espn.com Ali Contest
Manhattanville hoopster Toni Smith's protest -- she turns her back on the U.S. flag during the playing of the national anthem -- has inspired a frenzy of criticism, counter-demonstrations ... and a lot of support. Page 2's Ralph Wiley, for one, says any parent with a 21-year-old like Toni ought to feel only one thing ... damned proud.
WILEY: BUT AIN'T THAT AMERICA?




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The rumbles started about a month ago and have turned into a full-pitched roar. "The Lakers are coming! The Lakers are coming!" Sure, L.A. is behind schedule, but can anybody in the West mount a serious challenge to a four-peat by Shaq and Kobe? Page 2's Charley Rosen sizes up the rest of the West and also examines all those "also-rans" in the East.

The Daily Quickie Hottest of the Hot
Tell Mel Gibson to put down those binoculars and quit peeping in the windows on Julia Roberts. The Daily Quickie has another "Conspiracy Theory" that really demands his attention. It involves the Spurs, the Kings ... and, of course, the Lakers. We don't want to give away the ending, but we do promise to alert Ralph Nader, too.
 The prelims are over. It's time for the main event: Jennie Finch vs. Anna Kournikova (yes, she's baaaack!) for the title of Hottest Female Athlete. As you might remember, we disqualified Anna from our first round, but after a letter from her lawyers (and seeing Finch's domination of our poll), we must give the people this mega-showdown.

PAGE 2'S TOP 10 LIST
At Page 2, we have no trouble recognizing when someone is doing great work while "under the influence." So it doesn't surprise us at all to hear David Wells claim he was "half-drunk" during his perfect game. To help those at home, we offer our Top 10 ways to tell your pitcher might have just downed a pitcher.


As we muse about how tough it is to play for George Steinbrenner or train Mike Tyson, Page 2 figured the time was perfect to list the 10 most thankless jobs in the sports world. Check out our list and then vote in the poll to pick the one job you'd never want to have.
10]  Head of security for the Masters
He's on the lookout for terrorists and other major threats. And he commands a corps of guards that won't even let badge-holders (read: CEOs, billionaires, mega-celebs) take mental snapshots of what they see. Now factor in that he's probably looking at a major protest this April.
9]  Head of payroll, Ottawa Senators and Buffalo Sabres
See those guys collecting cans on the side of the highway? Yep, that's them.
8]  Joe Torre, Brian Cashman and the Yankees coaching gang
Torre and Cashman have had great fortune, and the bad fortune to inherit the flip side of The Yankee Way -- you're expected to win it all each year. If you do the expected, well -- who couldn't win with those players and that payroll? If you fall short, which is inevitable at least once in a while, watch out.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


VEGAS' ODDS TO WIN 2003 NBA Finals
Kings 9-5   Nets 11-2
Mavericks 3-1   Trail Blazers 15-1
Lakers 3-1   Pistons 33-1
Pacers 9-2   Celtics 40-1
Spurs 5-1   Sixers 45-1
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.


BIG DANCE PARTY
What will happen if the NCAA Tournament ends up on MTV? Page 2's Eric Immerman gets in groove with the Big Dance.

LEAVE JACKO ALONE
Jacko haters back off, says Page 2's Jason Whitlock. The Gloved One is a picture of normalacy.

THE SPORTS GUY
Sure, today's NBA is entertaining, but Page 2's Bill Simmons says these kids can't hold a candle to Bird, Magic and the glory days of the 1980s.

MAN IN THE MIRROR
Are you like Mike Tyson? Believe it or not, Page 2's Ralph Wiley says there's a little bit of Iron Mike in all of us. Seriously.

NEAR NAKED
Sports Illustrated's famous cheesecake issue is out, and Gregg Easterbrook says the cheese is tasty and the cake revealing.

THE SPORTS GUY
Page 2's Bill Simmons gives the play-by-play on the Grammy awards, including when the big winner broke his heart.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's the guy with the No. 1 album in America, rapper Fifty Cent, and Celtics forward Eric Williams. Page 2 has received 66 requests for this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


PGA: Accenture Match Play
2-6 p.m. ET, ESPN
It's win or sit and watch.
 
America's Cup
7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
New Zealand could be sunk.
 
Magic at Knicks
8 p.m. ET, ESPN
T-Mac's turn to beat up on Knicks.
 
• Complete TV listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Thurs., Feb. 27: MTV meets NCAAs
• Wed., Feb. 26: Hoop Heaven
• Tues., Feb. 25: Hot In Herre
• Mon., Feb. 24: Norah, Norah, Norah

Other featured content:
• World according to Steinbrenner
• Vote on Mike Tyson's face tattoo
• Biggest Nut Job: Tyson vs. Jacko
• Vote for the best throwback jerseys
• What the Heck Are They Thinking?
Weekend Edition, Feb. 28-March 2, 2003
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