espn.com Ali Contest
They joke, they rib, they shout, they talk serious smack. In other words, they have more fun than just about anybody else on TV. Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith have turned TNT's "Inside the NBA" into a studio show that's often better than the games. But is it really as much fun as it looks? The Sports Guy went to Atlanta to find out. SIMMONS: IT'S DA BOMB




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Shigeki Maruyama held off Tiger. Ichiro and Kaz continued doing their thing for the Mariners. And Shinjo made a highlight play for the Giants. Page 2's Brian Murphy says it was quite a weekend for athletes from the Land of the Rising Sun. So, how does Kobe Bryant -- the unsdisputed star of the weekend -- fit into this theme? Well, the dude is named after a Japanese steak.

10 Burning Questions Mystery Photo
Even if you don't recognize the name Terry Cashman, you've probably heard the song "Talkin' Baseball (Willie, Mickey and 'The Duke')." Page 2 recently caught up with the man known as the "Balladeer of Baseball" to ask him about the 70 songs he has written about the game, including a new tune about a dramatic Mike Piazza homer.
The Hornets won't be in Charlotte much longer. And they might not be in the NBA playoffs too much longer, either. Still, Page 2 couldn't help but laugh when it saw this photo of Hugo trying to fire up the few remaining fans in "The Hive." We figured you might have a good joke, too, so send us your thoughts on our Mystery Photo.

BIZARRE & BOGUS
Did a soccer mascot in a monkey suit really get elected mayor of an English town? Is Sheryl Crow really hoping to perform in Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s basement? And is Washington State University really trying to get out the Wazzu? Find out which stories are fact and which are fiction in Page 2's Bizarre & Bogus.


This week, Page 2 has compiled a list of the 10 biggest cheaters in baseball history. Check out our list, then send in your choice for the biggest cheater. Later this week, we'll run our readers' list, along with a poll to crown baseball's all-time biggest cheater.
10]  Amos Otis, 1967-84
Otis admitted that he used a funky bat much of his career. "I had enough cork and superballs in there to blow away anything," he said.
9]  Graig Nettles, 1967-1988
In his next at-bat after Nettles hit a home run against Detroit, he hit a broken-bat single. Tigers catcher Bill Freehan scrambled for the six superballs that came bouncing out. "I didn't know there was anything wrong with the bat," Nettles said.
8]  Norm Cash, 1958-74
By his own account, he used a corked bat during the 1961 season, a breakout year he never came close to duplicating.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NBA futures: Odds to win championship (5/08)
Lakers 1-2 Hornets 35-1
Kings 6-1 Nets 10-1
Spurs 12-1 Pistons 15-1
Mavericks 6-1 Celtics 22-1
NHL futures: Odds to win Stanley Cup (5/08)
Red Wings Even Sharks 6-1
Avalanche 4-1 Canadiens 10-1
Maple Leafs 18-1 Blues 20-1
Senators 5-1 Hurricanes 20-1
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.


MUST-SEE TV
Page 2's Jim Caple has a sneak preview of some riveting sports TV shows planned for May sweeps.

REEL LIFE
How does "A League of Their Own" compare to the real All-American Girls Professional Baseball League? Page 2's Jeff Merron explores.

FE-MAIL INTUITION
Chris McKendry's column on Billie Jean King sparked a round of e-mail debate on Title IX and the Fed Cup controversy.

THE SPORTS GUY
Bill Simmons answers his e-mail and simultaneously checks the pulse of the common folk, the strange and twisted thoughts of you, his readers.

THE HARD WAY
They gripe, they bicker, they snipe. They also both prefer things to be hard. And Allen Iverson and Larry Brown couldn't stand to be apart.

ODE TO A.I.
No matter what you think about Allen Iverson, Page 2's Eric Neel says you can't dispute that the guy is always interesting.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's psychic, healer and all-around weird dude Gary Spivey, left, and former big-league pitcher and current Braves broadcaster Don Sutton. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo for Page 2.

Hurricanes at Canadiens
7 p.m. ET, ESPN
Carolina tries to finish off Montreal.
 
Mavericks at Kings
9 p.m. ET, TNT
Dallas fights to stay alive in Game 5.
 
Avalanche at Sharks
10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Defending champ Colorado on the ropes in Game 6.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Fri., May 10: Must-See TV
• Thurs., May 9: Iverson vs. Brown
• Wed., May 8: Anna Quiz
• Tues., May 7: Red Whine
• Mon., May 6: Iron Head

Other featured content:
• Anna or Not Anna? The Penthouse Quiz
• Top 10 Ken Griffey Jr. complaints
• New School vs. Old School
• Win, Lose or Draw: The Answer
• Being Anna Kournikova
• The Luckiest Man Alive
• Makin' It Better: Kobe's hair
Monday, May 13, 2002
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