You’re reading this because you like sports, so we don’t have to tell you there’s nothing better than watching a jaw-dropping highlight.
What we want you to tell is us this: which sport has THE best highlights? Are slick defensive plays in baseball more entertaining than a Mario Lemieux rush, or a Blake Griffin dunk? Is a Barry Sanders touchdown run more electrifying than a Cristiano Ronaldo strike?
Between now and Jan. 2 we’ve enlisted sportsnet.ca writers to make a written and visual case for their sport and we want you to vote using our poll below.
Dec. 29: Hockey
Dec. 30: Football
Dec. 31: Soccer
Jan. 1: Basketball
Jan. 2: Baseball
Of course, with a competition like this, there is no loser and the real winners are our eyes.
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I truly believe that, of any pro sport, NBA players are the best athletes.
But I can admit that basketball players haven’t exactly cornered the market in jaw-dropping physical feats. I can admit that, in its own way, this absurd Higuita save is just as impressive as this nutso Michael Jordan layup. Or that the Odell Beckham catch is as much of an athletic feat as this famous Vince Carter dunk.
Yet what sets basketball apart is the sheer volume of highlights at its disposal. That scorpion save was once-in-a-lifetime, and you’ll see a catch like Odell Beckham’s once or twice a season- maybe. But basketball is a highlight factory. Night after night, you’re guaranteed to see at least one or two jaw-on-the-floor highlights. And the range of highlights! Be it a stunning dribbling display, contorting dunk, or a soaring chase-down block, there’s enough variety in both the types of plays and the characters pulling them off that you’ll never grow tired.
Too many cooks may spoil the broth, but too many highlights? Now that’s a winning recipe.
Ultimate Pistol Pete Maravich
You have to pay close attention here; there are things that Maravich does with the ball that nobody has done before or since. A true basketball savant who let circumstance, injury, and personal demons stop him from being remembered as the single greatest offensive player of all-time.
MJ in Flight
The title says it all: The Artistry of Michael Jordan. Grace, power, creativity- when Jordan took to the air the court really did become his canvas.
2001 McDonald’s Highchool dunk contest
A personal favourite from back in the day, I included it here for the James White dunks alone, but the surprise ending doesn’t hurt, either.
