February 9, 2009 Table Of Contents
SI.com
SI Bonus Section: Golf Plus
A late bloomer like FBR Open winner Kenny Perry knew exactly what a couple of rookie challengers were going through as they took another step toward long-sought success
The next chapter in the Casey Martin story involves pal Dusty Schmidt (another golf prodigy halted by health woes), high-stakes online poker, and the lessons each man learned on the course
A giant tour sponsor walks
By Jim Gorant
By AJ Bonar
A day on the course with the literary lion
By Dan Patrick
SI Players: LIFE ON AND OFF THE FIELD
The Fly Who Came in from the Cold
An unbridled streetball legend is honored by the school he made famous
A literary master had a keen eye for sports
Was the champ packing his fists with extra wallop?
By Chris Mannix
By Joe Lemire
What smart fans should do this week
The former Lost cast member stars in Taken, in theaters now
As told to Sarah Kwak
SI Players, Jan. 19, 2009: Update
SUPER BOWL XLIII
In a pulse-pounding showdown that will rank among the NFL's classic championship games, the Steelers broke the Cardinals' hearts to earn a record sixth Lombardi Trophy and evoke memories of Pittsburgh's title teams of old.
By Damon Hack
After the greatest postseason ever by a receiver, the Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald has one goal: to become even better
By Jim Trotter
These Steelers have built something special, but do they measure up to Pittsburgh's four-time champions of the '70s? No—not yet
By Peter King
TENNIS
In blistering heat that brought down some of the fittest players at the Australian Open, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams left no doubt: They are the undisputed king and queen of their sport and may soon deserve berths among the alltime greats
PRO BASKETBALL
The Blazers have entrusted their future to a 24-year-old guard with the game of an aging veteran. Now, all that prematurely mature Brandon Roy has to do is learn to play like a kid
By Ian Thomsen
HOCKEY
Drafted second to Sidney Crosby four years ago, the Ducks' Bobby Ryan has overcome a slow start to his career and a harsh chapter of his family life to become the NHL's hottest rookie
VMI BASKETBALL
Behind twin shooters Travis and Chavis Holmes, VMI has mobilized its long-dormant hoops program with a freewheeling attack that will make the Keydets dangerous come tournament time
By Tim Layden
Inside
Two underhyped guards from the Northwest have taken the lead in the Pac-10 freshman of the year race
By Seth Davis
Knicks forward David Lee will be a jewel of this year's free-agent market, but don't expect a change of setting
By Chris Mannix
Point After
Excess, Please. Extra-Wretched