers won both games by a combined score of 18-0. If Seager and the Dodgers continue to excel, his rookie season will be another major storyline to follow through the 2016 baseball season.
Golden State Warriors Chase History
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Through April 5, the Golden State Warriors held a record of 69-9. If they win their final four games, they will break the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls' record for most wins in an NBA season.
That's just the beginning.
If the Warriors really want to make history, they have to win the NBA championship. If they don't, their season will be akin to the 2007 New England Patriots' undefeated regular season run. The Patriots couldn't complete the journey because they lost Super Bowl XLII to the New York Giants.
The entire sports world will be watching to see if Stephen Curry and the Warriors can top the Bulls and repeat as NBA champions.
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Kevin Durant's Free-Agency Recruitment
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By far, the biggest prize of the NBA free-agent period this summer will be Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant.
The Thunder will pull out all of the stops to get him to stay, but the lure from teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Warriors, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets and others figures to be significant.
Not since LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat in 2010, and then left South Beach to return to The Land in 2014, has one player been positioned to shift the balance of power in the NBA by signing on the dotted line.
Wherever Durant signs, the team will be among the favorites to reach the 2017 NBA Finals.
LeBron James Free-Agency Situation
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Could James swoop in and steal the free-agent spotlight from Durant?
LBJ will be a free agent at the end of the season as well. Most believe he'll return to Cleveland for a king's ransom and benefit from the league's expanded funds provided by the new television deal that kicks in next season.
However, conspiracy theorists like Jack Moore of GQ magazine entertain the idea of James spurning the Cavs again.
If James were to again leave the Cavs, it would set off a wave of reaction that would make Durant's signing seem like firecracker compared to a cannon. If James is serious about leaving, you better believe there will be teams lining up to make their city his kingdom.
Derrick Rose Trade Talks
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While two former league MVPs decide who they'll play for next season, another could be part of a high-profile trade. There haven't been any founded rumors about the Chicago Bulls trading Derrick Rose, but it could be wind up being a story this summer.
However, as the Bulls finish up a disappointing 2015-16 season and Rose gets ready to enter the final year of his contract, there may not be a more appropriate time to explore a deal that sends him out of his hometown.
Rose has played in 64 games this season. That's the most he's played since his MVP campaign in 2010-11. Rose started the season struggling mightily with his shot, but he came on after Christmas and has been much better in the second half.
Through April 4, Rose was averaging 16.5 points and 4.7 assists per game. Those aren't All-Star numbers, but there's no doubt he can still be a difference-maker on the offensive end.
If the Bulls want to trade Rose, there will probably be a few takers.
Ben Simmons' Rookie Season
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Ben Simmons had a spectacular freshman season for the LSU Tigers from a statistical standpoint. He averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and two steals per game. The 6'10", 225-pounder from Australia is perhaps the most physically gifted prospect we've seen in a while.
He has his critics. Some point out the fact Simmons was unable to lead the Tigers to the NCAA tournament as a reason to doubt his talent.
Nonetheless, Simmons will almost certainly be the first pick in the 2016 NBA draft. Expect him to receive more attention than most No. 1 picks because of his talent level and mixed assessments.
The Development of Josh Jackson
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Move over, Simmons, the next batch of super freshmen are on their way to college basketball. The as-yet uncommitted Josh Jackson might be the most talented one of them all.
You'll get some arguments from fans of Duke Blue Devils commits Harry Giles and Jayson Tatum, but Jackson's bounce and style might make him a more polarizing figure.
When you consider there's still a recruiting battle going on for his services in the 2016-17 season, you have a kid whose development will be among the most prominent stories in college basketball.
MMA in New York
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On March 23, the sport of mixed martial arts won a long battle to become legal in the state of New York. The legislation opens up massive doors for the sport as it can now be seen live and on a grand stage in the media capital of the world.
The UFC isn't the only professional MMA promotion in the world, but it's definitely the biggest. Because of that, the UFC stands to gain the most.
CEO Lorenzo Fertitta said the UFC is hoping to put on two events in The Empire State for 2016. Expect the inaugural event to be the biggest sports story of the day when it happens.
The Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz Rematch
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The first time Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz fought, it was a last-minute deal precipitated by an injury to Rafael dos Anjos. McGregor was supposed to challenge dos Anjos for his lightweight crown, but an injured foot forced the champion to bow out.
Instead, the brash Irishman bit off more than he could chew against the outspoken, talented and fearless Diaz. The latter choked McGregor out to give him his first loss in the UFC and just the second defeat of his MMA career.
The matchup was a popular one despite the abbreviated hype period. Diaz and McGregor are probably the two best trash talkers in the UFC. The buildup to their rematch at UFC 200 on July 9 figures to be epic.
It may wind up being the biggest and most watched non-title fight in UFC history.
