LEADING OFF

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Photograph by ©Gunther/mptvimages.com

1933--2013 Jerry Buss Yes, the longtime Lakers owner (page 20), who died on Monday, won 10 NBA titles in his 33 years in charge of the franchise. But he also embroidered the team into the cultural fabric of L.A., in no small part because the nightlife-loving chemist (third from right)—seen here with Magic Johnson and some unidentified friends in 1981—saw Showtime as more than a basketball branding tool. It was a way of life.

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Photograph by Mike Carter/USA Today Sports

Arch Enemies Fans can talk all the trash they want, but the Michigan--Michigan State rivalry comes down to skirmishes like this one between the Wolverines' Trey Burke (3) and the Spartans' Denzel Valentine before an inbounds pass in East Lansing on Feb. 12. Until their March 3 rematch, advantage Michigan State: The No. 8 Spartans routed No. 4 Michigan 75--52.

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Photograph by KAI PFAFFENBACH/Reuters

They'll At Least Put in a Starting Gate, Right? A brave skier made his way through some extreme powder at Rosa Khutor, the Russian resort that will host the Alpine skiing events during the Sochi Olympics next year. This guy looks chilly, but a worry for the Games: Warm weather farther down the mountain forced the cancellation of a World Cup snowboard event last week.