The end of the year is approaching and there have been many performances in many different realms of the culture. During this 5 part series I'll break down who and what I think was the best athlete, best game, top songs, top albums and top music artists of the year. 2018 was a blast, one of the best years for the culture, let's find out what/who was the best.
10. Tom Brady
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| Tom Brady |
In 2018, Brady's metal has been tested. Not only is at his oldest, but this year has been the worst supporting cast he's ever had. The 2017 regular season MVP, Tom Brady had the best game a losing quarterback has ever had in the Super Bowl. At 40 years old, Brady completed 28 of his 48 passes for 505 yards for 3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. That stat line by his self should've garnered the MVP trophy regardless if he won or not.
Brady's 2018 season, hasn't been his best ever. It's not his 50 touchdown year from 11 years ago, but Brady has been steady as ever, throwing for 3,979 yards, 24 TDs to 9 INTs.
9. Kevin Durant
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| The Game 3 Dagger. |
As cheese as it is for Durant to be in Golden State, there's no denying his greatness. In 2018, Durant won his second title in as many years, as well as Finals MVP. He snatched the heart of LeBron James in company in game 3 again, in the same way he snatched their souls last years. A pull up 3, a dagger in the face and hearts of the Cavaliers. I'm not here to debate whether or not if he's a better basketball player than James, he's not, but there's no denial his talent and his worth last season in the playoffs. Last season in the playoffs Durant averaged 29, 8 boards, 5 assists and 1 block per game. Currently Durant is averaging 29 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists, and is undoubtedly one of the league's best 3 players.
8. Ezekiel Elliott
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| Leaping over the competition. |
No playoff performance this season from Zeke, but his 2018 NFL regular season has been something to marvel over. The 23 year old back is one of the mainstays in Dallas, and one of the few reasons why Dallas has looked like they can take the playoffs by storm, despite their inefficiency in their passing game. After missing the majority of 2017 due to suspension, Zeke has battled and undoubtedly is the best running back of 2018. With 286 carries and 1,346 yards and a whopping 72 catches for 563 yards through week 15, Zeke should be considered a viable MVP Candidate. If Dallas is to make a run in early January it'll because of 21.
7. Aaron Donald
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| Ninja Turtle. |
At 6' 284 lbs. Aaron Donald is one of the most undersized defensive tackles in the history of the league. Somebody forgot to tell him that was supposed to matter. Donald is one of the best athletes in the NFL and for the course of 2018, Donald has been dominate. There isn't a weakness in Donald's game. Like at all. Last year in the Rams playoff lost to the Falcons, Donald had half a sack with 4 tackles. From training with knives this summer he's led the Los Angeles Rams defense in supporting the Rams in being one of the best teams in the NFL with 48 tackles, 16.5 sacks, and 20 tackles for loss just through week 15.
6. James Harden
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| Boy look like a Black Irish Cow. |
The NBA's MVP for the 2017-2018 season did what he's done for the past 3 years: have an outstanding regular season, and sizzle out in the playoffs. That's a negative statement but I'm not going to ignore his greatness. Last season James Harden averaged 30 a game with 5.5 boards and 9 assists and 2 steals. This season Harden is back to those exact same numbers. The Rockets haven't done too hot this season, but last year Harden and Chris Paul pushed the greatest basketball team ever assembled to 7 games. Had Chris Paul stayed healthy, Harden's entire life's work would've been made. They would've beaten LeBron and the Cavs last year, but I just wasted two sentences worth because it didn't happen. Win you won James so I can like you. Harden is averaging about 31 points, 6 boards and 8 assists a game. If the Rockets perform the rest of the year like they have against the Lakers, they'll be back making noise in 2019.
5. Jacob deGrom
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| Chopped his curls and batters all year. |
The most difficult positions in sports are quarterback and pitcher. Both require tremendous leadership, integrity and grit to dominate a game. They also require other people to do their jobs in order for the team to have success. No better example is Jacob deGrom from the NY Mets who won the NL Cy Young on a team that went 77-85. deGrom became the 4th player to win a Cy Young with less than 20 wins on the year with a 10-9 record. 269 strikeouts ranks him 4th among MLB pitchers, 2nd in innings pitched and deGrom's stifling 1.70 ERA over his 32 starts in 2018, stood out on top of his competitors, forcing opposing teams to strain for runs, as well as giving up the fewest home runs per 9 innings.
4. Patrick Mahomes
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| MVP |
The youngster from Whitehouse, TX immediately set the league on fire this year, throwing 14 TDS in the first 3 games, all without throwing an interception. Since he sat all but one game last year, Pat is essentially a 23 year old rookie, but someone forgot to tell him that. He's made the Chiefs the most entertaining offense in all of the NFL, bringing in some of the Air Raid offense from Texas Tech that made him such a star. In his first season starting, through week 15, Mahomees has completed 67 percent of his passes, for 4,543 45 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. There's no doubt that he's the NFL's MVP already. It hasn't been close, and we haven't seen someone play the QB position with this much joy and excitement since the days of Farve.
3. LeBron James
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| King |
I've made it no secret that LeBron James is the greatest basketball player to ever do it in the NBA. Greatest competitor, debate is still out, but as far as being the most complete individual basketball player, it's James hands down. 2018 is a big reason why I can state these things. In year 15 of his NBA career, LeBron James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals in heroic fashion, outlasting the Indiana Pacers in 7, game winning shots in the sweep of the Toronto Raptors, and showing what a seasoned veteran looks like versus the young Boston Celtics. During the playoffs in 2018, James averaged 34 points, 9 boards, 9 assists, and 1 steal and block per game.
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| James. |
After leaving the Cavs, Bron shook the core of the NBA by moving to Hollywood full time and playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. James has prominence back to the Lakers since 2011, leading the Lakers to a 18-12 record, with 28 points a game, 8 rebounds and 7 assists in year 16. It takes special performances to top LeBron James, but the two left definitely did.
2. Mookie Betts
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| Mookie |
On top of having the best name and field swag in baseball, Mookie Betts is the best player in baseball. At 26 years old, 5'9 180 lbs, there's not a weakness in Betts game. Betts led the majors in batting average with .346. Betts led the majors in average wins above replacement with 10.9. Betts led the major in slugging percentage at .640. Betts led the majors in runs scored with 129. Betts led the majors in runs created with 156. Betts was second in the majors in extra base hits with 84, the leader had 85. Betts stole 30 bases this year, while also jacking 32 home runs.
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| The Best Bet. |
Oh and by the way he was the Golden Glove winner for right field in the American League as well. The 2018 season was one of the best of all time, as he helped the Red Sox lift the World Series Trophy once again.
1. Kyler Murray
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| Kyler |
It all started on the diamond in the spring of '18 when the OU's outfielder hit .296 with 56 hits, 10 going deep, and 46 RBIs. Those numbers, mixed with potential made him the number 9 pick of the 2018 MLB draft to the Oakland Athletics. With the desire to still play one more year of college football, Murray went on to set records at OU en route to winning the Heisman Trophy, the nation's best football player. Murray completed 71 percent of his passes throwing 241/340 for 4,053 yards in 13 games this season. His 40 to 7 touchdown to interception ratio was impeccable as he led Oklahoma to a 12-1 record. Murray takes on the Crimson Tide in what will be his biggest test of the season.
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| Heisman. |
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