The San Francisco Giants had just won their third World Series in five years (2010, 2012 and 2014); Ohio State defeated 2014 Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota and the Oregon Ducks in the first-ever College Football Playoff National Championship the month prior; projected lottery picks Jahlil Okafor and Justise Winslow were leading Duke on what became a National Championship season; the Golden State Warriors were ascending into an NBA powerhouse under first-year head coach Steve Kerr and went on to win the franchise's first championship in 40 years.