espn.com Ali Contest
Legendary UCLA coach John Wooden had 10 basic rules about how to correctly play basketball. The Kings, explains Ralph Wiley, followed all 10 rules to a T, gaining not only the respect of the mighty L.A. Lakers, but of a grateful Hoops Nation. (Too bad none of Wooden's rules had anything to do with shooting free throws better.)
WILEY: ALMOST KINGS | SPORTOON

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Football can tug a guy in all kinds of directions. In the latest installments of his World Cup diary, Michael Davies explains how he can at once cheer for Ireland (he's of Gaelic blood), Cameroon (he's got money on them) and England (he's British after all). The Germans and Swedes, however, really know how to put a damper on everything.

Weekend Water Cooler World Cup quiz
Page 2's Brian Murphy just loooooooves the World Cup -- the pomp, the outlandish outfits, the celebrations, even the outrageous mismatches. But then NorCal's representative in the Battle of California -- the Kings -- almost upset the mighty Lakers, and the WC Cooler celebration had to be held for a week.
 With the world's biggest sporting event in full swing, Page 2 thought it was the perfect time to test your knowledge of all things international in our "Guess the Footballer Quiz." It's pretty simple; just see if you can tell apart World Cup personalities from world leaders, fellow sportsmen and international celebrities.

'ROIDS ARE THE RAGE
Page 2's Dan Shanoff has learned that Spider-Man now admits he was "juiced up" on steriods when his blockbuster movie opened earlier this month. And Hollywood's fascination with 'roids doesn't stop there -- Jim Caple says the drugs can also be found in some classic baseball movies.


The Basketball Hall of Fame is preparing to add some new members, so Page 2 has compiled its list of the top 10 former pro basketball players not in the Hall. After taking a look at our list, send us your choice for the best former NBA or ABA player not in the Hall of Fame. Then later this week, we'll run our readers' list along with a poll to crown the No. 1 of them all.
10]  Max Zaslofsky, 1946-55
During his 10-year career, most of it played before the introduction of the 24-second clock, he averaged 14.8 points a game.
9]  Marques Johnson, 1977-90
A five-time All Star, Johnson, a forward, finished his career with 13,892 points, an average of 20.3.
8]  Maurice Stokes, 1955-58
In his second season, he set an NBA record with 1,256 rebounds, and was a triple threat -- he also scored 15.6 ppg and dished 4.6 assists.
7]  Dennis Johnson, 1976-90
During his 14 years in the NBA, Johnson was a five-time All-Star and was named to the all-defensive team nine seasons in a row.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NBA FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Wednesday Lakers 8 Nets 190
NHL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Tuesday Red Wings 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.


THE SPORTS GUY
Bill Simmons watched the National Spelling Bee from its first minute to its exhilirating denouement and kept a running diary.

GIVE ME FOOTBALL
In Michael Davies' first World Cup diary entry, he is mistaken for a hooligan and tries to convince Americans they should care about the beautiful game.

VANISHING ACT
Chris Webber has a superstar's numbers and a superstar's body. But when crunch time arrives, Ralph Wiley says C-Webb turns into the Incredible Shrinking Superstar.

THE HOT LIST
From Anna to Zidane, Dan Shanoff's got the details on all that's scorching and freezing in the world of sports.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


Must be more than the blond ponytail, otherwise how would a soccer player get mixed up with a pro wrestler? Ben Rubin of Swampscott, Mass., and Brian Duggan of Lexington, Ky., noticed a resemblance between French international midfielder Emmanuel Petit and WWE's Chris Jericho, right. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


Soccer: Brazil vs. Turkey
4:55 a.m. ET, ESPN2
World Cup power Brazil has struggled in past year.
 
Soccer: Italy vs. Ecuador
7:25 a.m. ET, ESPN
Italians now a World Cup favorite after French loss.
 
Mets at Braves
7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (regional)
Or Red Sox at Tigers at 7 p.m. ET.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Fri., May 31: 'Roids the Rage
• Thurs., May 30: C-Webb Disappear
• Wed., May 29: Moving Forward
• Tues., May 28: House of Pain

Other featured content:
• Being ... Mike Piazza
• Sportoon: World Cup rules
• Mystery Photo
• Johnson: Major-league issue
• Anna or Not Anna? The Penthouse Quiz
Monday, June 3, 2002
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