21.   Despite being pursued by numerous title contenders, including the Knicks, Rodman will retire to pursue an acting career, according to his agent, Dwight Manley.

22.   Diaz, a title contender from Coachella, gave an outstanding performance against a tough, tested veteran.

23.   During the preseason, the Warriors were expected to be a playoff team, and even a dark-horse title contender.

24.   Falk made it clear that he was unlikely to land with a serious title contender.

25.   Florida State, Notre Dame and Florida all took turns as one-week title contenders.

26.   Four years ago, he was a title contender until late in the season, settling for a final fourth-place finish in the standings.

27.   He could have accepted a backup role on a title contender with grace, as Young had done for so long.

28.   He immediately implemented his system and the Rams immediately became a regular title contender.

29.   He still looks better, tanned and relaxed, than the title contender Don Nelson did on television last week.

30.   His job is to turn a young group of overachievers into a real and consistent title contender.