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Show J Inside Scoreboard Comics ..... Business Weather SPORT BU B12 EDITOR: AARON SHILL L Today B8 B9 1 The Lakers are running out of excuses. B3 THE DAILY HERALD (www.HarkTheHerald.com) THE FRONT ROW FRIDAY, Bl DECEMBER 27, 2002 i Tour winner edges out Bonds Four-tim- e By JIM VERTUNO MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR VOTES Associated Press Writer votes in parentheses: e To this day, Lance AUSTIN, Texas Armstrong insists cancer was the best thing that happened to him. By beating the disease that spread from his testicles to his lungs and brain, Armstrong gained the courage and will to conquer the Tour de France, considered one of the most grueling events in all sports. Armstrong went from haying a 50 percent chance to live in 1996 to four straight Tour championships, earning worldwide praise and admiration from sports fans and other cancer survivors. On Thursday, he was named The Associated Press Male Dick Harmon In today's NBA, writing off Utah just isn't smart what a difference a week makes. Take the Utah Jazz, for instance. A week ago heading into a holiday road swing, it looked like Jerry Sloan's Golden Oldies were in for a gumming. But hark, that giant upset of Dallas, a win over Memphis and an inspiring performance against Houston triggered a sterling 0 win streak. Suddenly, the Jazz have little need for that crate of Depends. A week ago, the turnover-pron-e Jazz looked disinterested, disjointed and bait for any team that wanted to just snatch a win at the end of a game in the Delta Center. r A week ago, talking heads on local sports talk radio all but wrote off Utah, making guaranteed wagers the Jazz would get swatted around in Texas. A week ago, any sane sports fan with a remote control would have to agree. Then came that win at Dallas, ending the Mavericks' franchise record home win streak. Utah actually looked fast and potent. At Memphis? No problem. Against Houston, the vibrant, emotional ride continued as the Jazz looked solid against the Rockets, taking control when poise and acumen were called for. So, what gives? Well, it's the NBA, where the regular season doesn't seem to matter. In tins, setting, anybody can look sick or like supermen. It's a year when the defending champion Los Angeles JJakers seem to have aged about 10 years in the offseason. And in this climate, on any given night, an aged veteran team like Utah that finds a spark and some pride can rise up and bite anybody. The NBA season is so long, you can't hang on every game. Commentary on radio shows that fill three-hou- r program slots, scrutinizing every single performance high or low is kind of like spitting into the ocean. The fact is, Utah isn't as bad as we think. And the Jazz aren't as good as many hope. Utah could easily earn the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference and have a neat little playoff appearance. The Jazz have won 15 games, four more than the Laker J. And what does that mean? In December, nothing. The Sporting News had a nice commentary on the dip in scoring in the league this season. Teams just aren't scoring like in years oy, ENAThe Associated Press CHRISTOPHE Lance Armstrong, winner of four straight Tour de France titles, is the AP Male Athlete of the Year. PTS Lance Armstrong (45) Barry Bonds (31) Tiger Woods (7) Tom Brady (2) Shaquille O'Neal (1) Cael Sanderson (3) Randy Johnson (3) Tony Stewart (2) Emmitt Smith (1) Alex Rodriguez (2) Saku Koivu (2) Apolo Ohno (1) Priest Holmes (2) Juan Dixon (1) Ronaldo Jimmy Shea (1) 292 233 110 38 33 29 28 22 9 9 9 Alexei Yagudin (1) Kobe Bryant Lertnox Lewis (1) See LANCE, B7 A 3-- PLAYER .7 7 Brad Banks (1) Brett Favre Tim Montgomery John Stockton (1) Adam Vinatieri (1) Roy Williams (1) Ken Drew Dorsey Gooden Ueyton Hewitt Sam Hornish Bode Miller Derek Parra Bnan Shimer Pete Sampras Kurt Warner Ole Emar Bjorndalen Troy Glaus Toni Hunter Oliver Kahn Michael Schumacher Jason Williams REIT) V - 12-ga- , past. That favors the Jazz, a squad t offense. built on set The days of the half-cour- run-and-g- league have been replaced by more deliberate shooting crazi-nes- s k attempts, and has been mired by defenses that emphasize getting back to protect against easy buckets. In short, the NBA has changed, and in the process, a team like Utah, even with its aging stars Karl Malone and John Stockton, has more chances on those nights the stars line up to do real damage. Against Houston, we