This coming Wednesday, the best athletes from across almost every sport disciplines will be exchanging jerseys and team uniforms for suits and dresses as the 2017 edition of the ESPY Awards happens at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Get ready as the top performers of recent memory will be feted while memorable moments will be recognized in Tinseltown.
We have a strong group here that includes some record-breakers. Kris Bryant didn’t set any significant milestones save for his new deal with the Chicago Cubs, but the reigning MLB National League MVP was a big reason why the Cubs broke the franchise’s 108-year World Series drought in 2016.
Sidney Crosby won his third and second-straight Stanley Cup this past June, while Russell Westbrook threatened to damage the fabric of the NBA universe on a nightly basis with a season-long statistical assault, concluding in him averaging a triple-double on the season and at the same time breaking Oscar Robertson’s record for most trip-dubs in a season.
Michael Phelps, meanwhile, had a bigger stage to showcase his dominance in his sport, as the American swimmer won five more Olympic gold medals in Rio to add to his collection. He ended his Olympic career with 23 gold medals overall, the most ever by an athlete in any sport.
Prediction: Russell Westbrook
Best Female Athlete
Olympians are well represented in this category with gymnast Simon Biles, swimmer Katie Ledecky, and tennis star Serena Williams all nominated along with Candace Parker of the WNBA. Williams has won the award twice before (2003, 2013) but Biles and Ledecky’s respective four-gold medal performances in Rio are going to be tough to ignore for voters. Parker earns a nod to be part of the nominees after leading the Los Angeles Sparks to a title.
Prediction: Serena Williams
Best Championship Performance
Tom Brady and Kevin Durant lend their star power to this category with both having preternatural performances in Super Bowl LI and in the 2016 NBA Finals respectively. Brady won his fifth Super Bowl ring last February after helping the New England Patriots overcome a massive 25-point deficit against the Atlanta Falcons.
Durant, who was signed by the Golden State Warriors last year, earned his first NBA title and did it in astounding fashion, putting up 35.2 points in five games versus LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Oklahoma Sooner Shay Knighten, meanwhile, is vying for the recognition on the strength of her amazing Women’s College World Series play, hitting .350 in the WCWS to lead his team to a finals win over the Florida Gators.
DeShaun Watson, now with the Houston Texans, gets nominated for his clutch play in the National College Football Championship that helped the Clemson Tigers upend the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Prediction: Tom Brady
The rest of award categories and nominees
Category
Nominees
Best Team
Chicago Cubs, MLB
Clemson Tigers, CFB
Golden State Warriors, NBA
Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL
New England Patriots, NFL
South Carolina Gamecocks, Women’s NCAA Basketball
US Women’s Gymnastics
Best Game
Cubs vs. Indians, World Series Game 7
Patriots vs. Falcons, Super Bowl
Federer vs. Nadal, Australian Open Final
Best NFL Player
Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
Best MLB Player
Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs
David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox
Rick Porcello, Boston Red Sox
Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals
Mike Trout, LA Angels
Best NHL Player
Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus Blue Jackets
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
Best NBA Player
Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors
James Harden, Houston Rockets
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Best Play
Julian Edelman Super Bowl catch vs. 16. Noah Brown TD catch around defender
Morgan Williams buzzer beater vs. UConn vs.15. Larry Nance dunk
Aaron Rodgers to Jared Cook vs. 14. Lamar Jackson hurdles defender
Northwestern buzzer beater vs. 13. Edwin Encarnacion walk off HR
Russell Westbrook buzzer beater vs. 12. LeBron James dunk off the backboard
Chris Coghlan leaps over catcher vs. 11. Sidney Crosby one-handed goal