Ronda Rousey's Return to the Octagon
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Despite her humiliating defeat at the hands of Holly Holm in November 2015, Ronda Rousey is still arguably the biggest star in the UFC. UFC President Dana White confirmed Rousey will return to the Octagon in 2016.
It's unclear who she will face, but White said, per Andrea Hale of Yahoo Sports, Rousey's return is likely to take place in November or December.
While we may have to wait until the the final two months of the year to see Rousey fight again, you have expect the announcement will come at the end of the summer. The hype for Rousey's return will be almost as big as the fight.
CM Punk's UFC Debut
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OK, as if you couldn't tell, 2016 is going to be a big year for the UFC.
Former WWE heavyweight champion CM Punk left the ranks of professional wrestling to pursue a career in the UFC. The 37-year-old's initial announcement came in December 2014.
He initially said he'd make his debut in 2015. That didn't happen, and a back injury has postponed his supposed debut against Mickey Gall. Punk is said to still have plans on fighting in 2016.
Don't be shocked if his debut lands on the same card as Rousey's return and it takes place in New York.
NFL in Los Angeles
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Just like the UFC will benefit from having its sport in New York, the NFL will see a boon in business with its return to Los Angeles. The Rams organization bolted St. Louis for the City of Angels and will begin playing on the left coast in the 2016 season.
The Rams came from L.A. to St. Louis in 1994 after originally hailing from Cleveland.
With a new state-of-the-art facility under construction in Inglewood, California and said to be ready for the 2019 season, the Rams are set up to become one of the glamour franchises in the NFL.
During the 2016 season, the team will play at the Los Angeles Coliseum, sharing the venue with the USC Trojans. While the Rams aren't expected to be a contending team in 2016, the return of an NFL franchise to Los Angeles is an even bigger deal than MMA in New York.
Robert Griffin III's Resurgence
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Consider this one a bit of a prediction: Robert Griffin III will rediscover his mojo with the Cleveland Browns. RG3 signed a two-year deal with the team in March.
Under the tutelage of offensive mastermind and new Browns head coach Hue Jackson, RG3 has the perfect situation to bounce back. Call this a bold prediction, but he will throw for 3,500 yards and 24 TD passes for a surprisingly competitive Browns team.
From 2012-13, he was one of the most popular players in the NFL.
Were he to play well for the Browns, he'd become the odds-on favorite to win NFL comeback Player of the Year.
Carson Wentz vs. Jared Goff Debate
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North Dakota State's Carson Wentz and California's Jared Goff look like locks to be the first two quarterbacks taken in the 2016 NFL draft. NFL.com draft expert Bucky Brooks has Wentz landing with the Browns at No. 2 and Goff being taken by the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 8 in his latest mock draft.
Even if one or both of them were to slide, no other QB figures to leapfrog them in draft order.
It's inevitable; the first two QBs taken in any draft are usually compared to each other throughout their rookie seasons and beyond. Because of the small school vs. big school dynamic, this debate and comparison will have another element.
If Brooks is correct with his projections, there could be a race to see which rookie hits the field first. Both the Browns and Eagles have veteran quarterbacks on the roster. Starting from Week 1 would be far from a lock for both Wentz and Goff.
DeShaun Watson's Heisman Campaign
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After finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting and putting on a show in the College Football Playoff, the Clemson Tigers' DeShaun Watson has to be considered a top candidate for the 2016 Heisman Trophy.
He threw for 4,106 yards, 35 touchdowns and just 13 interceptions. Watson also ran for 1,105 yards and 12 scores on the ground. His toughness and leadership qualities are more impressive than his stats.
When the Tigers were on their way to defeat against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the national championship game, Watson never blinked. He took on every challenge with ideal body language and effort.
It took more than half the season for Watson to get the attention and credit he deserved in 2015. In 2016, the spotlight will be on him from Day 1.
Christian McCaffrey's Heisman Campaign
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Watson's stiffest competition for the Heisman is likely to come from the Stanford Cardinal's Christian McCaffrey. The latter set a single-season record with 2,664 yards from scrimmage in 2015.
McCaffrey was a threat to take it to the house every time he touched the ball. He scored 15 times as a sophomore.
It will be difficult for him to match that production again this season, but like Watson, he'll be getting maximum exposure in 2016 as opposed to the underdog treatment his Heisman campaign had in 2015.
Alabama's Run to a Repeat National Championship
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Clemson and Stanford will likely come into the 2016 season with some national championship dreams, but like most seasons the path to college football glory will likely run through Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
The Alabama Crimson Tide will be the favorites to win their second consecutive national championship.
Sure, the Tide lost standouts like Reggie Ragland, A'Shawn Robinson, Kenyan Drake, Heisman winner Derrick Henry and last year's starting quarterback Jake Coker to the NFL draft, but all head coach Nick Saban does is reload.
Athlon Sports has 'Bama projected as the top team ahead of Clemson in their "very early" Top 25. The sports world will be watching to see if the Tide can remain on top for another season.
