51.  As it turns out, there are better teams than the Sun Devils.

52.  Asked if, in fact, the Knicks were a better team without Ewing, Bird said: "No, not at all.

53.  Granted, the Rangers are a far better team than they were opening night when the clubs tied, 4-4.

54.  He has also made it very clear that he will like his team even better when Pedro Martinez, Frank Castillo, and Jason Varitek return.

55.  Has anybody out there not currently under the influence of a mind-altering drug suggested even once that the Bulls and Broncos would become better teams without their bell cows?

56.  He added that the Rockets were a better team, which did not qualify as news by the end of the first half Tuesday night.

57.  He is a tremendous warrior for their team, and I don't think they're a better team without him.

58.  He didn't see or hear the celebration for the Seattle SuperSonics, the better team.

59.  He played very competently against Pittsburgh and Buffalo in the early rounds, though he will be facing a much better team Tuesday.

60.  He has a better team than UConn, and he knows it.