Junior forward Theo Pinson (1) strategizes with senior forward Kennedy Meeks (3) during the game against N.C. State.
2016 was rough — there's really no other way to describe it.
But with every setback and disappointment, there is the opportunity for comebacks.
As a result of the law of averages, or karma or whatever you believe in, we are given chances for redemption, both personally and professionally. We can only hope 2017 will bring some much-needed relief.
To give you inspiration to make your own comeback, here are some of the best comebacks, ranging from sports stars to fictional characters to celebrities.
2016 who?
Britney Spears
This may be the greatest comeback of all comebacks. Britney is currently slaying on all cylinders and acting like 2007 never happened. She’s proving that we too can come back from the lowest lows and rise to our best selves.
In the 2016 NBA Finals, LeBron and the Cavs came back from a 3-1 series deficit to win the NBA crown. Before this series, no team had ever gone on to win after being down 3-1 in a series.
Before their curse-breaking win last fall, the Chicago Cubs had gone 108 years without a World Series win, making their win a comeback decades in the making. Fly the W indeed.
Jack Sparrow in "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End"
In the beginning of "At World’s End," Captain Jack Sparrow is seemingly dead in Davy Jones’ locker. Yet he is freed by pirate pals Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann and goes on to save his crew and Will from the British as well.
After not releasing music for several years, Elliott returned in 2015 with a performance alongside Katy Perry during the Super Bowl halftime show. She released some new music later in the year, and is supposedly releasing an album sometime in the near future.
*SPOILER ALERT* Jon Snow literally came back from the most dire of situations. If you don’t know, stop reading. After being turned on by his fellow men of the Night’s Watch, Snow was brought back to life by Melisandre to do big, important things.
Following a slightly disappointing 2012 Olympics, Phelps announced his retirement from swimming. After a stint in rehab following a DUI, Phelps recommitted to the sport and made the 2016 Olympic team, where he went on to win six more medals.
Following early successes in the 80s and 90s, Downey Jr. was arrested numerous times on drug-related charges and spent time in jail. He made a huge comeback in 2008, starring in "Iron Man" and earning Best Supporting Actor nominations for his role in "Tropic Thunder."
TBT to that time that Michael Jordan, Space Jam star and the GOAT, retired from professional basketball in 1993 in order to play professional baseball. Following a stint in the minors, he returned to the Chicago Bulls in 1995 as if he had never left. He went on to win three more championships and, more importantly, star in "Space Jam."
