WHO'S Hot WHO'S Not
WHO'S Hot
Wizards
They share—five players have averaged 10-plus points this month—and they win. Beating Detroit on Sunday made it six of seven, and Washington's up to fifth in the East. "We understand each other," guard Antonio Daniels (above) told The Washington Times. That's not all: Star Gilbert Arenas, out since November, may return this week.
Lofa Tatupu
The reward for three straight Pro Bowl selections? How about a six-year, $42 million contract extension. That's what the linebacker got from the Seahawks. Said Tatupu, who signed two days before Easter, "It's Great Friday."
Fish
Maybe he didn't win it all at Indian Wells, but No. 98 Mardy Fish plowed through some big hitters en route to whupping Roger Federer in the semis. (Federer: "Mardy was impossible to beat.") Then there are the bells—Fish is engaged to Stacey Gardner, holder of Deal or No Deal's case No. 2.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
As England's soccer association launched a RESPECT initiative—meant to curb shoddy treatment of refs—the self-dubbed Empress of Music, Aretha Franklin (right), delivered her signature song, and many others, in a dazzling return to Radio City Music Hall.
WHO's Not
Raptors
They're hanging back—the team got to the free throw line just 12 times against Denver on Sunday—and they're losing. Falling to the Nuggets made it 11 of 14, and sunk Toronto to seventh in the East. "We're too hesitant," griped star Chris Bosh (above), who added, thinking of the stretch run, "I hope we are not down on ourselves."
Chris Capuano
Oh the pain of it. A torn elbow ligament may mean the Brewers' lefty will have his second Tommy John surgery. (He also had surgery on his right shoulder last October.) Said Capuano, 29, of the prospect of another yearlong rehab, "It's very daunting."
Eagle
The former and often irascible NHL star Eddie (the Eagle) Belfour—twice the NHL's top goalie; twice arrested in alcohol-related incidents—is playing in a Swedish town. It's cold in Leksands (Monday's overnight low was, like, 7°) and times are tough; Belfour started 0--2 in the postseason.
Duke
You know about the hoopsters—bounced in Round 2! And the lacrosse team is stumbling too. An 11--7 loss to Georgetown (now there's your silver lining, Hoyas fans) dropped the previously unbeaten Blue Devils from No. 1.
SI PLAYERS NHL POLL
Which NHL head coach would you most like to play for?
Mike Babcock, Red Wings 16%
Ted Nolan, Islanders 10%
Wayne Gretzky, Coyotes 8%
Joel Quenneville, Avalanche 7%
Andy Murray, Blues 4%
Brent Sutter, Devils 4%
FAST FACTS
None of these top vote-getters have won a Stanley Cup behind the bench.... Through Sunday the Islanders, Coyotes and Blues were all well outside playoff position; the Avalanche was eighth in the West.... Nolan (1997) and Quenneville (2000) have won a coach of the year award.
[Based on a survey of 365 NHL players] • For more on the poll, and to comment on it, go to SI.com/players.
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RON TURENNE/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES (BOSH)
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JOHN BIEVER (CAPUANO)
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RAHAV SEGEV/PHOTOPASS.COM (FRANKLIN)
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KIRBY LEE/IMAGE OF SPORT/US PRESSWIRE (TATUPU)
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NICK WASS/AP (DANIELS)
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BRUCE BENNETT/GETTY IMAGES FOR TORONTO GLOBE AND MAIL (NOLAN)
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JOHN L. RUSSELL/AP (BABCOCK)
