Sports

by Brian D. Sweany

November 2001

THE CHAMP The Cowboys' stock may be down (okay, it's Black Tuesday down), the Rangers may be struggling (okay, struggling like a beached whale), but at least we can brag on the Astros, who at press time were in the thick of the pennant race. Home team or not, though, Texans always enjoy the chance to root for the best athletes in their fields. Here are some winners for the month of November. The Tour Championship (November 1-4, Houston): The PGA Tour's season-ending event returns to Champions Golf Club with a lineup that includes the top players of the year. Yes, a guy wearing a red Nike shirt who answers to the name "Tiger" will be there. The Los Angeles Lakers versus the Houston Rockets (November 15, Houston): Fans may be Dreamless in Houston now that Hakeem Olajuwon has fled to Canada, but it's tough to turn down the chance to see the two-time defending champs. The good news? The Rockets beat Shaq and Kobe in their first meeting last year. The bad news? The Lakers won the last three. Professional Bull Riders Bud Light World Challenge (November 24 and 25, Austin): The world's top bull riders mount up in Austin for a shot at $200,000 in prize money. Texan Ty Murray will be bucking for the win in one of the most competitive fields in PBR history. (See Austin and Houston.)