Floyd Mayweather's 50th Fight
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Floyd Mayweather announced his retirement after his win over Andre Berto in September 2015. His record is 49-0, which equals the mark set by heavyweight great Rocky Marciano.
Ever since Mayweather hung up the gloves, speculation that he would return to the ring has run rampant. Mayweather is driven by two things: money and legacy.
If there is a fight that could potentially pay him the type of cash he's accustomed to making for his in-ring work, it's hard to believe he wouldn't jump at the chance to make boxing history and another huge payday.
The most polarizing man in boxing still has the sports world waiting anxiously on his next move.
Heavyweight Boxing Scene
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Mayweather is still the straw that stirs the drink in boxing, but the sport's glamour division is on the rise. Boxing's popularity on a whole seems to suffer when there isn't an American heavyweight champion. That's probably not fair, but it's true.
Alabama native Deontay Wilder (36-0, 35 KO) is the current WBC champion. Charles Martin, who hails from St. Louis, is the current IBF champion. With half of the four recognized heavyweight titles in the hands of Americans, it seems the division could be ready for premium exposure.
Tyson Fury ignited the heavyweight revolution with his surprising unanimous-decision win over Wladimir Klitschko in October 2015. Fury is currently the unified WBA and WBO champion. He is set for a rematch with Klitschko later this year.
Both Martin and Wilder have tough tests in their next fights. Martin will defend his title on April 9 against British sensation and gold medalist from the London 2012 Olympics, Anthony Joshua.
Wilder faces Alexander Povetkin on May 21 in what could be his toughest fight to date. Of all the new breed of heavyweights, Wilder is the oldest at 30. That means the future should be bright.
It's been a while since there were this many intriguing heavyweights to watch.
2016 Rio Olympics
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It's the Olympics; is there really any need for further explanation?
NBA players will again take center stage in basketball. Jamaica's Usain Bolt could be set to deliver more gold in track and field in what figures to be his final Olympics. The same can be said for American swimming legend Michael Phelps. He came out of retirement for one more Olympic run.
Missy Franklin and Katie Ledecky figure to have more standout Olympic moments in the pool as well. That doesn't even begin to mention the surprising stories that will arise from the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Greatness and tons of media coverage awaits.
Tiger Woods' 2016 Season
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Rory McIlroy has established himself as the world's best golfer in the eyes of most, but he's still not Tiger Woods. The legend has struggled mightily in the past two seasons.
Injuries and distractions from his personal life have seemingly torn apart what once seemed like a near flawless game. At 40 years old, the 2016 season is crucial for Woods' future.
He won't play in the Masters this month as he continues to rehab his back. As good as McIlroy, Jason Day and Jordan Spieth are, Woods could push all of them to the second tier as it pertains to media attention.
If Woods is in contention in the final weekend of any major this year, it will become his tournament. Even if he continues to struggle, the golf world will stay plugged into Woods' continued decline.
Tiger is still the man, even though he may not be the man he used to be.
Pep Guardiola's Moves for Manchester City
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Ever since Pep Guardiola took over as manager for Manchester City, speculation about potential moves has been the source of conversation.
Guardiola took over the job on Feb. 1, and the high-profile manager will reportedly receive the equivalent of $211.8 million to spend on players.
Will he attempt to lure the likes of Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo or even Juventus standout Paul Pogba? It seems certain Guardiola will try to make a significant splash. Acquiring Ronaldo is probably a pipe dream, but Pogba is said to be on Guardiola's wishlist, according to David Anderson of the Mirror.
With the club expected to spare no expense to improve, the acquisition of Pogba and others could be the biggest story in world football in 2016.
Chicago Blackhawks' Attempt to Repeat
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The Chicago Blackhawks had their ups and downs this season, but they will enter the postseason as the likely No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. With MVP candidate Patrick Kane leading the way, the Blackhawks will be looking to repeat as Stanley Cup champions.
Chicago is in the midst of a dynasty, having won three Stanley Cups since the 2009-10 season. A fourth would make them arguably the best organization in professional sports this decade.
Even though many in the United States are just lukewarm on the NHL, the chase of a fourth Cup in seven years is a noteworthy angle to follow.
Serena Williams' Pursuit of Steffi Graf and Margaret Court
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Serena Williams has 21 Grand Slam titles in her illustrious tennis career. That total makes her third on the all-time list. Margaret Court is first with 24 and Steffi Graf is second with 22.
Williams had an opportunity to catch Graf, but she fell to upstart Angelique Kerber in the final at the 2016 Australian Open. Williams' next chance to tie Graf will be in the French Open in May.
If Williams wins the French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open, as she did in 2015, she will catch Court in 2016. Because she's 34 years old, catching Court probably needs to happen sooner rather than later.
Even an athlete and player as amazing as Williams is not immune to aging.
Father Time will be her biggest threat.
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