espn.com Ali Contest
Bud Selig didn't ask, but we still have suggestions. Chances are, they'll work better than that door-to-door scheme the Brewers are using to bump up the crowd at Miller Park. Our Eric Neel says George Karl might provide a sure-fire sales pitch, while Kurt Snibbe's Sportoon recommends a Jennie Finch Growth Chart giveaway.
NEEL: SELL IT | SPORTOON: GIVE IT




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Vijay Singh can back-peddle all he wants, but Page 2's Jason Whitlock says it's too late. Jason gets angry when he hears that Singh and Charles Barkley, who should know better, oppose Annika Sorenstam's participation in the Colonial. Plus, take a trip with us deep into Vijay's brain with 'Being Vijay Singh.'

At the movies NBA knows drama
Page 2's Eric Immerman says summer's here and the time is right for ALF's star turn as the hostage in "Phone Booth." Wishful thinking? Not in our version. We preview that flick, along with the rest of the Summer Blockbusters.
 Can't get a ticket to Game 6? Page 2's Eric Neel offers up a guide to appreciating the NBA playoffs on television, Robert Horry's last-second miss and all. Plus, Sportoon takes you behind the scenes of Phil's angioplasty.

THE DAILY QUICKIE
The Daily Quickie wants to know why Bud Selig isn't smiling, why the Jeet-Moose combo didn't work and why Chris Webber would've made a difference. Oh well, there's always Trisha's upcoming nuptials.


With the sixth-seeded Minnesota Wild battling the seventh-seeded Anaheim Mighty Ducks for the right to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals, we can't help but remember the champs who had no chance -- the underdogs for which, somehow, the word "upset" doesn't do justice to their ultimate victories. The greatest underdog champs of all time:
10]  Houston Rockets (1995)
The Rockets went only 47-35 during the regular season and were the sixth seed in the Western Conference. But they beat Utah (60-22), Phoenix (59-23) and San Antonio (62-20) in successive series to make it to the finals against Orlando.
9]  Charismatic (1999 Kentucky Derby)
Charismatic, who three months earlier could have been bought at a claiming race for $62,500, won in 2:03 1/5, easily beating the favorites, Excellent Meeting and General Challenge. If you had put down $2 on the horse, you would have gone home with $64.60, the third-largest payout in Derby history.
8]  New Jersey Devils (1995)
The talented Red Wings had the best regular-season record in the strike-shortened 1994-95 season -- 33-11-4. They eased through the first three rounds of the playoffs with a 12-2 mark. On the other hand, the Devils were only 22-18-8 in the regular season.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NBA FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Wednesday Pistons 1½ Sixers 182½
Thursday Lakers 5½ Spurs 192½
Thursday Kings 5½ Mavericks 217½
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.


THE SPORTS GUY
When you're on the air, the Sports Guy knows first hand how your mouth can get ahead of your brain.

BEND THERE
Despite being preoccupied by the fate of his beloved Chelsea, Page 2's Michael Davies found some time to break down the film "Bend It Like Beckham."

THE WATER COOLER
After watching Rafael Palmeiro join the 500 Club, Page 2's Brian Murphy wonders why the achievement seems so uninspiring.

QUEST FOR ANNA
Page 2's Jeff Merron finally completes his mission of finding Anna Kournikova, and he learns she's more than a pretty face.

NICE SWING
Legendary sportswriter Sam Lacy played the game like Raffy Palmeiro: beautifully and consistently, writes Ralph Wiley.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's Cardinals star Scott Rolen, left, and actress Julia Stiles. This match comes to us from Kyle R. Meredith of Louisville, KY. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo for Page 2.


NHL Playoffs: Senators at Devils
7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Knotted at one, game 3 is key.
 
NBA Playoffs: Spurs at Lakers
8 p.m. ET, ABC
Home sweet Staples, L.A. needs a W.
 
NBA Playoffs: Mavericks at Kings
10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Back to Sac, Kings now or never.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Tues., May 13: Getting dumberer
• Mon., May 12: Tomb Raiders
• Fri., May 9: Finding Anna
• Thurs., May 8: Junction Girls

Other featured content:
• Illegal Motion: Page 2's Scandal Detector
• Being ... Mr. Met
• What the Heck Are They Thinking?
• Page 2's 2003 Wacky Bracket
Wednesday, May 14, 2003
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