May 4, 2009 Table Of Contents
LEADING OFF
Inside: THE WEEK IN SPORTS
Smart free-agent signings and a strong farm system have the Dodgers off to a fast start that will have legs
By Joe Sheehan
With a winning record and big, boisterous crowds, the Sounders don't look anything like an expansion franchise
Carl Edwards's last-lap crash makes it clear that changes must be made at racing's most perilous track
NBA PLAYOFFS
WHAT A SHOW (WHAT ABOUT KEVIN?)
The first-round series between Boston and Chicago proved to be a first-class fight as the upstart Bulls played without fear and the Celtics struggled to mount a title defense with one superstar very notably absent
By Chris Mannix
BASEBALL
Zack Greinke Is In Total Control
The rise of the young Royals ace has been as spectacular as his fall was chilling. His anxiety disorder now in check, he's unleashed the full range of his remarkable talent
PRO FOOTBALL
For new regimes, the draft was a chance to put their blueprints to work. Case in point: Kansas City, whose Super Bowl--tested management set about building Patriots West
By Peter King
Last weekend's bold dealing and drafting set up some teams for immediate improvement (though some unhappy vets were left stewing)
By Jim Trotter
NHL PLAYOFFS
The Canucks' Daniel and Henrik Sedin are beyond symbiotic: They skate on the same line, score the same number of points and play identity tricks on refs. They're also in the second round, so who cares if their coach can't tell them apart?
SURFING
Kelly Slater is winning world titles again—a record nine and counting—and planning to bring his sport to the masses. But before he could do that, the uneasy rider had to solve the nagging mystery of why he surfed
By Gary Smith
Point After
Departments
Two decades after Field of Dreams, Shoeless Joe has some company
By Bryan Curtis
Dikembe Mutombo was a big, bad shot blocker with a huge heart
By Ian Thomsen
High school no-nos don't always lead to pro success
By Andy Staples
More draftees insure their NFL careers before they start
By Joe Lemire
Sports world's avian follies
What smart fans should do this week
By Dan Patrick
A Jersey girl tosses a Little League gem
By Sarah Kwak
EXCERPT From Sports Illustrated May 9, 1983
What is the only game show to be featured in SI?
By Ben Reiter