Posted on Thu, May. 08, 2008

DAILY TICKET: The MVP rub

NEWS TO KNOW

1 Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens visits Late Night With Conan O'Brien tonight (11:35 p.m., KXAS/Ch. 5).

2 The Dallas Stars will hold free watch parties for every Western Conference Finals game, home and away, on the AT&T plaza outside American Airlines Center. Tonight's party begins at 6. Bring chairs. Limited seating and tables are available.

3 The first 20,000 fans at Friday's Texas Rangers vs. Oakland A's game at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington receive a free T-shirt.

4 Conquering the Beast Pro Bull Riding is Friday-Saturday at Will Rogers Coliseum. Doors open at 6 p.m.; first performance is 7 p.m. Tickets are $10, under 6 free. Go to www.centralticketoffice.com or call 800-462-7979.

5 U.S. sprinters Sanya Richards and Allyson Felix will run for gold medals at the Olympics, then run for gold in a Swiss track meet. Felix, a two-time 200-meter world champion, and Richards, a former University of Texas star and U.S. record-holder in the 400, will compete in both events at the Weltklasse meet Aug. 29. If either wins both races, they will be rewarded with a pound of gold, worth about $14,000.

SPOTLIGHT THE MVP RUB

MVP IS NO GUARANTEE

Kobe Bryant's first MVP award marks a new high for the Lakers superstar's illustrious career, but it doesn't necessarily bode well for his team's title aspirations. Of the 10 MVP winners before Bryant, only three led their clubs to the championship during their special seasons. The rundown:

Michael Jordan, Bulls, 1997-98: The fifth and last MVP of his career, Jordan led the Bulls to their fifth NBA championship with a six-game victory over the Jazz.

Karl Malone, Jazz, 1998-99: It was the second MVP for "The Mailman," but it didn't help. After narrowly escaping the Kings in the first round, the Jazz couldn't keep up with the Blazers, losing in six games.

Shaquille O'Neal, Lakers, 1999-2000: Shaq's one and only MVP signified the beginning of a mini-dynasty as LA won the first of three consecutive titles by beating the Pacers in six.

Allen Iverson, 76ers, 2000-01: Iverson earned his honor with a magical season that culminated with a trip to the NBA Finals, where Philadelphia was squashed by the Lakers in five games.

Tim Duncan, Spurs, 2001-02: Timmy's first MVP season ended in the conference semifinals as the eventual champion Lakers beat the Spurs in five games.

Tim Duncan, Spurs, 2002-03: Duncan got it right the second time around. The Spurs swept the Nets as San Antonio won its second NBA title.

Kevin Garnett, Timberwolves, 2003-04: KG led Minnesota to a division title and the top seed in the West. But the T'wolves fell to the Lakers in the West Finals.

Steve Nash, Suns, 2004-05: Nash's breakout season helped bring fast-breaking offenses back in style, but the Suns' run ended in five games against the eventual champion Spurs in the West Finals.

Steve Nash, Suns, 2005-06: The second time wasn't the charm as Phoenix reached the West Finals again, this time falling to the Mavs in six games.

Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks, 2006-07: Top-seeded Dallas' first-round collapse against Golden State won't be forgotten anytime soon.

Joe Garza, Star-Telegram Staff Writer

jagarza@star-telegram.com

CHARITABLE FEET

Basketball analysts Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson will go barefoot during Sunday's Inside the NBA show on TNT to promote a charity that wants to outfit 10 million impoverished children worldwide with shoes in 10 years. Samaritan's Feet received national attention this year when IUPUI's Ron Hunter coached in his bare feet to help raise money and shoes for the organization.

-- AP