saw a rare game in which Malone actually carried the team on his back in the final quarter. He just doesn't do that much with regularity. But in that game, Malone scored 10 of his 31 in that final quarter; six were in the final 1:30 of play. His outside jumper was never sweeter. Repeat performances won't be common. But Malone is capable, in a playoff series, of putting it together. Stockton's still one of the top four point guys in the league. Just ask the Rockets. Ask Dallas. RON tORI ESPhiladelphia Inquirer Refusing to lose: Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid talks to the media on Nov. 18, the Monday after starting quarterback Donovan McNabb was hurt in a game against Arizona. Since that time,' the Eagles have not lost a game. Former Cougar keeps when he's asked if this has been his best coaching job ever. "Aw, jeez," the burly coach responds. "If you say that kind of thing, I think you take away from what the players and assis- By BOB GLAUBER Newsday - Andy PHILADELPHIA he has just The Philadelphia Eagles' coach and former BYU player is standing outside the auditorium of the Eagles' training complex, about a Donovan McNabb pass away from creaky Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia on top injury-plague- d tant coaches have done. This is not about me. It's about the team and it's about everybody pulling closer together than what we were before." Aw, jeez, Coach. Cut it out. There is no one who even comes close to what Reid has done this year. He has gone through three quarterbacks because of injuries to McNabb and No. 2 quarterback Koy Detmer. And still, the Eagles have won the NFC East title and are closing in on home-fiel- d advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. A win over the New York Giants on Saturday, or a Green Bay Packers loss to the Jets Sunday, and the Eagles earn what might be the key to a Super Bowl run. "It's unusual, but I've had great support," Reid demurs. "I'm very fortunate to have a strong locker room and coaches that don't flinch under the gun." Flinch under the gun? McNabb went down with a fractured New York See REID, B6 fast-brea- I Dick Harmon, executive sports editor, can be reached at dharmonheraldextra.com Area teams take on 5A By DARNELL DICKSON 4A-5- The Daily Herald - OREM Finding a and an place to play opponent during the holiday season can be a daunting task for prep basketball coaches. Former Alta coach Ron Carling, the brains behind the Smith's Ragu Classic, has an answer. UVSC's McKay Events Center will play host to the Pro Look 4A-5Challenge today and Saturday. The event will feature 14 games between some of the top Class 4A and Class 5A teams in Utah. "It's kind of an awkward time for coaches to play games," Carling said. "Administrators don't want to have to open up gyms,, and staff games, so I ,. A -- ! , . MAr CHALLENGE A .... V!H l V Boys basketball at UVSC's McKay Events Center TODAY'S GAMES 11:30 a.m. Viewmont vs. Woods Cross 1 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 4 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 8:30 p.m. Cottonwood vs. Bonneville Skyline vs. Olympus Brighton vs. Sky View Riverton vs. Murray Davis vs. Orem Bingham vs. Spanish Fork SATURDAY'S GAMES 11:30 a.m. Clearfield vs. PI. Grove 1 p.m. 2:30 p.m. t 4 p.m. Hillcrest vs. Roy Northrktge vs. Highland West Jordan vs. East 5:30 p.m. Taylorsville vs. Payson Alta vs. Lone Peak ,,7pjii. ' 'f 8:30 p.m. Fremont vs. Mnt View) . ' i thought this might be fun to match up 4A teams against 5A teams. It's modeled after Ten Challenge. the ACC-Bi- g Vv've gotten ., a good response from coaches." tvfc.'K'' ' 1 It KvW Hi It lunmiiwum"'' Play starts at 11:30 a.m. both days. Six Utah Valley teams Orem, Spanish Fork, Pleasant Grove, Lone Peak, Payson and Mountain View will participate. Orem plays defending Class 5A champion Davis tonight at 7 p.m., and Spanish Fork takes on 5A No. 1 Bingham at 8:45 p.m. On Saturday, Pleasant Grove the day with opens Clearfield, Payson plays Taylorsville at 5:30 p.m., Lone Peak battles 5A contender Alta at 7 p.m. and Mountain View takes on Fremont at 8:30 p.m. "Hopefully, the Utah County teams are well matched," Carling said. y Cost for an pass to the event is $5 for adults l.l,'KKli K " " f r ) J. all-da- MAT I SMI ttifne Daily Herald Rick Roberts, left, of Lone Peak saves the ball in front of Provo's Craig Stringham in a recent game. See PREPS, B5 k ka K B; ti r--l; Ifnii- t'ti t' rv tvr fc i Mi |
