Detroit Free Press

He didn't do it.That didn't stop police from interrogating him for 12 hours, screaming questions, denying him a lawyer, holding a gun to his head, telling him he should fess up because otherwise he was going to "get the needle," the death penalty, dead man walking, because, after all, he raped that girl at the Pizza Hut, he murdered that girl, this is how he did it, isn't it? Isn't it? ISN'T IT? If you sign this confession, it'll be easier on you....

Ihear a knock. I open the door. Look who I see come a caroling ...Democrats singing "Here Comes Santa Claus"Here comes W, Here comes W W's on his way See him bouncing, mispronouncing, He's the prez today! Let Dick Cheney run the show Let Colin take the snaps Condi Rice makes everything nice While W takes a nap.Al Gore, "Joy To the World"Wait! Stop the world! Just one more time And let's recount the votes We'll beat inauguration Let's do some calculations There's still some ballots out Some chads lying about I'm sure I can win this thing With one more count.

MILWAUKEE 92, DEROIT 88The whistle blew -- offensive foul! -- and Richard Hamilton, in disgust, tore away his plastic mask. This is not why they call him "Rip." He threw the mask across the floor. Shreek! Another whistle. Technical foul to go with his sixth foul. And then, for good measure, the refs threw him out altogether. He left muttering angry warnings to the Bucks on the floor, who nodded as if to say, "Yeah, yeah, whatever. You're gone. We're still here. And we're gonna win the game."Adding insult to larceny.

He is either an old man in a young man's body or a young man in an old man's face. Appearances are deceiving with Mehmet Okur. He is a rookie, but he looks like he could have four kids and a minivan. He is a strong rebounder, but his body looks like the "before" ad for one of those muscle gyms.

There are bonds you are born with, like your parents or siblings, and bonds you choose, like friends and lovers. Then there are the bonds that come along by accident, that somehow choose you, and draw you in like destiny.For Kris Draper, the Red Wings' oft-grinning forward, the bond began with a phone call. A teenage girl from Shepherd, he was told, had leukemia and was in the hospital. She was a huge Draper fan. Could he possibly call her?

He sounded a bit nervous. But then, if you were being handed, at the same time, the biggest paycheck of your career and the second-worst team in pro football, wouldn't you be nervous, too?"Just tell me one thing," I asked Steve Mariucci, the Lions' new head coach, Wednesday afternoon, "tell me you can win more than three games next year.""Ah, ah . . ." he said, stalling, "we'll go one game at a time.""No," I insisted. "Please. Just say you can win three games. Just say it. You can, right?""Ah, ah," he laughed. "Don't put words in my mouth."

In many ways, they're a lot alike.The Red Wings have won Stanley Cups. The Avalanche has won Stanley Cups.The Red Wings have a goalie who speekeeng with dee accent. The Avs have a goalie who speak wit' an' accent.The Wings have a captain who is quiet, rugged and wears No. 19. The Avs have a captain who is quiet, rugged and wears No. 19.And while the Wings have a foreign phenomenon, Igor Larionov, who is 41 yet skates like a kid, the Avs also have a foreign phenomenon, Peter Forsberg, who took the regular season off yet is leading the playoffs in points.

Editor's note: This column contains lyrics that could be offensive. But the Free Press thinks they're important to understand the columnist's view.Hip, hip, hooray for Dr. Dre! He sure showed those bullies who is boss. He's a champion for the First Amendment! A hero for freedom of speech!Let's pause for some Dre lyrics.I don't give a f--- about the bitch Because I don't give a f---! And I don't give a f---!