One day, two teams, one arena....
Such tradition could only happen in New England. An early afternoon start for the Bruins was perfect for a rabid fanbase with a suprisingly hot team to cheer. After a freak goal against the run of play early in the first period, the New York Islanders wished they had still been eating leftovers. The second and third periods were all Bruins. 7 goals by 6 players paved the way for a demolition of epic holiday proportions. Last year such an onslaught was rarer then the occaisonal slim female Bruin fan. This year, the goals and the south end hoochies are out in force. Plus, you have not lived until you wait to take a piss with 75 other Bruin fans in one of the Garden's horrendously inadaquate restrooms on the balcony level. I concluded the Bruins part of the program by watching the B's drive their huge SUV's out of the players parking lot with a group of kids, their parents, and the aformentioned south end hoochies.
Intermission: 3 1/2 hours at The Fours, eating an overpriced "Larry Bird" and chatting it up with some overexurberant BU girls. One was "an education major". Needless to say, she hung of my every word of my ever growing "Tales of the Classroom Chronicles". The finance boys in the crowd could only talk about "the ups' and downs". I had the cranberry juice, and the natural diarectic jokes only subsided when I made it rain...Most bizarre moment-When I predicted out of the blue that Nebraska would miss the field goal, only to see them try an awful fake that ended in the freak UC touchdown. Ridonculous. I triumphantly left the bar to pick up my Cs tickets and wait in line.
I bought a new Celtics hat. Its fresh.
There actually isn't much to say about the game itself. The C's were dominent defensively, early dunks by Perk and KG blew the roof off the building, and Ray Allen's huge third quarter rendered a terrible evening by the Truth moot as the game was over for all intent and purposes by the start of the fourth. The constant calls for Scalabrine to shoot were ridiculous, until he popped out and drained a three, once again sending the crowd into a tizzy late in the fourth. In the end, the game ha a little bit of everything.
Conclusions from the day:
The better the team, the more hot female support the team gets. It was my first Garden experience under these consitions. This sounds great on the surface, but coupled with the over the top intensity of the family friendly atmosphere promoted in both games, this drastically alters the experience. The result is a unqiue dicotomy for professional sports as MMA takes the mantle as the most unsanitized sporting experience for fans from boxing. 10 of the 12 people in my row were on dates. The garden is not the place to expect a roudy good time.
In this time of economic crisis, the NBA is pricing out the fans bigtime. I sat in the same section and row for both games. After taxes I paid 20 bucks more for the Cs game. The majority of the lower bowl was corporate, and my center balcony section was all yuppie dudes and their neuveau riche girlfriends. Now this doesn't nessesarily mean the environment was comparable to the Rent or the Civic Center for a UConn game, as there weren't many grandparents out for their weekly trip from the home. However, there was a reason that the crowd for the B's game was in line out of North Station 2 1/2 hours before the game and I was the first in line for the C's game 60 minutes before the tip.
Th separation between myself and the city of Boston is healthy. I would not be able to function if I lived there. As anestitized as the games were, both teams took their performances to the next level. The final three Bruins goals were as poetic as anything that ahas ever been written. David Krejcis goal was as supreme an individual effort as the NHL has seen all season and Kessel's goal showed this team may have what it takes. Big test tonight aginast the Red Wings...
The Intro's were not as good as last season.
One of the celtics ball boys hit 5 of 6 from beyond he arch before the game, and couldn't have been older then 12. I'm assuming he was directly relate to one of the players, becuase while short, he looked far more prepared for the league then say, any current member of the Duke mens team.
In the words of O'Shea Jackson, it was a good day....
Showing posts with label Boston Celtics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boston Celtics. Show all posts
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
C's Draft
Round One
JR Giddens-6'5', more notable for his off the court issues then his game. He better be able to play D or it will be the D league for worse or this youngster. I gotta say, the best bet was a backup center, maybe even a Euro. But Who Cares,....Si Se Puede!!!
Trade-Sent cash to Washington for Bill Walker-6'6', more notable for poor injury background.Then again, so was Leon Powe.
