Unlike other media outlets, who merely rank the top stories of the year without letting you know exactly how they decided, I believe in letting them decide it on the field.
Also unlike other media outlets, I add personal events of 2015 to the tournament. The biggest stories are those that affect you (or, in this case, me) right?
So let the tournament begin. Eight stories in a three-round, single-elimination tournament to decide the biggest news event of 2015.
Quarterfinals
Mrs. Brad and I travel to Hawaii vs. Drought continues.
Every few years (nine, in this case), Mrs. Brad and I return to Hawaii for a week of relaxation and fun. We did it in November, for the first time since our kids became adults. Aloha, right? Meanwhile, the rain stayed away for a third straight year and we finally got what we feared: Horrific fires in Northern California. The Hawaii trip was fun, but the drought description includes the word "horrific." Drought advances.
Paris terror attacks vs. Installation of "trashketball" hoop in my cubicle.
On the surface, this seems ridiculous – how can a Nerf basketball hoop that's attached to the wall of my cubicle at work be important? Well . . . I used it nearly every day this year. It came into play frequently, while the Paris terrorist attacks were a news story that reminded me of what I already knew. So . . . oh, I can't do it. Terror attacks were a huge story. They advance to the semifinals.
Supreme Court decision on gay marriage vs. Warriors win NBA championship.
These have more in common than you think. Both happened this summer. Both prompted big celebrations in the Bay Area. Both angered right-wing Cleveland Cavaliers fans. (OK, the last one was a stretch.) However, anyone paying attention saw the gay marriage decision coming. No one saw the Warrior big season coming until things got rolling. Therefore, for winning their first championship since 1975, the Warriors advance.
2016 presidential race gets off to a fast start vs. Caitlyn Jenner saga.
Rand Paul's hair. Donald Trump's bluster. Hillary Clinton's emails. Ben Carson's biography. Caitlyn Jenner's interviews. The presidential race and the Jenner gender identity change got more media coverage than merited, but both were so fascinating we couldn't take our eyes off them. However, the presidential race will affect us for the next four or eight years, while Caitlyn Jenner will likely be a footnote to reality TV history. The presidential race advances.
Semifinals
Drought continues vs. Paris terror attacks
There's no way to say this without sounding insensitive, so I won't. Drought wins. (Send your complaints about my insensitivity to kelvinsbrother@sbcglobal.net.)
Warriors win title vs. Presidential race starts
Which is more compelling TV: Steph Curry's jumper or Donald Trump's facial expressions? Which seems more otherworldly: Draymond Green's energy or Ted Cruz's face? Which family dynasty is greater: Mychael and Klay Thompson or Bill and Hillary Clinton? I know my answers and I'll put it this way: I didn't watch every presidential debate in 2015. I watched every Warriors playoff game. Dubs win. Again.
Finals
Drought continues vs. Warriors win title
This one's tough, but here's the difference: The rain drought has lasted a few years. The Warriors' title drought lasted 40 years. If it continues to be dry until 2051, we'll talk. Until then . . . Splash Brothers win another title.
Brad Stanhope is a former Daily Republic editor. Reach him at bradstanhope@hotmail.com.
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