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Page 2's Bill Simmons is a bit misty-eyed today. It's not just that his 2002 NBA draft diary figures to be his last, it's that one of his favorite nights on the sports calendar simply ain't what it used to be. It's nothing against the foreign invasion or all the high school kids, but it'd be nice if he'd actually seen some of these guys play.
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In some ways, that walk across the stage to shake hands with the commish might as well be a fashion runway for the newly minted NBA draftees, a chance to show off their clothes, their accessories, their personal style. So who looked good ... and who looked like Joan Rivers emerging from an industrial dryer? Page 2 sent its own Mr. Blackwell -- Dan Shanoff -- to make the tough (but fair) calls.

Jim Caple The Hot List
We know Jeff Kent is no Evel Knievel. We know Barry Bonds has no tolerance for inside fastballs. We know Kent and Bonds dislike each other. But we don't know why Kent and Bonds wanted to kill each other on the bench. Page 2's Jim Caple explains the "Slugout in the Dugout."
Will "Mr. Deeds" be hot at the box office? What caused Anna to get hot under the collar? And what the heck is happening with Ronaldo's hair? Page 2's Dan Shanoff is here to make the call on these trends and others with his weekly list of What's Hot and What's Not.

WORLD CUP DIARY
We hope you've been paying close attention to Page 2's Michael Davies World Cup diaries because today he presents a pop quiz. We would have gotten it to you sooner, but that's a story involving lawyers, mingers and Bruno Metsu that's too long to detail here; so just check out the quiz.


You've already taken a look at Page 2's list of the 10 greatest moments in U.S. women's sports history. So now we've compiled our readers' choices along with a poll to crown the greatest women's sports moment in U.S. history.

10]  Wilma Rudolph wins three gold medals, 1960
"Against all that she faced, she proved we can overcome things that seem far bigger than ourselves if we have the courage and determination."
9]  U.S. hockey team wins gold, 1998
"Finally, the Americans broke through on the game's most important stage."
8]  U.S. softball team takes gold, 1996
" It's fast, it's athletic, but it's not as physical as soccer or basketball."
  • GET THE FULL LIST


UPDATED ODDS TO WIN 2002 WORLD SERIES
Yankees 2-1   Diamondbacks 9-1
Red Sox 5-1   Braves 11-1
Mariners 6-1   Giants 12-1
Cardinals 8-1   Athletics 15-1
Mets 8-1   Angels 20-1
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
Page 2's Bill Simmons explains the science of the NBA draft so that anyone -- even a GM -- can understand.

YOU'RE IT
First, they banned dodgeball. Now, they're coming after tag. Before they target hopscotch, Jim Caple explains why the politically correct are ruining all the good kids' games.

CRITICAL MASS
Eric Neel turns a few pages, organizes a Chuck D-inspired protest and remembers two fallen Cardinals.

THE SPORTS GUY
Page 2's Bill Simmons fondly reminisces about his top 50 favorite NBA draft moments from the past six years.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


Nikoloz Tskitishvili, left, is much taller than the typical Hobbit, but the Nuggets' top pick does bear a resemblance to "Lord of the Rings" star Elijah Wood. Page 2 has received four requests for this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo for Page 2.


Tennis: Wimbledon Championships
7 a.m. ET, TNT
Second-round action.
 
Golf: U.S. Senior Open Championship
Noon and 4 p.m.
ET, ESPN
Extra day's a major challenge for oldsters.  
Braves at Mets
7 p.m. ET, TBS
New York tries to earn a split.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Wed., June 26: Idiot's Guide
• Tues., June 25: 50 Draft Moments
• Mon., June 24: Clothes Call
• Fri., June 21: Bloody Hell!

Other featured content:
• Bizarre & Bogus
• Sportoon: Yao's "top-secret" workout
• Page 2's World Cup Quiz
• 10 Burning Questions with Jay Williams
• What the Heck Are They Thinking?
• Britney and sports movies
• Anna or Not Anna? The Penthouse Quiz
Thursday, June 27, 2002
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