Round Two
Semih Erden-7'1'-(Turkey) See you in 5 years, unless the US dollar continues to fall quicker then a Rajon Rondo break out for a layup.
JR Giddens-6'5', more notable for his off the court issues then his game. He better be able to play D or it will be the D league for worse or this youngster. I gotta say, the best bet was a backup center, maybe even a Euro. But Who Cares,....Si Se Puede!!!
Trade-Sent cash to Washington for Bill Walker-6'6', more notable for poor injury background.Then again, so was Leon Powe.
Round Two
Semih Erden-7'1'-(Turkey) See you in 5 years, unless the US dollar continues to fall quicker then a Rajon Rondo break out for a layup.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Clutch
My ablity to speed home and watch the last 5 holes of the U.S. Open playoff,.....totally clutch.
Monday proved that like me, Tiger Woods was once again totally clutch. The question is, did Kevin Garnett learn anything? 1-4 on free throws in the last five miuntes last night. Lets go KG!!!
The Fox 5 coverage of the post Mets Double Header player, manager, and GM interviews on Sunday was hilarious. Yo Wilpon...Keep Willie,...this has Isiah Level comedy written all over it...All it is missing is a Law suit....
Monday proved that like me, Tiger Woods was once again totally clutch. The question is, did Kevin Garnett learn anything? 1-4 on free throws in the last five miuntes last night. Lets go KG!!!
The Fox 5 coverage of the post Mets Double Header player, manager, and GM interviews on Sunday was hilarious. Yo Wilpon...Keep Willie,...this has Isiah Level comedy written all over it...All it is missing is a Law suit....
Sunday, January 6, 2008
The Rise of Glen Davis
They call him “Big Baby”, but Saturday night Glen Davis's nickname should have been “The Closer”. Glen Davis, a guy I compared to a 6’5’ version of Darko Milicic in November, scored 16 4th quarter points to force the Celtics to a 92-85 victory over the Pistons in a performance that would have had Cinco Ocho dancing a jig. Davis finished with 20 points on the evening. The victory by the C’s snapped an 11 game wining streak by the Pistons and avenged the loss in Beantown December 19th.
It was a virtuoso performance by Davis, who despite seeing major time off the bench early in the season had seen some of his PT usurped by Planet Pollard in recent weeks. Davis’s energy and girth was too unorthodox for the combination of Pistons giants down low. The skilled Davis’s ability to finish around the basket led to two incredible three point plays in the final minutes to secure a victory. Coupled by the scrappy play of Captain Paul Pierce (19,9,and 7), the Celtics were able to rebound from KG’s early foul trouble. While it was another difficult game for Ray Allen (9 points), the performance by Davis will also continue to call into question the play of Kendrick Perkins.
Perkins sparked the Celtics with 6 quick points on night, but only scored one point the rest of the entire game. His predictable moves, lack of energy above the rim, and KG’s foul trouble allowed the Pistons to dictate the tempo for three quarters. With some solid veteran big men available, both PJ Brown and Chris Webber were mentioned after the game by various reporters, it will be interesting to see if the organization continues to entrust the 5 spot to Perkins and the rookie Davis. I would like them to look at a guy like Hakim Warrick, a forgotten man in Memphis whose length would be great to have defending on the perimeter while providing above the rim energy the team lacks.
Other then that, there just is not much to complain about with this team now at 29-3.
The Bobcats come to town Wednesday seeking to revenge Ray Allen’s improbable last second shot that defeated them in November. Jordan’s crew has overhauled the offense in recent weeks, as the versatile (and Healthy) Gerald Wallace/Jason Richardson combination has taken full control from Emeka Okafor and Raymond Felton. It will be interesting to see how Charlotte approaches the Celtics without trying to establish an inside game. The C’s have struggled against the more athletic teams (Memphis, Cleveland, Jason Maxiell, Toronto, Utah) this year.
