41.  As far as I'm concerned, they're the best players in the world, but we haven't felt really nervous."

42.  Duval, who was earning a reputation as the best player without a victory on tour, quickly is making up lost ground.

43.  Duke has the country's two best players, and both Shane Battier and Jason Williams have been transcendent during the postseason.

44.  Duke's best player is Shane Battier, who averages 15 points and draws the other team's best offensive player.

45.  Duncan merely is the best player on the best team in the best conference.

46.  Dykstra was succinct: "When we quit, we had simply figured out that we were about the 2,000th best piano players in the world."

47.  Earlier this year, the European media voted Stojakovic as the best international player in the NBA.

48.  Divac, therefore, could tongue-in-cheekly claim that when he left the Lakers, it took the two best players in the league to replace him.

49.  During the series with Detroit, Keenan complained publicly about the play of his best players.

50.  During their winning days, the Fighting Illini used to get the best players out of St. Louis but that no longer is the case.