December 13, 2004 Table Of Contents
SCORECARD
Unfazed by the celebrity that came with his two Olympic medals, Apolo Ohno is having his best season yet
Teams have player issues to deal with--besides steroids--as they head into this weekend's winter meetings
By Albert Chen
Bears safety Mike Green was once best known as the last player drafted in 2000, but he's become a defensive star
By Marty Burns
Some say 14-year-old high schooler Alix Klineman could turn out to be the best U.S. volleyball player ever
By Bill Syken
Freddy Adu proved worthy of the hype in his first pro season--and he promises even better things next year
By Grant Wahl
The author reveals how he and his teammates were formed in the crucible of Pop Warner play in the '50s
By David Sabino
Sports Illustrated Bonus Section: Golf Plus
Whatever Happened to David Gossett?
Battling his swing and beset by family issues, the kid who couldn't miss finds himself at a crossroads at age 25
Happy memories of one of the game's most popular players and sad news of another tragic plane crash made for a bittersweet Father-Son Challenge
Teen star Paula Creamer throws down the gauntlet with a jump to the LPGA
By Jim Gorant
Big Play With Mitchell Spearman
By Jim Gorant
Voting hours at si.com: 7 p.m. EST Sunday to 3 p.m. EST Monday
By Sal Johnson
By Jim Gorant
OUR TOUGH-AS-NAILS 2004 Q SCHOOL QUIZ
By Jim Gorant
CATCHING UP WITH
FEBRUARY 3, 1975
Pro Basketball
Not By a Long Shot
Since its NBA advent 25 years ago, the three-pointer has won games and thrilled fans. But can it maintain its appeal amid rampant gunning by poor marksmen?
By David Sabino
AIR AND SPACE
By Steve Rushin
TENNIS
Philadelphia millionaire Tom Stafford wants his two children to be the best tennis players in the world, and he's sparing no expense in building their support system
By TOURE
SI Players: Life On and Off the Field
Giants Running Back
By Josh Elliott
SI Players
[Based on a survey of 354 players]
The Questions with Michael Haynes
Bears Defensive End
Don't hate the wrong guy for dating a Destiny's Child. Check out this guide
Houston, you have a problem: Peyton Manning and his 44 TDs
By Adam Duerson
Steroid Scandal
Leaked grand jury testimony that Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi used steroids and damning allegations by the infamous drug lab's founder raised new questions about baseball's ability to clean up its mess
THE BLIND PURSUIT OF PERFECTION
Here's the real scandal: America has lost sight of deeper values in its obsession with self-improvement
Victor Conte's allegation that Marion Jones was a drug cheat could bring her down -- but she's ready to fight back
By Don Yaeger
College Football
On a weekend that left some top teams bemoaning their BCS fate, unbeaten USC got past UCLA and earned a trip to the Orange Bowl for a showdown against Oklahoma
An unheralded wideout corps led by record-setting senior Mark Clayton might be the Sooners' secret weapon
By Mark Beech
Auburn's SEC title sends the Tigers to New Orleans--and leaves them to ponder why perfection wasn't good enough
Originally snubbed by the ACC, newcomer Virginia Tech overcame a host of setbacks to claim the conference title
By Kelley King
After a season rife with breakout performances, we cast our ballots for year-end awards--and offer some kudos of our own
By Kelley King
PRO BASKETBALL
Though saddened by their breakup, the former Mavs running mates are, surprisingly, playing even better apart
By Ian Thomsen
Pro Football
Shedding their losers' image, the Chargers closed in on their first playoff appearance since 1995 with the defense saving a win over the Broncos
King's Corner: Playoff Homestretch Edition
By Peter King
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Slam-dunking over the skeptics, Washington's 5'9" Nate Robinson has hoisted the Huskies with his irrepressible energy and mind-boggling play
Skiing
With four wins in the season's first seven races, newly equipped Bode Miller is taking the World Cup by storm
By Tim Layden
SPORTS BUSINESS
Can a pro franchise thrive in the gambling capital of the U.S.? You bet. And major league baseball or the NBA may soon put one there
By Ian Thomsen
Inside
The Week in Sports
Inside The NFL
Just like Nick Goings, the Panthers started the season in a hole; now the back and the team are up and running
Palmer Playing To Expectations
CINCY'S COMEBACK KID
UNMOTIVATED BROWNS
Inside The NBA
Portland couldn't swing a deal for the Raptors' underachieving Vince Carter, but some other team most likely will
By Ian Thomsen
Inside College Basketball
Newly licensed minister Roger Powell and fellow senior Luther Head are big reasons Illinois has ascended to No. 1
Inside Tennis
In the Davis Cup final on the slow clay of Seville, the U.S. bowed to Rafael Nadal and his fellow españoles
LIFE OF REILLY
By Rick Reilly
Departments
By firing coach Ty Willingham last week, then failing to hire the man they wanted as his successor, Notre Dame demonstrated that the school of legend is no more
By Phil Taylor
The NASCAR Nextel Cup champ spent last week in New York, where he received his trophy--and his $5.3 million check
By Kurt Busch
The author of a new book on the Browns says the team was set up for failure
By Terry Pluto
A TV movie explores the relationship that fueled a NASCAR legend's desire
By Nancy Ramsey
With its coach afraid to watch, Notre Dame won its second soccer title
By Bill Scheft
What to watch and watch for
By Julia Morrill