I won't be watching 60 minutes tonight now that Clemans will be testifying before congress. If that guy has the stones to lie to congress on National TV, then I will tip my cap to him. It is one thing to lie, but to make the lie so entrenched in every fiber of your being, ala Barry Bonds, is to commit to living without a past, to be a pariya in an interconnected world. Those who fabricate their own past and present tend to be unable to exist in the reality the rest us to, damning their future. As millionaires, that shipped sailed long ago. However, overtime they become diluted souls the rest of us openly mock (see Mike Tyson, Micheal Jackson) and take joy in seeing fall (See Mike Vick, Britney Spears). Now, I have long believed that the use of perfomance enhancing drugs is done by the majority of athletes in every sport and thus has no impact other then in the indivdual numbers. To vilify the juciers is to live in a dream world. Lets face it, They are who we thought they were! It is like watching "The Perfect Storm" and hoping George Clooney's character survives in the end. We watch sports for the drama on the field, not the stuff that happens beyond the light of the cameras. But to live a lie is to give up ones free will. It is that prison, the prison of the mind, that clemans, bonds, and the rest can enjoy for decades to come. That is why the truth will set you free and make you millions, ...............just ask Canseco...
Now to get back to feeling happy...here you go... Glory Glory Man United!
Strength and Honor
It was a virtuoso performance by Davis, who despite seeing major time off the bench early in the season had seen some of his PT usurped by Planet Pollard in recent weeks. Davis’s energy and girth was too unorthodox for the combination of Pistons giants down low. The skilled Davis’s ability to finish around the basket led to two incredible three point plays in the final minutes to secure a victory. Coupled by the scrappy play of Captain Paul Pierce (19,9,and 7), the Celtics were able to rebound from KG’s early foul trouble. While it was another difficult game for Ray Allen (9 points), the performance by Davis will also continue to call into question the play of Kendrick Perkins.
Perkins sparked the Celtics with 6 quick points on night, but only scored one point the rest of the entire game. His predictable moves, lack of energy above the rim, and KG’s foul trouble allowed the Pistons to dictate the tempo for three quarters. With some solid veteran big men available, both PJ Brown and Chris Webber were mentioned after the game by various reporters, it will be interesting to see if the organization continues to entrust the 5 spot to Perkins and the rookie Davis. I would like them to look at a guy like Hakim Warrick, a forgotten man in Memphis whose length would be great to have defending on the perimeter while providing above the rim energy the team lacks.
Other then that, there just is not much to complain about with this team now at 29-3.
The Bobcats come to town Wednesday seeking to revenge Ray Allen’s improbable last second shot that defeated them in November. Jordan’s crew has overhauled the offense in recent weeks, as the versatile (and Healthy) Gerald Wallace/Jason Richardson combination has taken full control from Emeka Okafor and Raymond Felton. It will be interesting to see how Charlotte approaches the Celtics without trying to establish an inside game. The C’s have struggled against the more athletic teams (Memphis, Cleveland, Jason Maxiell, Toronto, Utah) this year.
A Special Coda by The Dude
I won't be watching 60 minutes tonight now that Clemans will be testifying before congress. If that guy has the stones to lie to congress on National TV, then I will tip my cap to him. It is one thing to lie, but to make the lie so entrenched in every fiber of your being, ala Barry Bonds, is to commit to living without a past, to be a pariya in an interconnected world. Those who fabricate their own past and present tend to be unable to exist in the reality the rest us to, damning their future. As millionaires, that shipped sailed long ago. However, overtime they become diluted souls the rest of us openly mock (see Mike Tyson, Micheal Jackson) and take joy in seeing fall (See Mike Vick, Britney Spears). Now, I have long believed that the use of perfomance enhancing drugs is done by the majority of athletes in every sport and thus has no impact other then in the indivdual numbers. To vilify the juciers is to live in a dream world. Lets face it, They are who we thought they were! It is like watching "The Perfect Storm" and hoping George Clooney's character survives in the end. We watch sports for the drama on the field, not the stuff that happens beyond the light of the cameras. But to live a lie is to give up ones free will. It is that prison, the prison of the mind, that clemans, bonds, and the rest can enjoy for decades to come. That is why the truth will set you free and make you millions, ...............just ask Canseco...
Now to get back to feeling happy...here you go... Glory Glory Man United!
