espn.com Ali Contest
Sure, LeBron and the Lakers will dominate the buzz. But that ain't all that's happenin' in the NBA this season. Carmelo will be making sweet music in Denver, and Kenyon will be sizing up his next contract for Jersey. Page 2's Dan Shanoff let's it all hang out with what's Hot 'n Not this year. Like Nelly says, "You're with a winner."
SHANOFF: HOOPS ON FIRE




ESPN TOOLS
 
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So the Cubs' 95-year wait for a World Series title will continue. So the Red Sox will enter Year No. 86 without a championship next spring. Page 2's Jim Caple says at least they'll have the sympathy of Jeff Loria and those long-suffering Marlins' fans, who finally found a way to reverse their seemingly-endless six-year curse.

Daily Quickie Sportoon
The sniping between Kobe and Shaq is already in midseason form, so the Daily Quickie picks a winner between these two whiners. Plus, dumping Joe, and this week's 'Settle-It Saturday.'
 As the BCS ratings enter their second week, Page 2's Kurt Snibbe wonders how teams know if they qualify for a major bowl game. Sportoon has a few suggestions, just in case the system isn't clear enough.

FIVE EASY BASEBALL PIECES
Page 2's Brian Murphy says the switch away from Daylight Savings Time combined with the end of baseball season can put a kid in a serious funk. But, hey, at least we learned a few things this year.


The Marlins' Jack McKeon just won a nearly-inconceivable World Series with some daring juggling in his rotation and a deft touch in the clubhouse. But does McKeon's work measure up to the greatest coaching of all time in a game or series??
10]  Jesse Harper "Invents" the Forward Pass
Harper, Notre Dame's coach, used it extensively for the first time against mighty Army in 1913. Behind QB Gus Dorais and end Knute Rockne, the Irish romped 31-13.
9]  Coach K Befuddles the Runnin' Rebs
In the 1991 NCAA semifinals, Duke's Mike Krzyzewski attacked UNLV inside with Christian Laettner and double-teamed Larry Johnson on defense to upset the 34-0 Rebs.
8]  Mayo Smith Moves Stanley to Short
As he prepared to play the Cardinals in the 1968 World Series, the Tigers' Smith had four outfielders and a weak-hitting shortstop at his disposal. He gambled that centerfielder Mickey Stanley could play short, and won.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NFL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Sunday Giants 2 Jets 47½
Sunday Bucs 8 Saints 39
Sunday Cowboys 3½ Redskins 37½
Monday Broncos 2 Patriots 36
NCAA FOOTBALL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Saturday Michigan 4 Michigan St. NL
Saturday USC 11 Wash. State NL
Saturday Ohio State 7½ Penn State NL
Saturday Oklahoma 16 Oklahoma St. NL
Saturday Miami 7½ Virginia Tech NL
Saturday Texas 6½ Nebraska NL


 
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.



ANOTHER WORLD
In Page 2's alternate universe, Jim Caple recaps the bitter end of the Red Sox-Cubs World Series.

THE SPORTS GUY
After a summer of NBA TV and ESPN Classic, Bill Simmons wonders where is the NBA of old?

MOVIE REVIEW
Ralph Wiley wanted to like "Radio," wanted to feel good about the flick. But the story just didn't work.

KNUCKLES VS. KISSES
The Yanks bump fists. The Marlins kiss. Page 2's Eric Neel wonders which ritual the baseball gods will favor?

'ROID RAGED
ESPN Radio's Mike Greenberg says let the athletes do drugs if they want. But steroids is a different story.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria, left, and actor Wayne Knight. This match was requested by Todd Slavinsky in Plano, Texas, and Dan Moir in Winnipeg. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


Rome is Burning
7 p.m., ESPN
Love him, hate him, watch him.
 
NHL: Mighty Ducks at Rangers
7:30 p.m., ESPN2
NY looks for third straight.
 
ESPN Entertainment: Playmakers
9 p.m. ET, ESPN
Gay player tested by teammates.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Fri.., Oct. 24: Apocalypse Now
• Thur., Oct. 23: Office Space 2
• Wed., Oct. 22: What the Heck . . . ?
• Tue., Oct. 21: Uniform-gate

Other featured content:
• What the Heck Were They Thinking?
• All-Time World Series Rankings
• Baseball's Most Painful Losses
• 100 Greatest Home Runs of All Time
• Ballpark Tour: Final rankings
• Ultimate Scorecard: 101 best uniform numbers
• The most underrated athletes of all time
• The most overrated athletes of all time
Monday, Oct. 27, 2003
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