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The ESPYS
The ESPYS is an annual award show where individual and team athletic achievements and other sports related events are recognized and honored by American cable television network ESPN. From its inception in 1993 to 2004, the ESPY award winners were chosen only by fan voting however from 2004 onwards sportswriters, broadcasters, sports executives, sportspersons and collectively experts or ESPN personalities also vote. The ESPN Select Nominating Committee shortlists candidates from whom the award winners are chosen after online fan balloting.
The 2015 ESPYS was were conducted on July 15th, 8 pm Eastern Time at the Microsoft Center in Downtown Los Angeles. It was hosted by actor and comedian Joel McHale. Also for the first time in the show’s 23 year history, the ceremony was broadcasted on ABC (American Broadcasting Company).
NBA makes presence felt at the 2015 ESPYS
The NBA as players or teams were nominated in quite a few categories:
The Golden State Warriors, who won 67 games this season, were nominated for the Best Team award. The Game 7 between the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs was nominated for the Best Game award.
Individually, Stephen Curry and LeBron James were nominated in the Best Male Athlete Category. The duo along with Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis and James Harden were the five players nominated for the Best NBA Player Award. While that was it for everybody else, James was nominated in another category-the Best Championship Performance Award. While the players shined with their nominations, Steve Kerr, who became the first rookie head coach to win the NBA Championship since Pat Riley in 1982, was nominated in the best Coach/Manager Award.
NBA Award Winners
Stephen Curry won the award in both the categories he was nominated. He won the Best NBA Player award which isn’t much of a surprise considering he is the reigning league Most Valuable Player. However in the category of Best Male Athlete it was not so simple, Curry was selected for the award ousting James and NFL players Aaron Rodgers and J.J. Watt.
"I'm 6-3, 180 pounds soaking wet, so it's really nice to be called an athlete every once in a while.”-Stephen Curry on receiving the Best Male Athlete Award
For Curry’s entire speech, click here.
James has been a multiple winner of the two awards Curry just won, so he was bound to make his presence felt at the ceremony and so he did. Leading players from both teams in points, rebounds and assists during the 2015 NBA Finals, LeBron James won the Best Championship Performance Award. Although he finished on the losing side, his Finals performance was one of the greatest we have ever seen in recent history.
The Golden State Warriors might not have won the Best Team award but their record breaking outstanding season made sure that their rookie Head Coach Steve Kerr won the Best Coach/Manager Award.
Honorary Awards
Icon Award:- 5 time World Series Champion New York Yankees superstar Derek Jeter.
Best Moment :- Lauren Hill specifically for the 2014 Hiram vs Mount St. Joseph women’s basketball game
Arthur Ashe Courage Award :- Catilyn Jenner
Jimmy V Perseverance Award :- Leah and Devon Still
Pat Tillman Award for Service :- Danielle Green
| Best Female Athlete:- Rondo Rousey | Best Breakthrough Athlete :- M’one Davis |
| Best Record Breaking Performance :- Peyton Manning | Best Upset :- Ole Miss over Alabama-College Football |
| Best Game :- Super Bowl XLIX | Best Team :- U.S Women’s Soccer (FIFA) |
| Best Comeback Athlete:- Rob Gronkowski | Best International Athlete :- Lionel Messi |
| Best NFL Player :- Aaron Rodgers | Best NHL Player :- Jonathan Toews |
| Best MLB Player :- Mike Trout | Best MLS Player :- Robbie Keane |
| Best WNBA Player :- Skylar Diggins | Best Fighter :- Ronda Rousey |
| Best Male Golfer :- Jordan Spieth | Best Female Golfer :- Lydia Ko |
| Best Male Tennis Player :- Novak Djokovic | Best Female Tennis Player :- Serena Williams |
| Best Male College Athlete :- Marcus Moriota | Best Female College Athlete:- Missy Franklin |
| Best Male Action Sports Athlete :- Ryan Dungey | Best Female Action Sports Athlete:- Kelly Clark |
| Best Jockey :- Victor Espinoza | Best Bowler:- Jason Belmonte |
| Best Male Athlete with a Disability:-Krige Schabort | Best Female Athlete with a Disability:- Becca Meyers |
| Best Driver :- Kevin Harvick |
