11.   But is Dorsey a legitimate contender to win Saturday night?

12.   But the Mets are a legitimate contender.

13.   But they are a most legitimate contender for the wild-card slot, which almost certainly will be filled from the National League East.

14.   But were the Bruins a legitimate contender?

15.   Call them the political progeny of Harold Stassen, the one-time Minnesota governor who went from legitimate contender to national joke during his record seven New Hampshire primary campaigns.

16.   Carlesimo ranks the Jazz as a legitimate contender, although he, like many others, wonders what Utah will do without a legit big man in the playoffs.

17.   Can the Cubs ever be considered a legitimate contender?

18.   Defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom said the deals were crucial if the Red Wings were going to be legitimate contenders for a third consecutive Stanley Cup title.

19.   Despite being so lightly raced, he turned in a Jim Dandy performance that points him out as a legitimate Travers contender.

20.   Democracy requires a level playing field open to all legitimate contenders.