espn.com Ali Contest
First, he was Mr. Clutch. Then, he was the man who "built" the Lakers. Now, he's supposed to be a miracle worker, trying to convert the Grizzlies from losers to playoff contenders. One thing he surely ain't, says Page 2's Eric Neel, is representative of today's high-flying NBA. As a public service to hoop fans everywhere, Neel presents his candidates for the NBA logo of the future.
NEEL: LOOKING FOR NEW LOGO-MAN




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The recent arrest of Trail Blazers Damon Stoudamire and Rasheed Wallace highlighted one of the 21st century's greatest threats to sports as we know them. No, not the heedless smoking of marijuana. That, says Page 2's Jim Caple, is nothing compared with the real horror ... SUVs, especially those in the hands of your average pro athlete.

Weekend Water Cooler The Sports Guy
As the Thanksgiving sports-watching season slowly morphs into the Christmas sports-watching season, Page 2's Brian Murphy happily pays tribute to everybody's favorite Sports TV Uncles -- the Old School Voices of our childhoods. Packer, Raftery and Keith Jackson and relative youngin' Bob Costas.
It started with "Bledsoe or Mirer?" and ended with "Bledsoe or Brady?" And now, The Sports Guy era in Boston is officially over. As our man hit the road for Hollywood, he couldn't help but reflect on the good (Vinatieri, Pedro, the Truth and the Tuck) and the bad (Rocket, Duquette, Glenn and Pitino) from his 10 years in Beantown.

NFL STUDS AND DUDS
With so many Studs and Duds to choose from, Page 2 cartoonist Larry Johnson winged it for Week 13. One is is a superhero who flies like nobody we've seen before, and the other is an entire team that resembled an overstuffed turkey.


We always love to second-guess, so this week's list is the 10 worst coaching decisions of all time. Check out our list, then vote in the poll to crown the top coaching blunder of them all.
10]  Bird-brained
With the Pacers and Lakers tied near the end of regulation in Game 4 of the 2000 NBA Finals, Indiana coach Larry Bird calls on Travis Best over Reggie Miller as the go-to guy.
9]  Dennis Green sits on it
The Vikings and Falcons are tied at 27 in the NFC championship game on Jan. 17, 1999. Vikings ball, 30 seconds on the clock, third-and-three on their own 30-yard line. Minnesota still has two timeouts remaining, but Green decides to run out the clock.
8]  Switzer's decision
On a frigid December Sunday in 1995 at Veterans Stadium, Dallas has the ball on its own 29 with 2 minutes remaining. Fourth and a foot. Head coach Barry Switzer goes for a first down, and Philly's defense stops Emmitt Smith cold.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NFL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Monday Raiders 6½ Jets 48
Sunday Patriots 4½ Bills 44½
Sunday Chiefs 3 Rams 46½
Sunday Buccaneers 3½ Falcons 39
Sunday Titans 2 Colts 43½
COLLEGE FB FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Thursday Fresno State 1½ La. Tech NL
Saturday Navy 3 Army NL
All Times ET | 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.


THAT'S FOOTBALL
In a league where everything changes on a weekly basis, only one thing is constant: The Bucs defense dominates. Jason Whitlock says that's why Warren Sapp deserves the MVP award.

HEAD GAMES
Ralph Wiley goes inside the heads of NFL players and coaches in his Uncensored NFL Thoughts from Week 12.

TUESDAY MORNING QB
TMQ says Detroit and Dallas get unfair yearly gifts at Thanksgiving and the NFL needs to spread the holiday cheer.

GIVING THANKS
In this time of chaos, Page 2's Jim Caple reminds us of a few things we should be thankful for this year.

THE HOT LIST
What do the Trail Blazers and the Hamburglar have in common -- besides their wardrobe? Both are on the wrong side of our Hot List.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


At least 16 readers believe Philadelphia Flyers right winger Justin Williams appears to be N*Sync with J.C. Chasez, right, of the boy band. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo for Page 2.


Men's basketball: Marquette at Notre Dame
7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
No. 13 Golden Eagles are soaring at 4-0.
 
Men's basketball: Iowa at Florida State
9 p.m. ET, ESPN2
ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
 
Jets at Raiders
9 p.m. ET, ABC
Game could be key to AFC wild-card race.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Fri., Nov. 22: Boston in his Rearview Mirror
• Thanksgiving: Get Your Freak On
• Tues., Nov. 26: Loosely Wrapped
• Mon., Nov. 25: Up In Smoke

Other featured content:
• What the heck are they thinking?
• "Rudy" in real life
• Sportoon: Picking out your turkey
• "The Gospel According To ESPN"
• Bizarre & Bogus
• Page 2 Goes to the Movies
Monday, Dec. 2, 2002
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