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	The Lakers aren't exactly One Big Happy Family these days, and won't be until Kobe irons out his legal troubles and finds a way to kiss and make up with Shaq. But Page 2's Bill Simmons says even the game of Twister they've been playing out in L.A. won't keep this group of superstars from its appointment in the Finals. SIMMONS: NBA PREVIEW, PART II

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	Alan Grant says Warren Sapp's suggestion that NFL players are "slaves" and the league's commissioner and owners are "slave masters" are outrageous only if taken literally. In truth, Sapp's points are valid, and he should be applauded for not just shutting up.

Miracle Man		Tailgate Tour: Notre Dame

	Now that we can all officially be touched by the magic that is LeBron's NBA career, all things are possible. Page 2's Graham Hays watched the coronation on Wednesday and is still living the dream.		When it comes to Notre Dame football, you're either a believer or you aren't. But as Page 2's Kieran Darcy finds out, it's very difficult to come away unaffected by the game-day experience in South Bend.

THE DAILY QUICKIE

Now that Manny Ramirez is on waivers, the Daily Quickie has a dream scene for Yankee-haters: Manny and Grady in pinstripes. Plus, LeBron-a-Rama begins with a bang, and Dan Reeves looks like a bad guy.

The expectations are there. Now all LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Darko Milicic have to do is live up to them. Shouldn't be tough, right? But even at their very best, will they measure up to the young stars on our list of the best NBA rookies ever??
10]	Shaquille O'Neal, Orlando Magic, 1992-93 At 20 years old, Shaq became the first rookie to be named Player of the Week in his first week in the NBA, and he was the first rookie to start the All-Star Game since Micheal Jordan in 1985.

9]	David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs, 1989-90 The Admiral came into the NBA after two years in the Navy. The layoff didn't hurt. He finished in the league's top 10 in scoring (24.3 points per game), rebounds (12) and blocked shots (3.89).

8]	Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers, 1979-80 Any other rookie point guards you can think of who could take over for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at center in the Finals and score 42 points and grab 15 rebounds? Didn't think so.
	• 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.

	LOST IN L.A. What's happened to Kobe? Jason Whitlock says Kobe is another L.A. child star gone wild.
	WHITTICISMS Page 2's Whitney Casey faces her fears above the Big Apple as she suits up for Trapeze School New York.
	THERAPY SESSION Page 2 has learned Kobe and Shaq are in couples counseling. Here's the inside scoop on how it's going.
	SMART MOVES Does Jack McKeon make the list of greatest coaching or managing in one game, series or tournament?
	KNUCKLES VS. KISSES Forget those fall cleanup projects. Page 2's Eric Neel has 20 reasons he'll be tuning in to the NBA.
	THE LIST Kobe, lecturing people on handling situations gracefully? "The List" finds that hard to fathom.


	If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.

It's Detroit Lions QB Joey Harrington and the new-look Brawny Paper Towel guy. Page 2 has received 12 requests for this match, none from Chuck Long. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.

NCF: Cincinnati at South Florida
7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Watch while you hand out candy.

NBA: Minnesota at New Jersey
8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Kevin Garnett and Jason Kidd battle.

NBA: Philadelphia at Sacramento
10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
76ers and Kings go bump in the night.

• Complete TV Listings

If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Wed., Oct. 29: FANNN-tastic Forecasts
• Tue., Oct. 28: Rack 'em Up!
• Mon., Oct. 27: Hot in Herre
• Fri.., Oct. 24: Apocalypse Now

Other featured content:
• What the Heck Were They Thinking?
• All-Time World Series Rankings
• 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

Thursday, Oct. 30, 2003