Bob Hille's starting 5

Sporting News, The, May 24, 2004

(1)

NBA playoffs. Conspiracy theorists say the league, to maximize TV ratings, has each game's winner and loser scripted. That's a tough sell, though; we've all seen Shaq act.

(2)

The NCAA. It says that 1.1 percent of college football players accepted money to play poorly. On the bright side, they've learned their lesson at SMU, where 100 percent are playing poorly at no extra charge.

(3)

The Lightning. The team called off its "free beer" promotion, but the boys in marketing are still negotiating to sell naming rights to their forwards: "Cuervo shooters."

(4)

Kerry Collins. He has overestimated his value in the NFL. It falls somewhere between "not a starter" and the U.S. dollar overseas.

(5)

Draft eligible. Reporters criticize kids who declare. But what writer, with millions to gain, wouldn't skip college to go straight to the prose?