espn.com Ali Contest
He's got two rings and Shaq at his side to help deliver more. He's got looks, a beautiful wife, endorsements, a huge contract and unlimited potential. So, Kobe Bryant has had life ridiculously easy at age 23, right? Yeah, but Ralph Wiley says Bryant will encounter some serious bumps as he travels the road of all-time greats.
LUCKY SEVEN FOR NO. 8

POLL RESULTS



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Nothing like the NBA playoffs, at least not for Page 2's Bill Simmons. In Part 1 of his latest Six-Pack, he analyzes the demise of the Mavs, bemoans the passing of the fast break, selects his All-Time All-Ugly teams and gets a measure of personal revenge on the hated Bill Laimbeer, enemy of all things good, especially the sainted Larry Legend.

Mystery Photo The Hot List
Were there more reasons behind Jimmy Carter's trip to Cuba besides diplomacy, trade and politics? Take a look at our Page 2 Mystery Photo of the former president and Cuban leader Fidel Castro, and fill us in on what's going on or being said. We'll run the best captions next week.
Remember way back when people raved about Patrick Lalime's goaltending? That is sooooo last week. If you want the only accurate temperature check on the sports world, then Page 2's Dan Shanoff can tell you whether Curtis Joseph, "Attack of the Clones" and Jason Kidd are hot or not.

MARSHMALLOW MEN
There's no greater insult to an athlete than being labled "soft." Under pressure, reputations are formed and athletes are defined as either tough or softer than an ice-cream cone served by Mark Cuban. Page 2 is here to make the tough call of deciding who's soft and who's not.


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
Saturday Kings 2 Lakers 194
Sunday Nets 3½ Celtics 184½
NHL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Saturday Red Wings ½ Avalanche 5
Sunday Hurricanes ½ Maple Leafs 5
Bold indicates home team
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.


CRITICAL MASS
When faced with hardship in our lives, we often use sports to help us find normalcy again. Page 2's Eric Neel remembers one such time.

THE SPORTS GUY
In Part 2 of his visit to TNT's "Inside the NBA," Bill Simmons goes into the screening room with Charles Barkley.

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.

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.


It's New Jersey Nets tough guy Kenyon Martin, left, and rapper Method Man. Page 2 has received 64 requests for this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


PGA Tour: The Colonial
4 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Network
Second-round action from Fort Worth, Texas.
 
Tennis: WTA Italian Open
8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (same-day tape)
Quarterfinals action from Rome in French Open tune-up.
 
Braves at Rockies
9 p.m. ET, TBS
Atlanta takes on those un-juiced baseballs at Coors Field.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Wed., May 15: The "Soft" List
• Tues., May 14: The Bald Piper
• Mon., May 13: Pure Dynamite
• Fri., May 10: Must-See TV

Other featured content:
• "Star Wars" sports Casting Call
• 10 Burning Questions for Ludacris
• The Power Poll
• Bizarre & Bogus
• Anna or Not Anna? The Penthouse Quiz
• Top 10 Ken Griffey Jr. complaints
Thursday, May 16, 2002
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