Strength and Honor
Friday, January 4, 2008
It’s Back
Why no posts lately? No vitriol. New England is the center of the sports universe. It is like every Bob Marley song came true and a blissful utopia emerged. Baseball is still 7 weeks away, the Celtics have only three losses and the Pats went 16-0 during the regular season. With the Pats enjoying the Playoff bye, the C’s have taken center stage. Then I found it.
In the late 1980’s I was coming into my own. I discovered professional sports and rap music in 1987 and two things became clear to me. The first was that my relationship with the police was forever altered by Public Enemy. The second was that I was convinced the Detroit Pistons were Satan’s favorite basketball team. They played anti-basketball.
Now that the Celtics are climbing to the top of the NBA Mountain the Pistons have quickly become a focus of tension for me. A handful of years ago a new look Pistons squad revitalized the Eastern Conference with a very team orientated style of play. It helped that Rip Hamilton was traded to Detroit and became a fixture. However, under the surface a general dislike bubbled. There is also another irrefutable fact, Detroit is Detroit, whether it is 1987 or 2004, or 2008.
The rise of the Celtics led to a great game last month that the Pistons won on a savvy play by former Celtic Chauncey Billups with under 1 second left, nullifying a great Celtics comeback. Thus, Saturday night’s game at the Palace should be a good one. Look for Rajon Rondo to actually be playing late in the 4th quarter. I think Doc is more confident in the lad’s play recently. The Pistons versatility trumps the C’s, but not if Doc decides to extend the bench to include Davis, Scal, and Leon Powe to wear down the Wallace, J-Max, Delfino combination. I think this is a game Planet Pollard should see 7 minutes of play and foul out. If the C’s turn it into a slugfest, and Ray Allen can rebound from a horrid Friday night, I actually think the Celtics can prevail because they have more shooters. The Truth, the Allen’s, House, Posey, and Scal butcher the Pistons from down town. Like the Pats, the C’s are a finesse team that can win really ugly. It is the mark of a truly good team. With that said, Doc will probably want Rondo to push the ball and run the Pistons ragged. Ray Allen is the X Factor, as is coming out of halftime with some fire. It killed us last month.
Enjoy the game. It should be fun, if not an opportunity to start really hating the Pistons again.
Strength and Honor
In the late 1980’s I was coming into my own. I discovered professional sports and rap music in 1987 and two things became clear to me. The first was that my relationship with the police was forever altered by Public Enemy. The second was that I was convinced the Detroit Pistons were Satan’s favorite basketball team. They played anti-basketball.
Now that the Celtics are climbing to the top of the NBA Mountain the Pistons have quickly become a focus of tension for me. A handful of years ago a new look Pistons squad revitalized the Eastern Conference with a very team orientated style of play. It helped that Rip Hamilton was traded to Detroit and became a fixture. However, under the surface a general dislike bubbled. There is also another irrefutable fact, Detroit is Detroit, whether it is 1987 or 2004, or 2008.
The rise of the Celtics led to a great game last month that the Pistons won on a savvy play by former Celtic Chauncey Billups with under 1 second left, nullifying a great Celtics comeback. Thus, Saturday night’s game at the Palace should be a good one. Look for Rajon Rondo to actually be playing late in the 4th quarter. I think Doc is more confident in the lad’s play recently. The Pistons versatility trumps the C’s, but not if Doc decides to extend the bench to include Davis, Scal, and Leon Powe to wear down the Wallace, J-Max, Delfino combination. I think this is a game Planet Pollard should see 7 minutes of play and foul out. If the C’s turn it into a slugfest, and Ray Allen can rebound from a horrid Friday night, I actually think the Celtics can prevail because they have more shooters. The Truth, the Allen’s, House, Posey, and Scal butcher the Pistons from down town. Like the Pats, the C’s are a finesse team that can win really ugly. It is the mark of a truly good team. With that said, Doc will probably want Rondo to push the ball and run the Pistons ragged. Ray Allen is the X Factor, as is coming out of halftime with some fire. It killed us last month.
Enjoy the game. It should be fun, if not an opportunity to start really hating the Pistons again.
