Surprising Teams (2021):
- Phoenix Suns (NBA): The Suns had a remarkable season, making it to the NBA Finals, led by their star guard Devin Booker and veteran point guard Chris Paul.
- Atlanta Hawks (NBA): The Hawks exceeded expectations by reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in the NBA playoffs, showcasing the young talents of Trae Young.
- San Francisco Giants (MLB): The Giants surprised many in Major League Baseball by finishing with one of the best records in the league and making the playoffs.
- Leicester City (Premier League): Leicester City continued to perform well in the English Premier League, securing a top-four finish and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.
Disappointing Teams (2021):
- New York Yankees (MLB): The Yankees, with high expectations, faced a challenging season and didn’t perform as well as anticipated, leading to disappointment for their fanbase.
- Minnesota Vikings (NFL): The Vikings were expected to contend in the NFL, but they fell short of making the playoffs, disappointing their fans and followers.
- Juventus (Serie A): Juventus, a dominant force in Italian football, faced challenges during the Serie A season, finishing outside the top positions, which was considered a disappointment for the club.