NBA PREVIEW2007--08
72 ExtremeMakeover
In the span of 33 days this summer G.M. Danny Ainge pulled off a pair ofmegadeals to right the stumbling Celtics
By Ian Thomsen
78 Kobe'sSummer
Kobe Bryant spent his off-season riding a roller coaster, and he and the Lakersare both feeling queasy
81 Stern ActionNeeded
The commissioner must take stronger measures to regain the public's trust afterthe Tim Donaghy debacle
By Jack McCallum
85 All-SizeAll-Stars
Who's the best ever at every height—pro or college, man or woman? Is it Shaq orWilt? Calvin Murphy or Sue Bird?
90 5-MinuteGuide
Who's going to win the hardware, who's going to get traded and what else tokeep an eye on this season
By Ian Thomsen
92 ScoutingReports
A detailed look at each of the 30 teams, with starting lineups, Fast Facts andinsights from an opposing team's scout
FEATURES
WORLD SERIES
48 MissionPossible?
After an epic layoff the Rockies face their toughest opponent yet in the RedSox
By Tom Verducci
COLLEGEFOOTBALL
54 MizzouAccomplished
With coach Gary Pinkel loosening the reins, Missouri has a newfound swagger
By Austin Murphy
HOCKEY
60 When He isBad. . .
. . . Islanders left wing Chris Simon is horrid. So why do so many playersstand by him?
By Michael Farber
PRO FOOTBALL
66 ShadowWarriors
Practice squad players are one play from their NFL dreams—or one fromoblivion
By Lee Jenkins
Departments
8 Leading Off
18 Letters
25 Players
• Can Tom Osborne save Nebraska?
• First Person: Grant Hill
• Farewell to Max McGee
• The Yankees' aimless front office
• Adrian Wilson's jump training
44 Faces in theCrowd
154 Life ofReilly
After transforming a city, the Rockies have turned it upside down by RickReilly
Inside . . .
142 CollegeFootball • The key to Ohio State's future
144 The NFL
• The Giants are 5--2. And worried
148 High SchoolFootball
• The life of a homecoming patsy
152 NASCAR
• Teammates, pals—and archrivals
Cover
PHOTOGRAPH BY WALTER IOOSS JR.
BANNERS BY ADAMHUNGER;
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY AARON GOODMAN
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City ofChampions?
SPORTS IN BOSTON:BETTER THAN EVER
The Red Sox areback in the World Series. The unbeaten Patriots have the NFL's highest-poweredoffense. Boston College is ranked No. 2 in the nation. And the new-look Celticsare the NBA's most-talked-about team. Has any city ever had it better? SI.com'scoverage this week includes. . . .
• Opening essayon today's sports scene in Boston
• Don Banks onthe Patriots and the Red Sox competing for headlines
• Chris Mannix onthe glory days for the Celtics and Boston College
• Kevin Armstrongon BC's ascension as a college football power
• Photo galleriesincluding the teams that fans love to hate
• SI Flashbacksto memorable moments in Boston sports history
SEE ALL THIS ANDMORE AT SI.COM/BOSTONSPORTS.
TRAFFICREPORT
MOST VIEWED
1. Jon Heyman:Joe Torre leaves Yankees
2. Peter King: Anunpredictable week
3. Photos: TheHottest Teams in History
OUR PICKS
1. Peter Kingdefends Reggie Bush
2. Video: collegefootball's best rivalries
3. Gene Menez'sweekly Heisman Watch
NEW WEEKLYVIDEO
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Two guys. Onecar. And funny takes on the world of sports.
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PHOTO
GARY BOGDON
 92SWINGIN' FROM THE HEELS Dirk Nowitzki, the reigning MVP, is geared up to leadthe Mavericks to the NBA title after their first-round whiff against GoldenState last spring.
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TOP: ROBERT BECK
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LOU CAPOZZOLA
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JOHN IACONO
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