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Page 2's Power Poll dares to rate the teams that are currently wielding the most power in the entire sports universe.
Each week, our poll will rank the 10 teams at the top of the power heap -- and the five teams that have lost the most power in the past week. And, by the way, Page 2 uses its own definition for a "team" -- any group of two or more bonded together for the common purpose.
Our Momentum Meter also predicts the direction these teams will be heading in future weeks (see the bottom of the page for a full explanation).
If you've got anything to say about our Top 10 or our Bottom 5, click here to comment -- or forever hold your peace.
TEAM
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PAGE 2 SAYS
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MO' METER
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| 1. Phil Jackson & his genius rep |
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If the Lakers eliminate the Spurs, which seems like a formality after Sunday's horrifying loss by Duncan Inc., Phil Jackson-coached teams will have won 22 straight playoff series. Let us repeat ... 22 straight. |
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| 2. Detroit Red Wings |
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It takes those old guys a little extra time to get their bearings when the action heats up, but when they do ... watch out. |
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| 3. Sacramento Kings |
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OK, OK, they're better than Page 2 thought. But they're still not a half-court team, there is no "D" in Kings (nor in Sacramento, for that matter), C-Webb doesn't seem to want the ball in crunch time, and the Lakers clearly have them psyched out.
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| 4. Arsenal |
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More impressive than completing the double of a Premier League title and F.A. Cup championship, the Gunners knocked once-mighty Manchester United off its perch of supremacy right on its home pitch of Old Trafford. Plus, Arsenal never lost an away game, and scored in every game this season.
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| 5. Boston fans |
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The Red Sox survived a West Coast trip, maintaining the best record in the game (25-9). Now the question is: Can they survive without Manny Ramirez for a month or so? (We'll talk about their "Yankee problem" soon.) And the C's dynamic duo of Pierce and Walker look like they're headed for the NBA Finals. Too bad the Lakers are, too. |
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| 6. Seattle Mariners |
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The real best team in baseball ... at least, for the regular season. Here's their "question": Is the starting pitching good enough to sweep through the postseason? And the answer is: Not yet.
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| 7. Carolina Hurricanes |
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They're good. In fact, they could go all the way ... at least to the Stanley Cup finals. But what's the NHL's biggest PR nightmare, class? That's right -- the 'Canes vs. the Senators for the Eastern Conference championship. |
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| 8. New Jersey Nets |
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Admit it ... you never thought they'd get this far. (Hey, neither did we.) But that Kidd kid is tough! |
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| 9. Rick Carlisle & his Coach of the Year award |
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He must be really good, because that team of his isn't. |
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| 10. "Spider-Man" |
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The Webhead is going after big game -- top-grossing all-time champ "The Titanic" -- and if he gets there, he's moving up the list ... waaaaaaay up the list. |
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| ALSO RECEIVING VOTES: San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds, Florida Marlins, Colorado Avalanche, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Jose Rijo, U.S. World Cup soccer team, Chip Ganassi Racing, Shigeki Maruyama, Slovakian national hockey team, Nike golf
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TEAM
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PAGE 2 SAYS
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MO' METER
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| 5. NBA team that drafts Yao Ming |
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Getting everybody who has a stake in the 7-5 long-term project to sign off on a deal is going to be harder than achieving peace in the Middle East. |
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| 4. Cleveland Indians |
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Since their 11-1 start, the Tribe is a woeful 6-19. So maybe GM Mark Shapiro isn't a genius, after all. |
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| 3. Dallas Mavericks |
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Cuban's Crew failed to hold up their end in The Shootout that Won the Right to Lose to the Lakers in the West. |
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| 2. Pete Sampras |
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Pete, what the heck happened to you? Page 2 finds itself wondering if any other all-time great ever lost it this fast in what should have been his prime years.
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| 1. Formula One racing |
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We only have one question for world champion Michael Schumacher and accommodating Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello: When did Vince McMahon take over management of the Formula One circuit? |
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| ALSO RECEIVING VOTES: San Antonio Spurs, Charlotte Hornets, Jose Canseco, German Open, Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers
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| Mo' Meter explained: |
No mo'; holding |
Climbing the charts |
Peaked; all downhill |
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