WNBA: Washington at New York, 6:30 p.m., ESPN
A chance to see if Chamique Holdsclaw can be as dominant for the Washington Mystics as she was in college with Tennessee. ESPN is scheduled to show 10 regular-season WNBA games as exposure for the sport widens. So the Lakers are hot after Zen master Phil Jackson, who coached the Bulls to a 545-193 record. Well, here’s another way to look at Jackson’s so-called coaching genius. Jackson’s winning percentage as coach of the Bulls is .738–terrific, no doubt about that. But the Bulls’ winning percentage with Steve Kerr on the roster was even better, at .744. And Jud Buechler apparently meant even more to the franchise since the team’s winning percentage was .762 with him on board.
Did any of this had anything to do with that fellow named Jordan?
HISTORY REPEATS?
When the great Boston Celtics dynasty of the 1960s ended, which team was first to assume the championship mantle?
The New York Knicks.
And with the Bulls’ dynasty of the 1990s over, guess which team is four wins away from again ordering championship rings?
Yes, the Knicks. But the San Antonio Spurs have a chance to make their own history, beginning Wednesday.
RICH VS. POOR
Dallas, which leads Buffalo 2-1 in the Stanley Cup finals, was second only to Detroit in NHL payroll this year. The Sabres, a small-market team that is trying to pull off an upset for all the little guys everywhere, was 20th in payroll this season.
“Well, I think you can have a good team without spending $50 million,” Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier said. “I will say it is becoming increasingly more difficult.” It helps to have the world’s greatest goalie, Dominik Hasek. But after winning Game 1, the Sabres have dropped two in a row. It looks like the rich guys have made their move.
BROWSING
Women’s World Cup fans can check out various Web sites to read diaries written by U.S. players throughout the tournament. Mia Hamm has signed on with Athlete Direct (www.athletedirect.com) to write a diary and answer fans’ questions. Goalkeeper Briana Scurry and midfielder Michelle Akers will write for espn.go.com/soccer/wworldcup99, while Kristine Lilly will pen her thoughts for cnnsi.com’s Women’s World Cup site. Akers also has her own site at www.michelleakers.com.
