espn.com Ali Contest
What's your NBA pet peeve? Special rules interpretations for superstars? Slammin' and jammin' over drivin' and jivin'? Bricks from the charity stripe? Brutality in the paint? You name it, and it's part of the Big Aristotle's repertoire. Page 2's Royce Webb says it's time for Shaq to prove he looooooves this game ... by taking a hike.
GO SLAM SOMEWHERE ELSE

POLL RESULTS



ESPN TOOLS
 
Email story
 
Most sent
 
The USGA is calling this weekend's U.S. Open "The People's Open" because it's taking place at the Bethpage Black Course, a venue open to anybody who has $31 ($39 on weekends) and a set of clubs. Page 2's Jim Caple believes it would be more of a "People's Open" if the pros had to wait overnight, too, to get a tee time ... and tries to imagine what that might be like.

World Cup diary Critical Mass
For Page 2's World Cup diarist Michael Davies, England's 0-0 draw with Nigeria was a classic "good news, bad news" situation. His beloved England moves on to the second round, but this was one of the all-time World Cup stinkers as both teams lollygagged in the 100-degree heat. Davies details all that, plus an awe-inspiring trip on a sleek, new Japanese supertrain.
 In his weekly Critical Mass column, Eric Neel looks at five reasons why watching the World Cup on television in the middle of the night is enough to make any red-blooded U.S. fan of "the other football" feel damn fine about himself. Meanwhile, Page 2 cartoonist Kurt Snibbe's Sportoon chronicles a typical TV viewing day in the life of a U.S. soccer fan.

THE SPORTS GUY
It's time to look back on Mike Tyson's strange career. Where does he rank among the great heavyweights ... and on the Unintentional Comedy Scale? Page 2's Bill Simmons leaves no slimy stone unturned. And check out The Sports Guy's debut in ESPN The Magazine, examining Boston's big sports year.


You've already taken a look at Page 2's list of the most painful single game losses in baseball history. Now we've compiled our readers' top 10 painful losses along with a poll to crown baseball's No. 1 painful loss of all time.
10]  Yankees lose to Mariners, '95 AL playoffs
"The footnote of the game is the most heartbreaking thing about it. Don Mattingly, the most beloved Yankee since Mickey Mantle, would never play another game."
9]  Indians lose to Marlins, '97 World Series
"Why does Cleveland build good teams that fall apart ... one step short?"
8]  Cardinals lose to Royals in '85 World Series
"They got beat by a terrible umpire."
7]  Braves lose to Twins in '91 World Series
"Sure we'd have 10 straight playoff appearances, five pennants and a championship. But that loss still hurts."
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NBA FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Wednesday Lakers 4½ Nets 194½
NHL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Thursday Red Wings 1½ 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.


CUP DIARY
On Day 11 of his football odyssey, Michael Davies lists 11 reasons -- plus a bonus 12th -- why this is the best World Cup ever.

HEARING STARS
What were all the celebrities at Lewis-Tyson thinking about? Why, just what you would expect, says Page 2's Ralph Wiley. Themselves.

THE WATER COOLER
In a weekend of amazing sporting events, Brian Murphy is amazed so many of us paid good money to watch Tyson-Lewis on PPV.

THE ADVOCATE
Jim Caple reveals which sports figures Ralph Nader will be writing to -- and annoying -- in the near future.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's actor Jerry Stiller, George Costanza's dad on "Seinfeld," and Jerry Buss, right, the father and owner of the Lakers. Thirty-nine readers have suggested this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


Diamondbacks at Yankees
1 p.m. ET, ESPN
What, no Schilling on three days' rest?
 
Lakers at Nets
9 p.m. ET, NBC
L.A. tries to sweep to threepeat.
 
Costa Rica vs. Brazil
2:25 a.m. ET, ESPN (Thursday morning)
Our regional neighbor, Costa Rica, is close to second-round berth.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Tues., June 11: Requiem for a Bad Dude
• Mon., June 10: Wonder of Me
• Fri., June 7: Elephant Man
• Thur., June 6: Ask Dr. Sports Guy

Other featured content:
• Power Poll
• Makin' it Better: Bills uniforms
• Win, Lose or Draw
• Mystery Photo
• 10 Burning Questions for Bill Walton
• Guess the Footballer Quiz
• Anna or Not Anna? The Penthouse Quiz
Wednesday, June 12, 2002
.