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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. War Emblem & his connection |
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Kentucky Derby surprise (20-1) was purchased for $1 million just a month ago. Good move. Don't look for repeat
in Preakness, however, since stone front-runner doesn't figure to get another uncontested early pace. |
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| 2. Los Angeles Lakers |
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Despite injuries to both Shaq and Kobe, they whipped the Spurs on Sunday for their 20th win in their last 21 playoff games. Tough, tough team with a smothering defense, great coaching and the two most implacable players in the game.
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| 3. Boston Red Sox |
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Perennial early-season teases have the best record in baseball (21-7) and are seven games up in the loss column on the suddenly vulnerable-looking Yankees. |
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| 4. Detroit Red Wings |
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After getting off to a slow start -- they dropped their first two playoff games to the Canucks -- the ageless wonders have run off six straight, and are the only team in the conference semis to hold a 2-0 lead. |
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| 5. Arsenal |
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The Gunners captured the F.A. Cup by downing London rival Chelsea 2-0, and can get the double by getting a win or a draw Wednesday at Manchester United for the Premier League title. |
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| 6. Seattle Mariners |
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Swept the Yankees in New York over the weekend, and hold the biggest division lead in baseball -- five games over Oakland in the AL West.
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| 7. San Jose Sharks |
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After a little 8-2 blip in Game 2, the Sharkies are back in command of their Western Conference semifinal series and lead the defending Cup champion Avalanche two games to one. |
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| 8. Jason Kidd for MVP |
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The votes were already in, of course, by the time Kidd carried the surprising Nets to a clutch series win over the Pacers in the opening round, and then an opening game victory over the physically superior Hornets, who were much better rested. But those who voted for the Nets' point guard for MVP -- even though he apparently finished second to Tim Duncan -- can consider themselves validated. |
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| 9. "Spider-Man" |
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Wall-climbing superhero breaks out with the greatest opening weekend in movie history -- $114 million in three days. All that, plus Kirsten Dunst in a wet tank top. Move over, Tiger, there's a new candidate for Luckiest Man Alive. |
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| 10. England's World Cup chances |
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David Beckham's foot is out of its cast, he's going to be ready for the World Cup, and all of England -- especially Posh Spice -- is a-twitter. |
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| ALSO RECEIVING VOTES: Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Sacramento Kings-Dallas Mavericks series, Detroit Pistons, best clutch hoops player not named Michael Jordan (Reggie Miller), Arizona Diamondbacks, baseball contraction teams, Cincinnati Reds, K.J. Choi, Ozzy Osbourne and family
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TEAM
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PAGE 2 SAYS
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MO' METER
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| 5. Harlan's Holiday & his connections |
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Lukewarm Derby favorite was never a factor. |
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| 4. Milwaukee Brewers |
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Commissioner, contract thyself! |
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| 3. Philadelphia 76ers |
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There are many excuses -- some even legit, like Allen Iverson's untimely injury -- but the truth is the defending Eastern Conference champs destroyed themselves through horrendous offseason personnel moves, internal strife between AI and Larry Brown, and their failure to retain team president Pat Croce. And the future is not bright.
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| 2. Boston Bruins |
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No. 1 seed's first-round dismissal by Montreal Canadiens
is being interpreted by some religious scholars as proof of God's distaste
for dirty play, though other scholars wonder what that says about the Maple
Leafs eliminating the Islanders.
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| 1. Kansas City Royals |
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Gee, maybe it wasn't Tony Muser's fault after all. Since dismissing the manager last week, KC's hapless decision-makers have watched the Royals go 0-6, good enough to build the worst record in the game (8-21). |
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| ALSO RECEIVING VOTES: Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto
Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Colorado Rockies, Bob Clarke's Broadstreet Bullies buddies, "Jason X," "Deuces Wild," Penthouse magazine
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| Mo' Meter explained: |
No mo'; holding |
Climbing the charts |
Peaked; all downhill |
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