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The Weeks Ahead
THURSDAY 6/28
NBA Draft
There isn't a mock draft on the planet that doesn't predict Ohio State's Greg Oden and Texas's Kevin Durant (right) going one-two this year. After that the uncertainty begins, but we should at least be able to count on a march of the Gators: Corey Brewer, Al Horford and Joakim Noah from two-time defending champion Florida are all expected to be taken early in the first round.
ESPN 8 p.m.
U.S. Women's Open
If it seems as if the field in women's golf keeps getting younger, that's because it is. This year's baby face is Alexis Thompson (below), who at 12 years, 4 months and 1 day is the youngest golfer to qualify for the Women's Open—seven months younger than Morgan Pressel was when she qualified in 2001.
Thursday and Friday, ESPN 2 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, NBC 3 p.m.
Tour de France: Stage 1
With no past winners in the field—due to retirement or, need it be said, doping allegations—it's more of a mystery this year who will wear the yellow jersey. But Levi Leipheimer, an American on Team Discovery Channel, is an early favorite to stand high on the podium in Paris.
Versus 8:30 a.m.
WEDNESDAY 7/4
Nathan's International Hot Dog Eating Contest
Joey Chestnut didn't just beat Takeru Kobayashi's world record in competitive hot-dog eating, he did it with relish. The 22-year-old California native (below), by inhaling 59 1/2 hot dogs and buns on June 2, topped the old record by more than five. Now Chestnut will try to dethrone six-time champion Kobayashi, who, after some doubt because of the recent death of his mother, is expected to defend his title.
ESPN Noon
WEDNESDAY 7/11
Brooklyn Dodgers: The Ghosts of Flatbush
Besides being Jackie Robinson's rookie season, 1947 was also the start of a 10-year stretch in which the Dodgers would appear in six World Series, all against the Yankees. This documentary looks at the franchise during this historic decade and shows how its fight with the city over a new stadium to replace Ebbets Field led to the Dodgers' 1957 move to California.
HBO 8 p.m.
SI PICK OF THE WEEK
TUESDAY 7/10
The All-Star Game
With the latest tally showing Barry Bonds in fourth place among National League outfielders, it looks as if the 13-time All-Star (batting .293 with 15 home runs and 35 RBIs) won't be voted into the starting lineup when the Midsummer Classic visits his home stadium in San Francisco. NL manager Tony La Russa, working with baseball officials and player's ballot results, will choose reserves for the team, which will be announced with the starters on July 1; if Bonds isn't named then, his last chance will be the extra round of fan voting. But given the reception Bonds has received on the road lately, maybe he shouldn't count on that.
Fox 8 p.m.
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JED JACOBSOHN/GETTY IMAGES (BONDS)
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TONY AVELAR/AP (CHESTNUT)
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AJGA COMMUNICATIONS (THOMPSON)
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JOHN BIEVER (DURANT)
