espn.com Ali Contest
In his first life, Road Dog was a Brooklyn kid named Mars Blackman. He grew up believing Michael Jordan was "Money," and no one would ever rival His Airness (or his shoes). Now that MJ is an aging Wizard, Road Dog refuses to believe that No. 23 is out of magic. Page 2's Ralph Wiley tries to set Dog straight about MJ's last stand.
WILEY: VANISHING INTO THIN AIR




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Why is it that people in desperate need always have trouble asking for the one thing they want? Take Team USA, which can use a go-to scorer, brilliant shot-maker and excellent passer who has international appeal. Larry Platt says the Olympic hoop team could get all that in one package: Allen Iverson. Trouble is, the guys in charge don't like the package.

The Daily Quickie All-Ineligible Team
Geez, what's in the Gatorarde bucket this week? Mike Piazza's eyes are bugging out of his head, the outrage continues in Athens, Ga., and Ron Artest continues to provide nightly explanations of the NBA's flagrant foul system. The Daily Quickie tries to administer a little anger management to a mad, mad sports world.
They'd be our pick to take down Arizona or Kentucky ... trouble is, they won't even make the NCAA Tournament. Call 'em Team No. 66 -- the all-ineligible roster composed of Wolverines, Bonnies, Wildcats and two types of Bulldogs. Page 2 has built a full squad of these NCAA castoffs, and they wouldn't need to cheat to win.

MAN BITES DOG!
For the past 19 years, he has delighted children, charmed women and warmed the hearts of thousands of hockey fans. So why would a sick individual senselessly attack Harvey the Hound, the original NHL mascot? After weeks of investigation, Page 2 reveals all the ugly details of this crime against ... uh, hound-manity.


The hot rumor right now is that one of the conditions for Pete Rose's reinstatement into baseball is for Charlie Hustle to admit that he lied when he said he never bet on the National Pastime. Page 2 loves this stuff -- in fact, we're using the opportunity to reflect on the top 10 lies ever told in sports history. Check out our list and then vote for your favorite fib.
10]  Peter Ueberroth on collusion: "You can't get 26 owners to agree on anything"
Some charged baseball's owners with colluding to hold down salaries -- a clear violation of the collective bargaining agreement -- as early as 1985. Ueberroth denied anything of the sort, but the owners were eventually found guilty to the tune of $280 million.
9]  David Wells: I was "half-drunk" when I pitched my perfect game
Unless you've been out of the country for the last two weeks, you know this story very well by now. The hefty lefty now claims that he was misquoted in his autobiography.
8]  Tim Johnson: "I saw combat in 'Nam"
Johnson, in his first year as a big-league skipper in 1998, motivated his Blue Jays by telling them stories about his days of combat as a marine in Vietnam. Trouble is, it was all a lie ... and it eventually cost Johnson his job.
  • 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.


BASKETBALL DIARY
Is there any team that won't be intimidated by the Lakers in the playoffs? Page 2's Charley Rosen examines the mental toughness of the West contenders.

PICKED ROSE
Pete Rose is a bad guy who should just go away. So, Page 2's Jim Caple says put the jerk in the Hall of Fame ... and be done with him.

HEY, RUBE
The brackets aren't even out yet, but The Good Doctor is ready to make his pick for the NCAA tourney. And, no, he didn't learn his lesson last year.

BASEBALL DIARY
Eric Neel loves spring training, but he's tired of odes to hope. Bring on the season, where the unknown exists to surprise us.

SLICK SLOGANS
We decided the marketing geniuses at MLB needed help with team slogans, so Eric Immerman wrote one for all 30 big-league clubs.

NAKED TRUTH
Why would anyone voluntarily disrobe in front of millions? Wayne Drehs gets the lowdown on the world's top sports streaker.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's Maryland point guard Steve Blake, left, and actor Lucas Black of "Sling Blade" and "All the Pretty Horses." Page 2 has received eight requests for this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


Men's hoop: ACC tourney
7 p.m. ET, ESPN
Clemson and FSU vie for another night's stay in Greensboro.
 
Men's hoop: Big East tourney
9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
UConn vs. Seton Hall in the Garden.
 
Men's hoop: PAC-10 tourney
Midnight ET, ESPN
UNLV and San Diego State kick it off.
 
• Complete TV listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Tues., March 11: Scarred for Life
• Mon., March 10: Bringin' the Heat
• Fri., March 7: Pill-Poppers
• Thurs., March 6: Naked Truth
• Wed., March 5: Perfect Storm

Other featured content:
• Page 2's Ultimate Scorecard
• 10 Burning Questions with Jennie Finch
• Diary of Anna Kournikova's marriage
• The top 10 divorces in sports history
• The Clippers win it all in 2004
• Vote for the best throwback jerseys
Thursday, March 13, 2003
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