espn.com Ali Contest
What was Pete Rose thinking when he admitted to betting on baseball? Maybe it was Britney. What was Matt Hasselbeck thinking when he guaranteed a score? Maybe it was Britney. And what was Jason Alexander thinking when he annuled his marriage? Oh my, that one definitely was Britney. Or was it? You tell us.
WHAT THE HECK WERE THEY THINKING?




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Page 2's Jason Whitlock says the love we've been giving Brett Favre for his courageous play over the last few weeks is misdirected. (Wouldn't be the first time the media missed the boat on a story, right?) The real kudos ought to go Favre's teammates, who treat their quarterback like he's just one of the guys.

The Daily Quickie Win-Win Pick 'ems
The Daily Quickie sees Joe Gibbs getting hired and the Knicks getting pounded and sees one easy connection: Isiah should hire his old coach, Chuck Daly. Plus, the Quickie's playoffs picks, and how two home teams will lose.
As far as Eric Neel is concerned, only one person in the whole, wide world knows whether the Rams will give the ball to Marshall Faulk often enough to win this weekend. Here's a clue: It's all in the (Neel) family.

CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT LEBRON
Page 2's Ralph Wiley says it's only a matter of time until LeBron James and the Cavs are dominating the Eastern Conference. And the Sports Guy agrees: It isn't possible to over-hype King James.


The Vikings were 6-0. The Vikings were without weaknesses. The Vikings were on their way. Of course, that was before the Vikings lost four games to teams that finished with 4-12 records. That was before their monumental collapse. But was Minnesota's implosion devastationg enough to make our list of the greatest swoons in sports history?
10]  2000: Portland Trail Blazers
For six-and-a-half minutes in the fourth quarter of the seventh game of the Western Conference finals, Portland's basket simply disappeared. The Blazers missed 13 straight shots, losing a 15-point lead and the game to the Lakers.
9]  1996: Greg Norman at the Masters
The Shark had a six-stroke lead to start the final round. An even-par 72 would win the Green Jacket. But from holes nine through 12, he was five-over par; his 6-over 78 didn't cut it. Nick Faldo won.
8]  1993: Jana Novotna at Wimbledon
From out of nowhere (well, the 8th seed, at least), Novotna rolled into the finals against Steffi Graf. In the third and deciding set, she was up 4-1 and a point away from making it 5-1. Then came a double-fault and . . .
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NFL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Saturday Rams 7½ Panthers 45
Saturday Patriots 6 Titans 37
Sunday Chiefs 3 Colts 50
Sunday Eagles 4½ Packers 42


 
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Love Left For Pete
It's hard to love Pete Rose right now. But Robert Lipsyte says Pete is the dark side, the desires, the sweat, craving and bleeding hormones in all of us. Love Pete Rose? Maybe not. But hold a place in your heart for him? Yes.

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    BOOK REVIEW
    After reading the Pete Rose book, Alysse Minkoff says Charlie Hustle appears defiant and embarrassed at the same time.

    HOLLYWOOD JOCK
    Rob is getting nervous that he hasn't heard back from LeBron's agents. Is it something he said?
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    It's Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Fred Brathwaite, left, and model/singer Tyrese. This match was requested by Marc Olsen in Denver, Colo.Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


    Golf: Mercedes Championship
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