espn.com Ali Contest
He's Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. So, why was he coaching minor-league players in the USBL instead of millionaires in the NBA? Page 2 sent Eric Neel to Oklahoma City -- yes, Oklahoma City -- to explain Kareem's exile, and Neel came back with many questions, a few answers and a revealing Q&A with the normally reticent Hall of Famer.
NEEL: WHY IS HE HERE? | Q&A | PHOTOS




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With the NBA and NHL playoffs and the World Cup fading into history, the Sports Guy's mind has naturally turned to ... a rambling mess. In the return of The Ramblings, he muses on Shawn Kemp's Father's Day, how much he'd want to "pull a Palmeiro" and endorse Viagra, and why he considered quitting ESPN over "Rocky V" making it to "Reel Classics" status.

The Power Poll Real All-Stars
Ronaldo is probably the most famous athlete in the world, Venus might be the best woman athlete in existence and Edgar's swing is a thing of beauty. But never mind all that. The question is: Who's No. 1 in this week's Power Poll? Here's a hint: Page 2 has signed up for a year's worth of samba lessons.
It takes real "leaders" to make it to an All-Star Game. At least, that's the message of Kurt Snibbe's latest Sportoon. And what would happen, wonders Page 2's Dan Shanoff, if the "30th Man" voting procedures were applied to "real" life situations, like The Jackson 5, the cast of "Friends," and Women Who Kick Butt.

MYSTERY PHOTO
Mr. Met in a raincoat and umbrella, parading in front of the Atlanta Braves dugout? Sounds like the plot of a late-night Cinemax flick, but it was actually just this week's Mystery Photo. And, thankfully, Page 2's readers came up with a lot funnier responses for what was going on than we did.


This week, Page 2 takes a look at the 10 most overpaid players in baseball. Of course, we want your opinion, so send us your choice for the most overpaid baseball player. Later this week, we'll run our readers' top 10 along with a poll to crown the No. 1 overpaid ballplayer of them all.

10]  Carl Everett, Texas Rangers
He's only played 38 games this season, and has just five homers and 18 RBI.
9]  Darren Oliver, Boston Red Sox
This year, about the best that can be said is that he's kept his ERA under 5.
8]  Wilson Alvarez, Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Over the past five seasons (including this one), Alvarez has won just 17 games.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


UPDATED ODDS TO WIN 2002 WORLD SERIES
Yankees 2-1   Braves 10-1
Red Sox 5-1   Giants 12-1
Mariners 6-1   Angels 13-1
Diamondbacks 6-1   Mets 13-1
Cardinals 8-1   Athletics 15-1
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.


CUP DIARY
As his month-long run in Japan comes to an end, Page 2's Michael Davies reflects on the '02 World Cup and looks ahead to Germany in '06.

THE WATER COOLER
After rising at 4 a.m. to watch the World Cup final, Page 2's Brian Murphy explains why no true sports fan would use TiVo.

MR. KNOW-IT-ALL
Bob Halloran could've pawned off this task to his manservant, Maurice, but instead our Page 2 columnist answers mail himself.

THE SPORTS GUY
As he chronicles every moment of the 2002 NBA draft, Page 2's Bill Simmons keeps asking one simple question: Who are these guys?
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


The World Cup is over, but we've still got some look-alikes left from soccer's big show. It's German star Michael Ballack, left, and actor Matt Damon. Page 2 has received 43 requests for this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


Tennis: Wimbledon Championships
8 a.m., 1 p.m. ET, TNT
Women's quarterfinals and end of Capriati-Daniilidou match.
 
Expos at Braves
7:30 p.m. ET, TBS
Bartolo Colon makes his Expos debut.
 
Dodgers at Diamondbacks
10 p.m. ET, MLB Extra Innings
NL West shodown continues.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Mon., July 1: Flying Home
• Fri., June 28: Juiced Up
• Thurs., June 27: Draft Diary
• Wed., June 26: Idiot's Guide

Other featured content:
• All-Hair Team for '02 World Cup
• 10 reasons Anna blew her top
• Bizarre & Bogus
• 10 Burning Questions with Jay Williams
• What the Heck Are They Thinking?
• Britney and sports movies
• Anna or Not Anna? The Penthouse Quiz
Tuesday, July 2, 2002
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