espn.com Ali Contest
You can say he's frustrated by a rash of injuries. You can bet he's a bit rankled by his contract. You know he's peeved about Seattle's success since he left town. But are those the real reasons that Ken Griffey Jr. is complaining again? Page 2 unveils the top 10 reasons why Junior is seeing red.
TOP 10 REASONS FOR GRIFFEY'S TIRADE




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When watching the NBA playoffs, some people see overpaid and overhyped athletes taking bad shots, missing free throws and committing silly fouls. Others see hyperthyroid cases mauling each other, endlessly, in the paint. Not Page 2's Ralph Wiley. What he sees are the finest ballers on the planet, improvising like jazz geniuses ... and he's happy to explain where the music and magic meet.

Mystery Photo The Sports Guy's Diary
What were Martina Hingis, Cindy Crawford and Anna Kournikova doing together? We didn't know, either. So we asked for your help, and some of you came up with witty responses for this week's Mystery Photo. (Of course, some of you came up with ... well, all we can say is, "Shame, shame!")
Phew! What's that smell? Why it's the Devil Rays, of course. You know, that dreadful baseball team in Tampa that seems to play in a vacuum. Page 2's Bill Simmons actually watched a few Devils Rays games this week (OK, they were playing the Red Sox), and he kept a diary about the worst show in sports.

THE POWER POLL
It was a big week for powerful performances. War Emblem wired a huge Kentucky Derby field at 20-1, the Red Sox opened a five-game lead on the stumbling Yanks, the Lakers continued their stroll through the NBA playoffs and Mike Cameron hit four homers in one game. So who's No. l in this week's Page 2 Power Poll? Click here to find out.


Page 2 presents our list of the 10 dirtiest professional team players of all-time. Take a look at our list, then send us your choice for the dirtiest player in sports history. Later this week we'll run the readers' list along with a poll to crown the dirtiest player ever.

10]  Jack Tatum (defensive back -- Oakland Raiders, Houston Oilers, 1971-80)
The limits of aggressiveness were questioned on his hit during a 1978 exhibition game that paralyzed New England wide receiver Daryl Stingley.
9]  Jim Loscutoff (power forward -- Boston Celtics, 1955-64)
Red Auerbach drafted "Jungle Jim" to be an enforcer, and Loscutoff turned out to be a "thug extraordinaire," wrote Sam McManis in the Los Angeles Times.
8]  Johnny Sample (defensive back -- Baltimore Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins, New York Jets, 1958-68)
His 1970 autobiography was titled "Confessions of a Dirty Ballplayer," and few of his contemporaries argued.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NBA futures: Odds to win championship (4/29)
Lakers 6-5 Hornets 15-1
Kings 4-1 Nets 15-1
Spurs 7-1 Pistons 15-1
Mavericks 9-2 Celtics 12-1
NHL futures: Odds to win Stanley Cup (4/29)
Red Wings 8-5 Sharks 6-1
Avalanche 9-2 Canadiens 18-1
Maple Leafs 10-1 Blues 6-1
Senators 6-1 Hurricanes 12-1
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. Plus, if you'd like to send an e-mail to The Sports Guy, here's your direct link to Bill Simmons.


THE WATER COOLER
After watching Mike Tyson's latest rants and raves, Page 2's Brian Murphy isn't sleeping too well.

JOLLY GIANTS
How does Yao Ming stack up against Manute Bol, Shawn Bradley, Gheorghe Muresan and other giants? Page 2's Dan Shanoff compares.

MING & A PRAYER
Page 2's Jim Caple takes up Yao Ming on his offer to dine with an American sportswriter -- and learns a lot about the 7-foot-5 mystery man.

THE SPORTS GUY
Page 2's Bill Simmons serves up a six pack of analysis on the first round of the NBA playoffs.

WEB GEMS
"Spider-Man" conquered all comers at the box office, but Dan Shanoff ponders how Spidey would do against a certain Lakers' super fan.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's Mike Ricci, whose Sharks are letting their hair down after taking a 2-1 lead over the Avs, and Geddy Lee of the band Rush. Page 2 has received 24 requests for this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo for Page 2.

Hurricanes at Canadiens
7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Even series shifts to Montreal for Game 3.
 
Red Wings at Blues
8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Essentially a must-win for St. Louis, down 2-0 in series.
 
Spurs at Lakers
10:30 p.m. ET, TBS
San Antonio needs to put hurt on L.A.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Mon., May 6: Iron Head
• Fri., May 3: Yao-Za!
• Thurs., May 2: Anna Revealed
• Wed., May 1: Mr. Lucky

Other featured content:
• Being Anna Kournikova
• 10 Burning Questions with Walt Frazier
• The Luckiest Man Alive
• Makin' It Better: Kobe's hair
• What the heck are they thinking?
• Anna Kournikova vs. Marilyn Monroe
Tuesday, May 7, 2002
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