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15 Most Outstanding Athletes of 2014

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By @Connormuldowney

15 Most Outstanding Athletes of 2014

Kevin Durant
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The 2014 calendar year is just about over with and some athletes made this one of the best years of their entire career. We have compiled a list of 15 athletes, plus one honorable mention, who have been the most outstanding in 2014.

No. 1 might just surprise you.

Honorable Mention: Serena Williams

Serena Williams
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Honorable Mention: Serena Williams

Serena Williams
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Can't argue this one. Serena is an honorable mention on this list because it was impossible to keep her off. This slot as well as the next two slots on the list on basically interchangeable. Serena won the US Open in 2014, adding another trophy to the illustrious case, while maintaining her No. 1 world ranking.

15. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck
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15. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck
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Not many people have made the transition from college to professional quarterback as smoothly as Andrew Luck has with the Colts. Luck has become one of the NFL's premier passers as he will finish the 2014 season with about 5,000 yards, over 40 touchdown passes and less than 20 interceptions. This kid is going to win many MVPs and he will be Peyton Manning 2.0 in Indianapolis.

14. Maria Sharapova, Tennis

Maria Sharapova
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14. Maria Sharapova, Tennis

Maria Sharapova
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Last year's highest-paid female athlete, Sharapova has been called washed-up by many experts in recent years despite being just 27 years old. What did she do in 2014? Oh, you know, just win the French Open and shut the 'experts' up.

13. Shabazz Napier, Connecticut

Shabazz Napier
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13. Shabazz Napier, Connecticut

Shabazz Napier
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You can't win an NCAA Championship in basketball without having one of the most outstanding players of the year on your team -- just ask the Connecticut Huskies. Shabazz Napier put together one of the most impressive tournament runs in recent history and played himself into a first-round pick in 2014.

12. Lionel Messi, FC Barcelona

Lionel Messi
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12. Lionel Messi, FC Barcelona

Lionel Messi
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Can anyone really argue this one? Messi proved once again that he is the best soccer player in the world and he is quickly moving up the ranks as one of the best of all time.

11. LeBron James, Miami Heat/Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron James
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11. LeBron James, Miami Heat/Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron James
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Granted, LeBron did lose in the NBA Finals as a member of the Heat in 2014, but he worked hard all offseason to lose weight and get in shape for a return to Cleveland. He remains the best player in the NBA until proven otherwise -- although there are some stars gaining on him recently.

10. Rory McIlroy, PGA

Rory McIlroy
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10. Rory McIlroy, PGA

Rory McIlroy
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Despite his very public breakup, Rory McIlroy has been on fire this year. He is the No. 1 player in the world and his golfing skills have won him a PGA Player of the Year Award, a PGA Championship as well as an Open Championship -- his best year as a professional golfer.

9. DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys

DeMarco Murray
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9. DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys

DeMarco Murray
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The Dallas Cowboys have been a much-improved team thanks to the fantastic play of running back DeMarco Murray. He has been a top rusher in this league for a few years now and he's having his best year yet, leading the NFL in rushing yards by over 400 yards and making it look quite easy.

8. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos

Peyton Manning
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8. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos

Peyton Manning
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Peyton Manning may not have won the Super Bowl in 2014, but he led the Broncos all the way to the big game before falling to the Seattle Seahawks. On the other hand, he has been one of the league's top passers for 2013 as well as 2014 as he seems to only get better with age.

Another Super Bowl appearance seems almost likely.

7. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Kevin Durant
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7. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Kevin Durant
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Remember when I said there were young stars gaining on LeBron for the right to be named best player in the NBA? Well, Kevin Durant is that guy. The Thunder superstar won the NBA's MVP Award in 2014 and captured the hearts of everyone by calling his mother "the real MVP."

Everyone roots for this guy and watching him play is proof that you can be great on and off the court.

6. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

Sidney Crosby
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6. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

Sidney Crosby
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Crosby may be collectively regarded as one of the least liked players in the entire NHL -- outside of Pittsburgh -- but you can't deny his abilities. Sid the Kid had another great year as 2014 brought an MVP trophy and the 2014-15 season might bring another one of those and if he has it his way, a Stanley Cup.

5. Novak Djokovic, Tennis

Novak Djokovic
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5. Novak Djokovic, Tennis

Novak Djokovic
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Djokovic will finish the year ranked No. 1 yet again and it is no surprise as the Serbian star won the Wimbledon crown and was the runner-up in the French Open, losing to the world's No. 3 player, Rafael Nadal. Djokovic will contend for all four Grand Slam titles once again in 2015.

4. Marcus Mariota, Oregon Ducks

Marcus Mariota
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4. Marcus Mariota, Oregon Ducks

Marcus Mariota
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It would be a real shame to leave the Heisman Trophy winner and almost surely the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft off the list, so I didn't. In fact, Mariota earns the No. 4 slot because of his stellar play, throwing over 30 touchdowns and less than three interceptions this year.

This guy played himself into a top-three pick and he is a future NFL superstar.

3. Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels

Mike Trout
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3. Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels

Mike Trout
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As if the Mike Trout era in MLB hadn't already started, it was solidified as the young superstar won his first, of many, MVPs in 2014. This guy is one of very few talented five-tool stars in baseball and he makes everyone excited for the future of the league.

2. Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers

Clayton Kershaw
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2. Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers

Clayton Kershaw
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When was the last time we talked about a pitcher finishing a season with a sub-2.00 ERA? Yeah, it has been a while, but Clayton Kershaw changed that in 2014, going an astounding 21-3 with a 1.77 ERA, 239 strikeouts and a WHIP of 0.86. This was one of the best years for a starting pitcher in recent memory.

After hearing that, you obviously can't be surprised to hear he won the NL MVP as well as the CY Young Award.

1. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

Tim Duncan
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1. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

Tim Duncan
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This is sort of my surprise pick for the No. 1 spot on the list that may cause some argument. Some might argue Tim Duncan wasn't the only reason the Spurs won the 2014 NBA title, but others may argue that without Duncan, the Spurs wouldn't be nearly as successful.

This guy is proving that he is the best power forward in NBA history, no matter how old he is. Duncan is like a fine wine, he gets better with age.

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