One of the only things I look forward to on Sportscenter each year is the end of the year top 10 games special. There were a number of classic games staged during the year and I think it's tough to come up with 10.
Anyway here's what I think the criteria should be for picking the list.
1. The game has to be significant. Playoff games should count more than regular season even if the regular season contest is more exciting.
2. Factor of incredulity -- Major Upset, An incredible individual effort, or thrilling buzzer beating finish. The more you say "I can't believe this is happening," the better the game.
3. How the game impacts the rest of the participants' career. Does it revitalize a struggling career? Would a loss send the athlete into retirement? (Bettis, Agassi)
My Top 10
10. Colts-Steelers...With the Pats out it was the Colts year...only to choke at home.. It had the Bettis fumble and the Vanderjagt's missed kick.
9. Tiger's British Open Win...After his father's death, this showed Tiger was back. He was an absolute machine on the back 9 on Sunday...probably the best he's been besides the '97 Masters. Helped by the emotional reaction after tapping in on 18.
8. Mets-Cards Game 7...The Chavez catch, Molina's home run, great duel between two pitchers who no one expected to give up a combined two runs.
7. Suns Triple Overtime win over the Nets...More than 300 combined points in a classic that featured two great performances by the best pg's of the decade.
6. Italy beats Germany in extra time...Ahead of the final because this game had end to end action and two amazing goals when penalty kicks looked to be inevitable.
5. Heat comeback in Game 3...The series was over without Wade single-handily carrying his team...SI agreed
4. George Mason over UCONN...Classic David v. Goliath matchup to go to the Final Four...A Buzzer Beater to send it to overtime and then a miss by Brown in the extra session that sent the building into pandemonium.
3. Agassi-Baghdaitis...Maybe too high cause of my tennis bias but if Agassi lost, his career would have been over. The match had fans on the edge of their seats for the final two sets. It first appeared Agassi would cruise, then Baghdaitis stormed all the way back, only to cramp and continue to play through it.
2. Michigan-Ohio State...For the six weeks of hype from ESPN, it at least lived up to it. Though Michigan scored late to make the final score seem closer than the game really was, they did have a chance to take the lead early in the 4th quarter.
1. Texas-USC...Sublime performance by Young...End of USC's winning streak...easily the best game.
shirt wasn't even room for Kobe's buzzer beaters or Lefty's choke at the Open.
Anyway here's what I think the criteria should be for picking the list.
1. The game has to be significant. Playoff games should count more than regular season even if the regular season contest is more exciting.
2. Factor of incredulity -- Major Upset, An incredible individual effort, or thrilling buzzer beating finish. The more you say "I can't believe this is happening," the better the game.
3. How the game impacts the rest of the participants' career. Does it revitalize a struggling career? Would a loss send the athlete into retirement? (Bettis, Agassi)
My Top 10
10. Colts-Steelers...With the Pats out it was the Colts year...only to choke at home.. It had the Bettis fumble and the Vanderjagt's missed kick.
9. Tiger's British Open Win...After his father's death, this showed Tiger was back. He was an absolute machine on the back 9 on Sunday...probably the best he's been besides the '97 Masters. Helped by the emotional reaction after tapping in on 18.
8. Mets-Cards Game 7...The Chavez catch, Molina's home run, great duel between two pitchers who no one expected to give up a combined two runs.
7. Suns Triple Overtime win over the Nets...More than 300 combined points in a classic that featured two great performances by the best pg's of the decade.
6. Italy beats Germany in extra time...Ahead of the final because this game had end to end action and two amazing goals when penalty kicks looked to be inevitable.
5. Heat comeback in Game 3...The series was over without Wade single-handily carrying his team...SI agreed
4. George Mason over UCONN...Classic David v. Goliath matchup to go to the Final Four...A Buzzer Beater to send it to overtime and then a miss by Brown in the extra session that sent the building into pandemonium.
3. Agassi-Baghdaitis...Maybe too high cause of my tennis bias but if Agassi lost, his career would have been over. The match had fans on the edge of their seats for the final two sets. It first appeared Agassi would cruise, then Baghdaitis stormed all the way back, only to cramp and continue to play through it.
2. Michigan-Ohio State...For the six weeks of hype from ESPN, it at least lived up to it. Though Michigan scored late to make the final score seem closer than the game really was, they did have a chance to take the lead early in the 4th quarter.
1. Texas-USC...Sublime performance by Young...End of USC's winning streak...easily the best game.
shirt wasn't even room for Kobe's buzzer beaters or Lefty's choke at the Open.
