espn.com Ali Contest
Memorial Day Weekend is one of the coolest parts of the sports calendar, so Page 2's Brian Murphy decided to commemorate the occasion by handing out the Water Cooler's first annual Coolest Awards. See who wins the trophies for coolest uniforms, coolest stadium and coolest gig in all of the sports universe.
MURPHY: SOME LIKE IT COOL




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What do you call it when mean-spirited, overzealous adults conspire to terrorize wide-eyed, unassuming children? Why, it's the world of organized youth sports, of course. Page 2's Bob Halloran reluctantly sent his son off to the land of youth baseball recently -- but not before giving the kid a list of do's and don't's for surviving this terrifying place.

The Sports Guy Get Ready to Bumble!
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. Simmons details the resurrection of a proud franchise.
 "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.

KIDD'S ALL RIGHT
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.


With the NBA Finals on the horizon, Page 2 started thinking about the best individual performances in Finals history. Check out our top 10, and then click here to offer your choice. Later this week, we'll run our readers' list, along with a poll to crown the best all-time effort in the Finals.
10]  Joe Fulks (Philadelphia Warriors, 1947)
The 6-foot-5 forward averaged 26.2 during the Finals, including 37 points in Game 1 and 34 points in the fifth and final game of the series.
9]  Walt Frazier (New York Knicks, 1970)
Yeah, we know -­ Willis Reed, yada yada yada. Frazier dished 73 assists in the seven-game set against the Lakers, and was simply awesome in Game 7, scoring 36 points and dropping 19 dimes.
8]  George Mikan (Minneapolis Lakers, 1950)
The NBA's first superstar scored 37 of the Lakers 68 points in Game 1 (Lakers won 68-66), and took over in the sixth and final game, scoring 40 points as the Lakers won 110-95.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NBA FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Monday Celtics 4½ Nets 187
NHL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Monday Red Wings PK Avalanche 5
Tuesday Maple Leafs PK Hurricanes 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.


WEEK IN REVIEW
Page 2's Jim Caple gets you caught up on anything you might have missed in sports news this past week.

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


It's Carolina Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice, whose team is on the verge of its first trip to the Stanley Cup finals in franchise history, and actor David Hyde Pierce of "Frazier." Page 2 has received three requests for this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo for Page 2.


Nets at Celtics
5:30 p.m., NBC
What can Boston possibly do for an encore?
 
Avalanche at Red Wings
7 p.m. ET, ESPN
Pivotal Game 5 in West finals.
 
Cubs at Pirates
7 p.m., WGN
Rookie phenom Mark Prior makes second start for Cubbies.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Fri., May 24: 5½ Feet Under
• Thurs., May 23: Ready to Bumble
• Wed., May 22: Whoa, Nellie!
• Tues., May 21: Riddle Me This

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
Monday, May 27, 2002
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