The Elevator

By Ron Kantowski

Saturday, July 26, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Who’s headed toward the penthouse on the local sports scene — and who’s getting the shaft.

GOING UP

All-Decade Rebels

Jamaal Brimmer (2001-04) and Beau Bell (2004-07); Lauren Miramontes (2003-07), Maria Aladjova (2004-07) and Jada Walker (2004-07); and Annii Magliulo and Jenna Huff were named to the All-Mountain West 10th Anniversary Team in football, volleyball and women’s soccer, respectively. More Rebels should be feted as the MWC’s 10-year anniversary celebration continues in the winter and spring.

Rehab assignments

To Dodgers fans in L.A., this would be filed under Going Down. But it’s the only reason Las Vegas 51s fans have been able to see major leaguers Nomar Garciaparra, Andy LaRoche, Gary Bennett, Jason Schmidt, Rafael Furcal, Andruw Jones, Mark Sweeney and Juan Pierre play baseball at minor league prices.

Dwyane Wade

And the other Team USA basketball stars who have been nice enough to sign autographs for local kids (and even their parents). Wade apologized for not having time to sign for everybody. “Without the fans I would not be ‘D-Wade’ or ‘Flash.’ I’d still be Dwyane Wade.” Without the fans, he’d be shooting hoops at Sunset Park.

GOING DOWN

LeBron James

For not signing autographs after Team USA practice this week. Nothing says “I’ve Got Olympic Spirit” like dissing a bunch of wistful kids who had been waiting for more than three hours in 108-degree heat clutching your basketball card and a Bic pen. But at least he spent some quality time with Reid Shadle, the Make-A-Wish kid from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and his family.

The Battle

Not the fight between Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito itself, but the supposedly catchy name for it. The Battle? That’s the best they could come up with? I know “Thrilla in Manila” wouldn’t work here, “Fists of Fury” was taken long ago by Bruce Lee, and “Thunder and Lightning” is so passe. But what about “Thunder vs. Thunder?” Or “The Spanish Imposition?” Or “Godzilla vs. Smog Monster?” Well, maybe not Godzilla vs. Smog Monster. Now I know why the UFC just numbers its fights instead of naming them.

UNLV football clinic for women

There’s nothing wrong with educating women about the finer points of football. There is something wrong with charging them $30-$40 at the door — when you can get the information free by asking your husband, boyfriend or crazy Uncle Sid. For $40, you do get lunch, Starbucks coffee and a tour of Sam Boyd Stadium. So maybe you’ll get to see where BYU puts its pants on one leg at a time, just like the Rebels.