espn.com Ali Contest
Uh-oh, it's the dreaded "S" word. There's no greater insult to an athlete than to be labeled "soft." Under pressure, reputations are formed and athletes are defined as either tough (see Kidd, Jason) or softer than an ice-cream cone served by Mark Cuban (see Carter, Vince). Page 2 is here to make the tough call of deciding who's soft and who's not. THE "SOFT" LIST




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Sometimes a great sports moment can help heal the pain of a deep personal loss. In his weekly Critical Mass column, Page 2's Eric Neel recalls an idyllic day in San Francisco, hooping with his best friends, followed by a frightening phone call ... and how Magic Johnson and his "baby hook" brought a much needed dose of sunshine back into his life.

10 Burning Questions Casting Call
His name and best-selling album ("Word of Mouf") might be Ludacris' claims to fame. But what got the rapper onto Page 2 were some of his answers to our 10 Burning Questions ... particularly the perils of his brief career as a 90-pound wrestler and what his good pal Shaq is like behind closed doors.
"Star Wars: Episode II" attacks theaters at midnight Thursday, but Page 2 is concerned with a different group of "clones." We're out to re-cast the major roles in the fifth installment of the sci-fi saga -- and we're only using folks from the sports world. So, send us your nominees.

THE SPORTS GUY
It's the dream of every hoops junkie -- spending a night watching NBA playoff games with Charles Barkley as the TNT analyst guzzles Coronas and offers his uncensored views on the basketball world. Page 2's Bill Simmons got to live that dream, and you can live vicariously through him in Part 1 and Part 2 of his visit to the set of "Inside the NBA."


You've already taken a look at Page 2's list of the 10 biggest cheaters in baseball history. Now check out our readers' choices for the biggest cheater, and vote in the poll to crown baseball's all-time biggest cheater.
10]  Ty Cobb
"How many extra stolen bases did he get because fielders were afraid of the sharpened spikes?"
9]  Joe Niekro
"Really ... who has ever been seen filing his nails during a game?"
8]  John McGraw
" He hid balls in the outfield, spiked opposing players, watered down the base paths, grew the infield grass to deaden bunts."
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NBA FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Wednesday Nets 4 Hornets 182½
Saturday Kings 2 Lakers 193½
NHL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Wednesday Avalanche ½ Sharks 5
Thursday Hurricanes ½ Leafs 5
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.


FREAK SHOW
Step right up, folks, as Ralph Wiley guides us through the carnival of freaks and geeks found in sports.

THE WATER COOLER
Brian Murphy loves Japanese athletes making it big in the States, but he has a beef with one Japanese-inspired NBA superstar.

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.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


As Page 2 conducts its Casting Call for "Episode II: Attack of the Clones," we're reminded of this match featuring the sage Yoda and cyclist Marco Pantani. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


Soccer: Bayer Leverkusen vs. Real Madrid
2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Champions League final at Glasgow, Scotland.
 
Hornets at Nets
8 p.m. ET, TNT
Come on, Charlotte, bring it home for at least one more game.
 
Sharks at Avalanche
9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Now it's a best-of-one.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Tues., May 14: The Bald Piper
• Mon., May 13: Pure Dynamite
• Fri., May 10: Must-See TV
• Thurs., May 9: Iverson vs. Brown

Other featured content:
• The Power Poll
• Mystery Photo responses
• Bizarre & Bogus
• Anna or Not Anna? The Penthouse Quiz
• Top 10 Ken Griffey Jr. complaints
• Being Anna Kournikova
• The Luckiest Man Alive
• Makin' It Better: Kobe's hair
Wednesday, May 15, 2002
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