Strength and Honor
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Threat Level Midnight
'Beware the fury of a patient man.' - John Dryden
One thing was learned Saturday night at the C’s preseason game at the The Sun, NBA super stars look great in casual Jay Petermen-esque sport jackets and relaxed fit jeans. They should have made an announcement "Fans,....Prepare for Boredom!!"
Other observations
The fact KG and The Truth did not play destroyed the night and made everyone recognize the need for these guys to stay healthy all season long. It was worse then hearing the words “Staring Stephen Baldwin”
The existence of the Gold Club-Groton has certainly increased the levels of Ho’s and Ho Wannabes in South Eastern CT 10 fold. I love it. I also don't live there...
The best part of the evening was the announcement of J.D. Drew’s grand slam. The place erupted. It was torture sitting there, watching the likes of Willie Green torch the shotty defense of Eddie House, thinking about what was happening at Fenway.
It is tough to be recognizable. I was sitting in the first row of people who had not officially pimped for The Sun could sit. It was about 7 feet from the court. Thus, the likes of Mike Gorman, Tommy Heinsoln, and Greg Dickerson were constantly walking passed me throughout the evening. They were often yelled at by the people in the stands for autographs or the effervescent “Where Gary?” To my knowledge nobody yelled anything to Ryan Rusillo.
Glen Davis is less a basketball player and more a Mack truck. If he somehow looses 40 pounds he could be the second coming of Anthony Mason. But that is a huge “if”. And notice how I didn’t say Charles Oakley.
You have not lived until you have watched the MLB playoffs and played the ponies with the degenerates at the Sports Book. It was like being the king of an island made of cigarette butts. Simply awesome.
Quick Comment on Joe Torre
It was interesting that Torre and the Ellen Dog Situation(The most ridiculous story in decades to get wall to wall coverage) got more pub then the veto of increases to the S-chip program (Husky B in CT). It was most interesting that somehow people thought the Yankees organization would handle the situation better then to offer 1 year at a pay cut. You inbred negative stereotypical pauns for Mass Media Conglomerates, trix are for pimpin. The only way this was ever going to end was with Torre trying to take the high road. It was funny how he only needed about 2 seconds to do it.
Friday night saw a nice victory by the UConn Football Huskies over the once powerful Cardinals of Louisville. I gave up on this game on three separate occasions during the evening. It was good to see them eventually rise to the level of a team ready to make the jump. They still have some huge games coming up, but it was a nice first step, especially coming off a terrible 1 point loss.
The Miami Dolphins are currently an abomination.
As for the Sox, all you can say is “Game 7”. It is all hands on deck. Win or GFY.
One thing was learned Saturday night at the C’s preseason game at the The Sun, NBA super stars look great in casual Jay Petermen-esque sport jackets and relaxed fit jeans. They should have made an announcement "Fans,....Prepare for Boredom!!"
Other observations
The fact KG and The Truth did not play destroyed the night and made everyone recognize the need for these guys to stay healthy all season long. It was worse then hearing the words “Staring Stephen Baldwin”
The existence of the Gold Club-Groton has certainly increased the levels of Ho’s and Ho Wannabes in South Eastern CT 10 fold. I love it. I also don't live there...
The best part of the evening was the announcement of J.D. Drew’s grand slam. The place erupted. It was torture sitting there, watching the likes of Willie Green torch the shotty defense of Eddie House, thinking about what was happening at Fenway.
It is tough to be recognizable. I was sitting in the first row of people who had not officially pimped for The Sun could sit. It was about 7 feet from the court. Thus, the likes of Mike Gorman, Tommy Heinsoln, and Greg Dickerson were constantly walking passed me throughout the evening. They were often yelled at by the people in the stands for autographs or the effervescent “Where Gary?” To my knowledge nobody yelled anything to Ryan Rusillo.
Glen Davis is less a basketball player and more a Mack truck. If he somehow looses 40 pounds he could be the second coming of Anthony Mason. But that is a huge “if”. And notice how I didn’t say Charles Oakley.
You have not lived until you have watched the MLB playoffs and played the ponies with the degenerates at the Sports Book. It was like being the king of an island made of cigarette butts. Simply awesome.
