THE MAG.COM PRESENTS:
ALL WORLD POWER RANKINGS

by Ted Bauer

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We knew a bartender named "RJ" once. This guy is cooler.

LUTE'S BEST PRODUCT? WE'LL GO WITH RICHARD JEFFERSON IN A TIGHT ONE

[Ed's note: Not sure what All-World Power Rankings is? Please click here.]

A few years ago, we had some time to kil in Tucson, so we snuck into the McKale Center to check it out. Coolest thing: CBS was doing a game there that weekend and we saw Verne Lundquist milling about. Seriously, though, the place makes you happy if you follow college hoops. In 1983, when Lute Olson took over at 'Zona after a good run at Iowa, it was one of the worst programs in America. Now? This job might land a huge name. Olson is incredible: basically averages 25 wins a year and is a NCAA Tournament automatic—and that 1997 NCAA title game is one of the best we've ever seen. Olson produced a ton of pros, too. None are amazing (OK, maybe Gilbert when healthy) but the remarkable thing is, most of them weren't even that coveted by other big programs. Olson made them into stars. That's coaching right there. Let's rank some of his best dudes.

TOP 5
RANK (YESTERDAY)		WHAT	WHY
	1 (10)	RICHARD JEFFERSON	Because it's "Point Guard U," we probably should have a PG #1 on this list, but Jefferson is legit. We actually think the Bucks could be a sleeper team this season (you seen Joe Alexander's hops?) and if they are, Jefferson will be a key reason.
	2 (35)	MIKE BIBBY	The guy is going to have some awesome numbers this year (cue the peanut gallery: "Contract year!") and was the motor of those fun-to-watch early-2000s Sacramento Kings teams. We love what he's doing with the Hawks and turning Philips Arena into "The Highlight Factory." He also was on the '97 team at UA that won it all.
	3 (62)	STEVE KERR	Seriously, how many times in history do you think someone has mentioned Steve Kerr without mentioning Olson within five minutes on either side? It's very rare. We think Kerr really needs to "pull an Ainge" this season, as an aside. That Shaq deal kinda seems like a flop.
	4 (9)	GILBERT ARENAS	Would be higher, but he is battling injury issues. He is a zany dude, though. It would be interesting to know more about his relationship with Olson. Seems like a good telepilot. Anyone got an agent we can talk to?
	5 (42)	SEAN ELLIOTT	Was a big part of the Spurs' 1999 title run and you could argue he was one of Olson's biggest projects ever: dude, who wasn't tremendously talented, won the Wooden Award. That's impressive.

HONORABLE MENTION
RANK (YESTERDAY)		WHAT	WHY
	82 (139)	ANDRE IGUODALA	We recently made a video with this guy. Sure, he hasn't accomplished anything major in the NBA yet, but wait. We just bought some 76ers tickets for a game in January. (We need an Elton Brand jersey. Anyone got one?) They're playing the Spurs and we expect it to be an important win for a team that'll finish third in the East.
	103 (1,870)	JASON TERRY	This is where it starts to get a little harder. Terry is good, but do you put Damon Stoudamire here? We passed on him because of his penchant for passing…uh…the dutchie on…uh…the left-hand side. Terry punched a dude in the groin once, though, so this was a toss-up.