espn.com Ali Contest
You've waited all year for this, and you didn't even know it existed -- the first round of the storied Luckiest Man Alive competition! Eight sports icons duke it out for one of Page 2's most coveted titles. Consider the merits of each candidate, then use your vote wisely. And remember to come back next week and vote in the semis and finals.
WHO'S THE LUCKIEST MAN ALIVE?

POLL RESULTS



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What better to brighten a spring day than a helping of Ramblings from The Sports Guy? The pungent observations of Page 2's Bill Simmons include everything from the seediness of the "penalty-box cam" to how he would handicap a Domestic Bad Girl Smackdown between Tawny Kitaen and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes.

Reel Life What were they thinking?
Though the classic weeper "Field of Dreams" is obviously fictional -- after all, dead people don't play baseball (though the Brewers might prove otherwise) -- many of the events and people therein are based in reality. A Closer Look examines how much the real-life "Field of Dreams" resembles the reel-life version.
 Will Vlade Divac be able to play the rest of the series with his foot stuck in his mouth? What sane man would dump Britney Spears? And how did Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart end up becoming a couple? Page 2 tries to solve these perplexing riddles in the latest edition of "What the Heck Are They Thinking?"

SHOOTING BLANKS IN PHILLY
Page 2 cartoonist Larry Johnson has an idea why the Philadelphia Flyers have been shut out in three straight games and have failed to score a goal in regulation time in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series against the Ottawa Senators. The answer might be found in their stick selection.


You've already taken a look at Page 2's top 10 postseason performances in NHL history. Now check out how our readers ranked their choices and vote in the poll to crown the No. 1 Stanley Cup playoff performance of all-time.

10]  Patrick Roy (2001)
"He proved he's the best to ever play in net because he can get it done in the postseason when it matters most."
8]  tie Ron Hextall (1987)
"He took a team, without two of its best players, to the seventh game of the finals against probably one of the best teams in the history of the league."
8]  tie Bobby Orr (1970)
"The guy held down the Bruins defense while leading the team's offense. That's like Pedro hitting .300 with 25 dingers for the Red Sox."
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NBA futures: Odds to win championship (4/19)
Lakers 7-5 76ers 12-1
Kings 7-2 Nets 12-1
Spurs 7-1 Pistons 15-1
Mavericks 7-1 Celtics 15-1
NHL futures: Odds to win Stanley Cup (4/19)
Red Wings 7-2 Sharks 7-1
Avalanche 4-1 Bruins 8-1
Maple Leafs 6-1 Blues 10-1
Flyers 7-1 Blackhawks 10-1
Complete Line


 
Got a comment about something you've seen on Page 2?
Here's your chance to sound off to the editors and columnists.


MUSIC MAN
Ballparks can't play "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in an endless loop, so Jim Caple suggests some more suitable stadium music.

CRITICAL MASS
Eric Neel grooves to Jurassic 5 and the Sacramento Kings and gets inspired by "Eco-Challenge" in his roundup of sports and pop culture.

TMQ
Page 2's Gregg Easterbrook cuts through all the coachspeak to interpret the 2002 NFL draft.

DRAFT DOGMA
On draft day, all the NFL prospects look good. Page 2's Ralph Wiley tells you who won't look good when the games begin.

THE SPORTS GUY
Bill Simmons can't fully celebrate Boston's great sports Sunday without shedding a little tear for the departed Drew Bledsoe.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


Sprinter Marion Jones put her basketball career behind her years ago, but 15 readers believe she resembles Raptors forward Morris Peterson, left. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.

Canucks at Red Wings
7 p.m. ET, ESPN
Detroit tries to halt trend of road team victories.
 
Blackhawks at Blues
7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Chicago fights for survival in Game 5.
 
Kings at Avalanche
9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
L.A. must win to force a Game 6.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Wed., April 24: Head Games
• Tues., April 23: Draft Lies
• Mon., April 22: Grading the Beef
• Fri., April 19: Tribe Has Spoken
• Thurs., April 18: Move Over, Mel

Other featured content:
• Mystery Photo
• The Power Poll
• 10 Burning Questions for Mel Kiper Jr.
• Win, Lose or Draw: NFL draft
• What's Hot/Not for NHL playoffs
• Sportoon: NFL draft review
• Anna Kournikova vs. Marilyn Monroe
Thursday, April 25, 2002
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