espn.com Ali Contest
A mere 16 months ago, things were so bad for the Celtics that Bill Simmons and his father were considering the unthinkable -- giving up the season tickets they'd owned for nearly 30 years. Today, the Celts stand on the brink of the NBA Finals and the chant of "Beat L.A." is building in the distance. Simmons details the resurrection of the C's. SPORTS GUY: BACK FROM DEAD

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If you thought Curt Schilling was going too far when he asked the D'backs to close the roof at the BOB, you ain't seen nothing yet. Page 2's Jim Caple says changes are planned at such venerable arenas as Yankee Stadium and Lambeau Field to further aid the home squad. You'll also want to check out Caple's wrap-up of the strangest sports stories of the week.

Get Ready to Bumble! Kidd's All Right
"Celebrity Boxing" is a joke, so Page 2 figured we'd let our readers deliver some punchlines in this week's Mystery Photo. The Sports Guy also got his share of laughs from watching the farce on Fox, but as he kept a running diary of the evening, he couldn't help but feel sorry for the participants.
 Nobody in the hoop world is sleeping on Jason Kidd any longer -- but some folks knew how special J-Kidd was long before his near-MVP season in Jersey. Page 2's Eric Neel is definitely one of them. Neel started watching Kidd at Cal, and he says nobody is better at dishing the rock.

WHAT THE HECK ARE THEY THINKING?
Why was Jeff Nelson peddling body parts on eBay? What do the Seahawks see in Ryan Leaf? And is David Blaine just nuts? Page 2 tries to answer these questions and more in the latest edition of "What the Heck Are They Thinking?"


You've already taken a look at Page 2's list of the 10 biggest chokes in Stanley Cup playoff history. Now we've compiled our readers' choices for the biggest NHL postseason choke job along with a poll to crown the No. 1 all-time Stanley Cup playoff choke.
10] tie  2002 Montreal Canadiens
"Up three goals against Carolina in the third period, about to go up 3-1, and not even close in any game after that."
10] tie  2001 Red Wings
"A rare case of a Scotty Bowman-coached team overlooking their opponent. "
9]  1942 Red Wings
"Detroit losing the Cup after going up 3-0 isn't just the biggest choke in Stanley Cup history, it's the biggest choke in playoff history of any of the four major sports."
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NBA FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Friday Lakers 6½ Kings 193½
Saturday Celtics 4½ Nets 186
NHL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Saturday Avalanche PK Red Wings 5
Saturday Hurricanes PK Maple Leafs 4½
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.


THE HOT LIST
Load up on all the essential 411 as Dan Shanoff presents his weekly list of what's in and what's out in the constantly changing sports world.

RUN FOR IT
Page 2's Ralph Wiley checks out the NBA horror show that came from out of the East.

CRITICAL MASS
Page 2's Eric Neel tries to make sense of IBM's bizarre new commercial featuring a handful of former NBA stars.

KNOW-IT-SOME
If Bob Halloran knows one thing, it's that he won't be mistaken for master of all things trivial Cliff Clavin of "Cheers."
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's ESPN basketball analyst Tim Legler, left, and the Dell computer kid. Page 2 has received 11 requests for this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo for Page 2.


Red Wings at Avalanche
3 p.m., ABC
A virtual must-win for the defending champs.
 
Liberty at Sparks
3 p.m., NBC
WNBA's sixth season tips off.
 
Nets at Celtics
5:30 p.m., NBC
New Jersey looks to avoid first two-game skid of the playoffs.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Thurs., May 23: Ready to Bumble
• Wed., May 22: Whoa, Nellie!
• Tues., May 21: Riddle Me This
• Mon., May 20: Paranoia Diaries

Other featured content:
• Win, Lose or Draw: Mike Pizza
• Bizarre & Bogus
• Sportoon: Who poisoned Kobe?
• Who should record NBA theme?
• Casting Call: "Attack of the Clones"
• Who's Soft & Who's Not
• Anna or Not Anna? The Penthouse Quiz
Weekend Edition, May 24-26, 2002
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