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WHO'S Hot/WHO'S Not
WHO'S Hot
Drew Brees
First the NFL Comeback Player of the Year went to Honolulu and dusted other QBs in passing accuracy at Pro Bowl skills drill. Then Chargers showed their love by dubbing him their franchise player--meaning he'll earn $8 million next season, a 418% raise.
Hope
Yanks coach Mel Stottlemyre says starters were "very impressive" after watching them play catch; Nationals skipper Frank Robinson says players on relocated last-place team have a "different bounce in [their] step"; O's Miguel Tejada says playing with Sammy Sosa is a "dream come true." Yup, spring training's here.
Allan Ray
Villanova sharpshooter (he knocks down more than 43% of three-pointers) sank five threes--and had 21 second-half points in upset of Pittsburgh for 17-6 Wildcats.
Alonzo Adams
Who? The 43-year-old artist of choice among NFL and NBA players paints scenes of African-American life such as Blacktop Gladiators (left) and has sold some 70 works (at up to $30,000 a pop) to guys like Alonzo Mourning, Patrick Ewing and Kenny Anderson.
Iowa State Hoops
Started 0-5 in Big 12 but has won seven straight, including OT upset at No. 2 Kansas. Jayhawks coach Bill Self said of State's star guard Curtis Stinson, "He is great."
WHO'S Not
Alex Rodriguez
Damned Yankee got to camp and was hit by more barbs from Red Sox--seven Sox swiped at him last week--who suggested he lacks class and isn't a true Yank. His teammates didn't defend him; even A-Rod said Sox have a point. And, of course, he's 1 for his last 15.
Titans
After going 5-11, Tennessee found itself way over the salary cap and seemed poised to dismantle its team by jettisoning top receiver Derrick Mason and five others. Team started falling apart even before talk of cuts began: Last week CB Samari Rolle (domestic assault) and SS Tank Williams (DUI) were arrested.
Ray Allen
Sonics sharpshooter came in fourth in NBA All-Star three-point competition (he was among the favorites), and his 43% rate from the field is his lowest percentage in seven years.
Canucks
A rough week for Canadians, especially Vancouverites. Hockey died twice--and Canucks wing Todd Bertuzzi (and the team) was sued by ex--Avalanche center Steve Moore, whom Bertuzzi has pleaded guilty to assaulting in a 2004 game. Moore says coach Marc Crawford, former G.M. Brian Burke and wing Brad May conspired with Bertuzzi to injure him.
Syracuse Hoops
Started 20-1 and was No. 4 before dropping four of six to fall to No. 15. Stars Hakim Warrick and Gerry McNamara are slumping, and as coach Jim Boeheim said, "We go as [those] two guys go."
COLOR PHOTO
DAVID BERGMAN (RODRIGUEZ)
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LUCY NICHOLSON/REUTERS (ALLEN)
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COURTESY OF ALONZO ADAMS (PAINTING)
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JASON COHN/ICON SMI (RAY)
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JED JACOBSOHN/GETTY IMAGES (BREES)
