espn.com Ali Contest
You argue that "Cheers" is the best sitcom ever. You consider Michael Jackson a great musician, not a freak. You believe "greed is good." And you vow that the NBA of Magic, Bird and Isiah was much better than today's league. Page 2's Eric Neel says you need to get out of the 1980s and realize basketball has changed ... for the better.
NEEL: IT'S MUCH BETTER NOW




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Gregg Easterbrook is Page 2's NFL guru, but he's here today to perform an important public service. Our man would like to issue the following warning: Stay clear of LeBron James. When people come within 10 feet of the prep phenom -- whether they be referees, shop owners or car salesmen -- bad things tend to happen. No one -- not even the president -- is safe.

Rock & the NFL What Are They Thinking?
If Kordell Stewart is feeling down, he might want to talk to David Lee Roth. After all, if anybody can understand "getting cut" when you can still play, it's rock stars. From Deion and Elvis (Grbac, not Presley) to Vince Neil and Sammy Hagar, Page 2 studies the NFL and rock connection.
 Why does her fiancée (you know, that Ben guy) say J-Lo is a prude? Why is Angelina Jolie considering a role that's anything but prudish? And what's the latest stupid thing uttered by Shaquille O'Neal? Page 2 answers these questions and more in "What the Heck Are They Thinking?"

THE DAILY QUICKIE
Just when you thought reality TV couldn't stoop any lower, along comes ABC's "Are You Hot?" As we await tonight's parade of "America's sexiest people," The Daily Quickie extends the gimmick to the sports world -- without the swimsuit competition, of course.


It has infected Pat Riley, Mike Vanderjagt and umpire Bruce Froemming over the last couples weeks. It's called "foot-in-mouth disease," and it causes otherwise rational people to say very stupid things. Page 2 looks at the top 10 all-time cases of "foot-in-mouth" and asks you to vote for the No. 1.
10]  Derrick Coleman, 1994
Shortly after Kenny Anderson, the Nets All-Star guard, went AWOL for a day in Dec. 1994 and missed a Nets practice, teammate Derrick Coleman responded to reporters' questions about the incident by simply saying: "Whoop-de-damn-do. I didn't feel he owed anybody an apology."
9]  Charlie Ward, 2001
The Knicks guard touched off a firestorm in the Big Apple when his comments from a Bible study group where published in the New York Times Magazine. Among them: "Jews are stubborn;" "There are Christians getting persecuted by Jews every day;" and "They had blood on their hands."
8]  Charlie Dressen, 1951
In August 1951, with the Giants way out of the running, Brooklyn manager Charlie Dressen said, "The Giants is dead." Unfortunately for Dressen, they came back to life, erasing a 13½ game deficit to tie the Dodgers and force a playoff for the NL pennant. Nobody heard what Dressen had to say after Bobby Thomson's shot buried the Dodgers.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


VEGAS' ODDS TO WIN 2004 SUPER BOWL
Eagles 5-1   Raiders 10-1
Rams 6-1   Dolphins 10-1
Buccaneers 7-1   Packers 15-1
Steelers 7-1   49ers 15-1
Patriots 10-1   Giants 15-1
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.


OSCAR BUZZ
While the entertainment world goes crazy with Oscar buzz, Page 2's Jim Caple hands out his Sports Academy Award nominations.

THE WRONG DENNIS
Hiring Dennis Erickson over Ted Cottrell is one thing. But Dennis Green continues to get a raw deal, writes Page 2's Jason Whitlock.

THE SPORTS GUY
It's been awhile, but The Sports Guy is back in the NBA saddle, and he's handing out scratch tickets to the lottery bound.

THE WATER COOLER
Not even the vociferous PA guys can get people excited for the NBA All-Star Game, writes Page 2's Brian Murphy. If you throw Mariah Carey in the mix -- that's a different story.

THE SPORTS GUY
You didn't think our man would skip the NBA All-Star Game, did you? His running diary covers everything from Mariah to MJ.

LEBRON BALLOONS
Prep phenom LeBron James is weighing on the minds of several All-Stars, according to Ralph Wiley's Uncensored NBA Thoughts.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's Bucks forward Toni Kukoc, left, and actor Hugh Jackman. Page 2 has received 88 requests for this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


Men's Hoops: Duke at Wake Forest
7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Deacs can really distance themselves from Blue Devils.
 
Flyers at Blues
8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Can cleaning house yield wins in Philly?
 
Celtics at Trail Blazers
10 p.m. ET, TNT
Portland blazes into season's second round.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Wed., Feb. 12: Being Furry
• Tues., Feb. 11: Oscar Time
• Mon., Feb. 10: Sports Guy's Diary
• Fri., Feb. 7: Jenny From the Book

Other featured content:
• Hruby: The toughest job in sports
• Vote for best throwback jerseys
• Sex and the Super Bowl
• MJ vs. MJ commerical
• The Bad Sports Hair Hall of Shame
Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003
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