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Lisa Guerrero:
She's the new MNF sideline reporter. "Everybody comes to play on Monday night" is the new ad campaign. And Britney Spears is the new ad's star.
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The Lead Item
Two Words For You:
FEELIN'. DRAFT.
When did the NBA Draft become a game of
J-I-N-G-O? Another year of critics' xenophobia
about the volume of internationals is just
insecurity over the U.S. pro-development
establishment's failed system.
Get over it: NBA talent globalization is not a
fad, unless "fad" means "Europe is far better equipped
to train NBA players than the farcical pipeline of
American high schools (ineffective), AAU
(self-interested) and colleges (conflicted)."
With just the value of LeBron's shoe deal (or
some Mark Cuban seed money): Privatize pro-hoops
development for all top players 16-19 under a single
corporate entity. The result: Emasculates AAU, cleans
up college and fortifies the NBA -- all at a profit.
Hot 'Zona
The D-Backs won their 8th straight last
night: Continuing to feast on no-slouch Astros.
And to think Arizona has done it without Big Unit and
Schilling.
Bonds Ball
Sold for only $475K: To "McGwire 70"
owner Todd "Flush Money" McFarlane. After all the
drama, that number probably won't even cover the legal
bills of those two nimrods who fought over the ball.
ACC
Va. Tech won't wait for the ACC to ask
twice: But wouldn't it be hilarious if Miami
turned them down? (Letting ACC sweat for a few
days.)
Meanwhile: Remember yesterday's line that ACC
taking two was a Trojan horse? One ACC prez told the
South Fla Sun-Sent. that the ACC's open 12th
spot was for Notre Dame. Keep dreaming ...
Tarpley Returning?
Unlikeliest scenarios for a Roy
Tarpley-sought reinstatement to the NBA: (1) Cavs
bring him in to "mentor LeBron"; (2) Final piece of
Lakers title puzzle; (3)
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"FEW JUICY RUMORS = BIG THINGS BREWING" Edition |
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| THE SET-UP: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY |
1 NBA Draft: 'Bron, Darko, 'Melo ... then what?! ESPN, 7 ET
2 Wimbledon: Agassi, Serena, Jenny Capriati
3 U.S. Senior Open: Player to watch ex-MLB P Rick Rhoden
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| THE SIT-DOWN: RETIRE THESE CONVERSATION TOPICS |
1 NOT "Bank One Bears:" Team ACTUALLY had to clarify that
2 Jeff Fisher's contract extension: Still won't win a SB
3 Juan Gone? Go, don't go; Gonzo lost relevancy years ago
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Seamless integration into
Blazers' "puff-puff-pass-shoot" offense.
Wimbledon
Hantuchova may yet be the next
Kournikova: Daniela took an Anna-like early bounce
from Wimby ... '6-foot-Tennis' sensation Ivo
Karlovic rolls on to Friday's third round. He's a
bandwagon everyone can agree on ...
Klitschko Cleared
Can box in three months: Great timing
to have the best event in decades -- an October card
of Klitschko/Lewis II and Tyson/Jones I, to go along
with Holyfield/Toney.
Neuheisel Watch
My god, man, let it go: Expected to offer formal response to his
termination today. Already called a press conference for
afterward (and there's part of his problem).
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Little League Rules
Call it the "Almonte Rule": Now that
Little League teams have to carry around proof of
players' eligibility in a bag, isn't the NCAA
far more desperate for this idea? "Transcripts-to-Go."
Draft Fashion
What are you wearing? LeBron: cream four-button with the trendy slanted pockets;
LeBron's mom: suit cut from the same material
as son; Carmelo: reportedly will sport a blue
four-button suit. Shirts and ties will be a game-time
decision.
But the tailor for all of them, Cary Mitchell,
told The Quickie that despite one faux pas he
could name (colored shoes), the ultimate secret is
this: Draftees are "like a bride getting
married ... it's their day."
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Greg Rusedski:
Lost his cool on suspect Wimby line call, displaying the works: cursing, smacking things. Lost the match to Quickie fave Andy Roddick.
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| Vote: Who goes after LeBron, Darko and Carmelo? |
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Today on ESPN.com
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| NBA Draft |
| TEN: Wimbledon |
| MLB: Rumor Central |
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| "Draft" Edition |  Green room
| Also color of new cash
|  Handshake
| Give the Commish a fist bump
|  On the clock
| Will a team pull a "Vikings?"
|  Suits
| Who's this year's Jalen?
|  "Fi-re Lay-den!"
| | Knicks fans rule theater |
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European Commission considering ban on sexist images
in broadcasts and ads, H'wood Reporter says ...
Wednesday MLB stars, Name-Game Edition: Nomar (3-run
HR, batting .427 in June); Nomo (helped LA finally
solve Giants in SF) ...
You know things are bad at UNLV when the tennis team
is under internal investigation ...
Saw LeBron in person yesterday for the first time. He
has so much poise, it's scary ...
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