2018 in the rearview mirror: From Diego Maradona's World Cup histrionics to Naomi Osaka dancing, funniest moments

2018 was a barrel of laughs.

From Diego Maradona’s histrionics in the stands at the FIFA World Cup to JR Smith forgetting the score during Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the year was loaded with moments that tickled the funny bone. 

Here’s Firstpost’s selection of the most hilarious moments from the year:

That look on LeBron James’ face when JR Smith forgot the score in Game 1 of NBA Finals

When Nico Hulkenberg was left ‘hanging like a cow’

Virat Kohli clearly having fun in Australia

When Kristaps Porzingis met Lomachenko

San Antonio Spurs coach Greg Popovic being asked what makes LeBron James difficult to guard

There was something flying between Fernando Alonso’s legs during a race. And it’s not what you think it is

Why Daniel Ricciardo shouldn’t get excited while driving…

James Harden giving himself a nosebleed dunking

Sometimes you kick the football. Sometimes the ball hits you back! Michy Batshuayi knows that now.

Football’s a risky sport. Sometimes.

We discovered Zlatan’s doppleganger

Why did Magnus Carlsen change his socks mid-way during World Championships?

NHL mascot’s bad first day at work

James Harden walks out in…

When the ball got stuck. And then the towel followed

Kings trolling Steph Curry

When Fellaini tried to kill a paramedic in Liverpool clash

Own-goal, NBA style (When the Knicks dunked into their own basket)

Embiid rises for a windmill dunk. Embiid shanks the windmill dunk. Ben Simmons likes it!

Speaking of spectacularly shanked dunks, here’s Dennis Smith Junior with his entry

Hamidou Diallo has something to say about missed dunks

And here’s Steven Adams rising to the occasion as well

King James’ nomination is here

Draymond Green rocking the rim

Ben Simmons rises. Ben Simmons falls

Jayson Taytum

Steve Clifford

Joel Embiid with a hat-trick

Geraint Thomas’ Tour de France trophy gets stolen. Dope cheat Lance Armstrong wants him to give him his

How will Brexit affect Geraint Thomas?

Naomi Osaka vs Angelique Kerber. WTA Finals. One set all. Osaka makes a mistake. She has a question for her racquet.

When Naomi Osaka lost a mini-tennis game in training to coach Sascha Bajin, her punishment was to dance at Shibuya crosswalk, Part I

When Naomi Osaka lost a mini-tennis game in training to coach Sascha Bajin, her punishment was to dance at Shibuya crosswalk, Part II

When Ellen DeGeneres introducing Naomi Osaka to Michael B Jordan

Ellen sending Naomi Osaka a ‘birthday present’

Naomi Osaka on training days

Naomi Osaka tried her hand at #WhatTheFluffChallenge. And it didn’t go as per plan

When Naomi Osaka tried her hand at pool

Naomi Osaka with probably the best acceptance speech of all time

Naomi Osaka doesn’t know how to hit a tweener

Naomi Osaka learning to hit a tweener

Ravi Shastri on India’s Test victory at Adelaide

When Fernando Alonso missed a chicane

When Curry headed the ball away

Raikkonen wins a race after 112 grands prix. Finnish commentator loses it

When Taj Gibson defended with a shoe in his hand

When seven-foot tall Anthony Davis was still too short

Partizan Belgrade fans pelting linesman with snowballs

When LeBron James snubbed Josh Hart

What’s Maitlan Brown’s hidden talent?

AS Roma’s Twitter handle issues a ‘threat’

When Rod Laver participated in a Mexican Wave

That’s not how you smash a racquet, Andrey

David Beckham advises Zlatan Ibrahimovic to work on moving past his ‘shyness’

Chris Evert bowing to Naomi Osaka

Here’s why Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer would not have made a very successful doubles pair

Thomas Bjorn getting a tattoo on his butt after losing bet with Ryder Cup teammates

Tim Paine does some talking

When Duisburg goalkeeper took to break in the middle of a game, the predictable happened

Iran’s Milad Mohammadi made everyone laugh with a spectacularly botched attempt at a throw-in against Spain at the FIFA World Cup

Senegal making waves with their wacky training regimen

Senegal coach Aliou Cisse also made an impression during the FIFA World Cup

He wasn’t the only one to make an impression at the FIFA World Cup

Of course, we all know that Maradona had a cold during the World Cup

Maradona would neither confirm nor deny anything

Shaktar Donestsk coach Paulo Fonseca coming to a post-match press conference donning a Zorro costume

At Russia, Neymar also grabbed headlines with his performances. Not with the ball at his feet.

Mo Salah’s statue, which looks nothing like Mo Salah

Well left by Nick Kyrgios

Shaun Pollock’s wardrobe malfunction

Brazil celebrated all their goals at the FIFA World Cup with a lot of vigour. Too much vigour probably