espn.com Ali Contest
As The Cooler settles in at Salt Lake City, Cooler-keeper Brian Murphy considers an enigma that has puzzled scholars since the time of Zeus -- is figure skating good or bad? After serious consideration, the Murph is left with a split decision -- bad, if we're talking about old ladies in fur coats; good, if we are talking about Jamie Salé in a short skirt.WEEKEND WATER COOLER

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As they draft castoffs and salary-cap casualties from the league's other 31 teams Monday, the expansion Houston Texans take their first tentative steps toward a Super Bowl. But what would happen, wonders Page 2's Dan Shanoff, if the expansion draft was applied to other pop cultural worlds -- such as TV? Also, cartoonist Larry Johnson shows how the Texans will choose their picks.

10 Burning Questions Page 2 investigates
When he finally won a gold medal after several heart-breaking falls, Dan Jansen became the living embodiment of the adage: "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." Page 2 caught up with the former U.S. speedskating star, and peppered him with 10 Burning Questions. We are pleased to report that this time Jansen didn't even slip.
 Digging with the implacable intensity you expect, Page 2's investigative reporting team breaks the stories behind the French figure skating judge's identity, the shadowy figure masterminding the success of Swiss ski jumper Simon Ammann, and the real cause of Apolo Anton Ohno's gold-depriving crash 'n' burn.

SPORTOON
Daytona's big day is more than 500 miles of left-hand turns and gas fumes. In case you missed the action, Page 2 cartoonist Kurt Snibbe looks in his rearview mirror to show what really went on at NASCAR's biggest race.


You've already checked out Page 2's list of the 10 most overrated sporting events, so now it's your turn. We've compiled our readers' choices for the most overrated events in sports along with a poll to crown the No. 1 overrated event.
10]  Olympics
"Summer or Winter Olympics. I don't understand, does anyone really care?"
9]  NBA All-Star Game
"Who wants to sit and watch overpaid millionaires miss dunks, hang out on the bench to talk with celebrities and play no defense?"
8]   X Games
"Hardly any of the sports' true stars would be caught dead there."
7]   Super Bowl
"The game never lives up to expectations."
  • GET THE FULL LIST


LAS VEGAS' ODDS TO WIN 2002 NBA TITLE
TEAM ODDS TEAM ODDS
Lakers 5-9 Magic 10-1
Kings 3-1 T-Wolves 12-1
Spurs 6-1 Raptors 15-1
Mavericks 6-1 Blazers 18-1
Bucks 4-1 Wizards 30-1
Sixers 7-1 Nets 30-1
All Times ET -- Bold indicates home team
Complete Line


 
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MAKE A DEAL
Is your NBA team out of it? Don't worry, writes Bill Simmons, who proposes trades that will turn every team into a winner.

HATS OFF
Hard work and determination can earn a medal, but Jim Caple says sometimes it takes more to snag a Roots beret.

BATTERY POWER
Pitchers and catchers reported for spring training last week, so Page 2 takes a Closer Look at these different species.

HEY, RUBE
The Good Doctor is being bombarded with frightening images from the propaganda war -- even during the Super Bowl.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's a gold medalist they call Cat and a tennis diva accused of being catty. Canadian speedskater Catriona LeMay Doan, left, and Swiss miss Martina Hingis. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo for Page 2.

NFL expansion draft
3 p.m. ET, ESPN
Houston Texans pick at scraps.
 
Winter Olympics
6 p.m. ET, CNBC
Czech Republic vs. Canada in rematch of memorable 1998 semifinal.
 
Winter Olympics
8 p.m. ET, NBC
Ice dancing free dance, K120 team ski jumping, women's aerials final and women's 4X7.5km biathlon relay.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Fri., Feb. 15: Deep Thoughts
• Thurs., Feb. 14: Judge Dread
• Wed., Feb. 13: Skating & WWF
• Tues., Feb. 12: Sob Story
• Mon., Feb. 11: Cooler Across America

Other featured content:
• What the heck are they thinking?
• Vote for Bucs' new coach
• Win, Lose or Draw: Olympic judges
• 10 Burning Questions with Bud Greenspan
• Makin' It Better
• Bizarre & Bogus
Monday, Feb. 18, 2002
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