Serena Williams has been named Sports Illustrated’s “Sportsperson Of The Year,” becoming the first woman to win since 2011, when then-Tennessee Volunteers coach Pat Summit shared the award with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski and became the all-time winningest coach in NCAA basketball history.
In 1999, the U.S. Women’s soccer team was given the award, which drew some criticism. The last time a woman was the sole winner of the award was in 1984, when speed skater Bonnie Blair was given the honor. Williams’ success is a momentous occasion for women in sports, but she faced very stiff competition for the honor in 2015. Here are five athletes who might feel justifiably snubbed today.
Serena Williams' Arrogance Is Back
Stephen Curry, PG, Warriors
Curry was the best player on the best team in the NBA last season. Curry’s Warriors were in first place from start to finish last year, with Curry winning the MVP award and leading his team to an NBA title. His success has carried over into this season, which the Warriors began 24-0, with Curry currently putting together one of the greatest starts to a season of all-time.
Curry is averaging 32 points and six assists this year, hitting nearly 46 percent of his 3-pointers, and posting a 33.7 PER, which higher than any of the PER numbers LeBron James posted in his four MVP campaigns, and nearly six points better than Curry’s mark last year.
Curry's Brilliance Still Can't Touch Messi's
Lionel Messi, F, Barcelona
Messi’s so great that a year like he had in 2015 is taken for granted. Messi’s club won the UEFA Champions League, as well as the Copa del Rey and La Liga Cups. Messi is also the favorite to win his fifth World Player of the Year award. Messi might want to take a year off just to remind the people of Sports Illustrated just how incredible he is.
Carli Lloyd, M, U.S. Women’s Team
The soccer players suffered from America’s indifference to the World’s Game. Lloyd captivated the country for a few days thanks to her mind-blowing performance in the Women’s World Cup Final vs. Japan. Lloyd scored three goals in just 16 minutes, vs. the Japanese putting the U.S. well on their way to a laugher. She wouldn’t be getting this award based on one good game though. Lloyd scored six goals in total, and won the World Cup’s Golden Ball.
Usain Bolt, Sprinter, Jamaica
The fastest man in the world, at 29 years old, is still the fastest man in the world. Bolt became the all-time leader in World Championships medals in 2015, and set the record for fastest 200-meter time (19.55 seconds). He also successfully defended his crown in the 100, 200m and 4x100 events. In a young man’s game, Bolt is a geezer who is outworking his foes.
Novak Djokovic, Men’s Tennis
Djokovic is quietly the one with the best case to have beaten out Williams. He doesn’t have the cultural impact of Williams, but his on-court results are arguably better. Williams captivated the world with her chase for a calendar-year Grand Slam, but Djokovic also won three Grand Slam tournaments.
He won 10 titles in 2015, put together a 22-match winning streak (Curry would be impressed), and has only lost five times. He only lost two more times than Williams, and he played in 27 more matches.
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