Yesterday was Becky Hammon day at the Rapid City Journal as she dominated the news here, despite strong stories all around. So today, we dedicate The Fives to her.

No. 1 with a bullet: Becky to play for Russia

If you simply can't get your Becky Hammon news fix, there is certainly enough to go around this week as the former Rapid City Stevens graduate and current WNBA All-Star made big waves by announcing she would be playing for the Russian national team at the upcoming Olympic games in Beijing this year.

She can do this because she has never played for the USA in any major competition and is basically considered a dual citizen after securing proper "papers" to play in the former Soviet state.

The Argus Leader's Mick Garry supports Hammon's decision, and so do a number of readers at www.rapidcityjournal. Two stories that ran on the site Wednesday - the original Associated Press story and a follow up by Journal sports reporter Jeff Budlong - are among the most commented on ever at the Journal. While Hammon's announcement certainly raised the rancor of many a Rapid Replier, there were also healthy doses of support for the decision to play for another country.

As Journal Editor Mikel Lefort notes in his Typos and Tribulations blog, activity on the stories somewhat diffused one of the biggest stories so far this year in Rapid City as school officials announced that they were financial peril and will have to take difficult steps to keep the district afloat.

T&T also provides a great video news profile from a foreign perspective.

Nick Drehs has an excellent story, "Hammon's Olympic dream puts her in Russian uniform," at ESPN.com, which also includes a video interview with Hammon.

Meanwhile, back at www.beckyhammon.com, don't be alarmed by the "important message" to her fans. That's about her trade to San Antonio last year and doesn't have anything to do with this week's news.

Hey, the site may not be up to date, but it certainly has a nice flash presence and plenty of features for the die-hard Becky Hammon fans.

2. Five (or more) stories still bigger than Becky

Although the hometown girl's announcement certainly drew a lot of attention, it is only in the lower tier of the Top 20 of 2008. Of course, the story has only been around one day and will pick up readers throughout the weeks and months ahead.

Still, it faces competition in two areas you might think it was a slam dunk winner - basketball and the Olympics.

The No. 3 and No. 5 most read stories of the year at www.rapidcityjournal.com was the "Pine Ridge win overturned" and "Red Cloud ends run for defending state champions," respectively. Meanwhile, coming in at No. 6, is "Post 22 says no to Olympic team." Other stories rounding out the top five are No. 1 "Central teen's death confirmed as suicide," No. 2 "80-year-old woman shoots mountain lion in her yard," and No. 4 "Costner may be forced to sell casino."

3. Five best athletes to come out of Rapid City

OK, let me begin by saying I'm not the expert here, but that being said, it's still hard for me to define the five best athletes to come out of Rapid City.

Wrestler Randy Lewis, an Olympic gold medalist,is certainly on the list. Current well-known pros Eric Piatkowski of the Phoenix Suns and Mark Ellis of the Oakland A's must be considered, as well as past baseball stars such as Dick Green of the A's and Dave Collins of the Cincinnati Reds.

And then there's Baltimore Colts and Dallas Cowboys standout John Dutton.

Yikes, that's six, and there's probably another six I'm missing.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: For example, Adam Viniatieri, as a Rapid Replier below pointed out so astutely. No hacking on perhaps the greatest kicker ever in the NFL, or at least the best clutch kicker of all-time. His ticket to the Hall of Fame should be about ready by now, so I apologize for missing a blatantly obvious one.)

For a list of the Top 50 South Dakota athletes of all time (according to Sports Illustrated), check here.

4. Five bigger(?) Olympic stories than Becky Hammon

In no particular order, "China: Plot on Olympic athletes foiled," "Olympic torch run out of sight for most," "Dalai Lama Shows Support for Games," "Bush bridles at calls to shun Olympics gala," and "Rogge Says Olympics in 'Crisis'"

5. Best athletes to wear the No. 25 (Hammon's number with San Antnoio)

OK, Barry Bonds may be the best, but her certainly isn't more loved - I don't think.Other greats include Mark McGwire, Fred Biletnikoff and K.C. Jones.

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