While Laureus is open to similar left-field suggestions of a regional nature, you would be a hard-pressed and brave to look past their provided list of immortals on the field of competition. As far as patriotism goes, yes, be assured the Black Flag is flying. The legendary Richie McCaw, retiring with William Webb Ellis back home in Wellington, stands among 27 other noted stars who have often transcended their code to be considered for sportsman of the year. I've got to look at McCaw, a man I have met and greatly admire, when placed against the indomitable Usain Bolt - arguably sport's most recognisable face and still the monopoly holder of the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m world titles.
It was Bolt's fifth "triple" success among his 17 world and Olympic golds.
Then you've got Novak Djokovic - Australian, Wimbledon and US Open grand slam winner who also reached the French Open final in another No1 ranked year.
Throw in being the first guy to win six Masters 1000 events in one year and here is another untouchable at the top of his game.
Lewis Hamilton won his third F1 world championship, Floyd Mayweather buried the doubts by beating Manny Pacquiao and later retired at a perfect 49-0, France's Teddy Riner became the first judoka to claim eight world titles.
Spread your eyes to Asia and gymnast Kohei Uchimura taking out six all-round world titles, and China's Sun Yang grabbing golds at his world champs in the pool at Kazan. Into the women's division, and our golfing dynamo Lydia Ko has her work cut out despite being the youngest LPGA Player of the Year at 18.
How can you go past the 2015 that Serena Williams had on the tennis court, winning the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon as part of being No1 for 200 straight weeks - that's nearly four years.
Fellow American Katie Ledecky, like Ko an 18-year-old phenomenon, owned the pool at Kazan with five golds and two world records, although as the cynical sports critic would point out, what is two to three medals in the pool compared to one in the track and field?
If we marvel at winning two straight Rugby World cups, then how about skiier Marit Bjorgen of Norway - claiming her fourth Overall World Cup in cross-country skiing, nearly 1000 points clear of her nearest competitor?
Now to team of the year, and in this non-Olympic Games calender is where the All Blacks may well have the trump card and my bias is justified.
They had perhaps the most diverse competition if you look at every nation who journeyed to England in October-November, compared to the other standouts.
However, that is rugby, and football fans will laud FC Barcelona for their fifth Champions League win, or perhaps the Aussies would cheekily suggest their fifth Cricket World Cup, at our Black Caps expense at the MCG in front of 93,000 spectators is where it's really at.
There are six American squads up for consideration from a range of sports, including those they actually play outside their own borders like women's football and water polo.
For New Zealanders, was there a much bigger topic of conversation a month and a half ago - other than expensive flag referendums - than the status of Dan Carter's knees?
Our mercurial world cup winning No 10 stands in the comeback of the year grade against America's Aries Meritt, who won a 110m hurdles bronze in Beijing with less than 20 per cent kidney function - no, I'm not kidding.
Michael Phelps treated retirement almost as an afterthought when the 22-medal winning Olympian just cruised back into the US Nationals and won three titles, each the fastest times recorded that year.
Twelve months ago, boxer Anthony Crolla had his skull and ankle fractured in a burglary. Last month, he won the WBA lightweight championship of the world.
I remember going into that Wanganui awards judging meeting with the conscious thought of I could not put sentimental favourites too far ahead of genuine achievers.
Even with McCaw, Carter and Ko - Kiwi immortals - that creed is even harder to keep for the Laureus.