Quick Comment on Joe Torre
It was interesting that Torre and the Ellen Dog Situation(The most ridiculous story in decades to get wall to wall coverage) got more pub then the veto of increases to the S-chip program (Husky B in CT). It was most interesting that somehow people thought the Yankees organization would handle the situation better then to offer 1 year at a pay cut. You inbred negative stereotypical pauns for Mass Media Conglomerates, trix are for pimpin. The only way this was ever going to end was with Torre trying to take the high road. It was funny how he only needed about 2 seconds to do it.
Friday night saw a nice victory by the UConn Football Huskies over the once powerful Cardinals of Louisville. I gave up on this game on three separate occasions during the evening. It was good to see them eventually rise to the level of a team ready to make the jump. They still have some huge games coming up, but it was a nice first step, especially coming off a terrible 1 point loss.
The Miami Dolphins are currently an abomination.
As for the Sox, all you can say is “Game 7”. It is all hands on deck. Win or GFY.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Sports Fans…PREPARE FOR GLORY!......
AS the Summer Turns...
About a week ago I had resigned myself to the idea that I would not be playing Fantasy Football this year. After 12 years, the practice seemed to be getting old. This correlated to my annual attempt to forget about my fascistic love of sports and become an even more enlightened person.
And just when I thought I was out….They pull me right back in.
Today the nation saw the Boston Celtics take a huge step in returning to the Promised Land with the acquisition of Kevin Garnett. The move vaults the team to the top three of the Eastern Conference. That said, the team still needs to continue to build. A veteran point guard and low post presence will be essential if the team is to lift the Larry O’Brian Trophy 10 months from now. The team will have to jell, but a tremendous amount of excitement is in the air. I am confident the addition of an all-time great in KG and one of the great shooters in history in Ray Allen will make The Truth an even better player. I fear Rondo is not ready, but he has 2 months to figure it out.
While losing CT’s own Ryan Gomes came as a surprise, he is eligible for free agency soon and I would not count out him coming back. Either way….
The 2007/2008 Boston Celtics….Championship…..
At the exact same time, the lads from the Fens pulled off a deal that saw Eric Gagne come to New England to be a set up man for Johnny Paps. This is a huge deal, because Gagne has had a fine season and is one of the best in the game when healthy. The day also saw the Yankees; also in desperate need of relief pitching, give away their most used relief pitcher Scott Proctor for a 25 year old 3rd basemen. It may be time for Brian Cashman to matriculate at NYU, or ESCU.
The Sox now have the best pitching staff in all of baseball, as long as Schilling comes back healthy. Now all we need is the offense to explode.
The 2007 Boston Red Sox…..Championship……
The 2007/2008 edition of the New England Patriots are now in camp. Bill, Tom, Teddy, Troy, Richard, Vince, Rodney, Mike, Ben, Donte, Adailius, Mike G, Lawrence, Eugene, Rudy, and Randy. We still need an Asante on board, but…
The 2007/2008 New England Patriots…..Championship……...
The 2007/2008 Boston Bruins……3/4 ain’t bad…..
And oh yeah…….“P.Manning Dog Fights”…….….Championship….
About a week ago I had resigned myself to the idea that I would not be playing Fantasy Football this year. After 12 years, the practice seemed to be getting old. This correlated to my annual attempt to forget about my fascistic love of sports and become an even more enlightened person.
And just when I thought I was out….They pull me right back in.
Today the nation saw the Boston Celtics take a huge step in returning to the Promised Land with the acquisition of Kevin Garnett. The move vaults the team to the top three of the Eastern Conference. That said, the team still needs to continue to build. A veteran point guard and low post presence will be essential if the team is to lift the Larry O’Brian Trophy 10 months from now. The team will have to jell, but a tremendous amount of excitement is in the air. I am confident the addition of an all-time great in KG and one of the great shooters in history in Ray Allen will make The Truth an even better player. I fear Rondo is not ready, but he has 2 months to figure it out.
While losing CT’s own Ryan Gomes came as a surprise, he is eligible for free agency soon and I would not count out him coming back. Either way….
The 2007/2008 Boston Celtics….Championship…..
At the exact same time, the lads from the Fens pulled off a deal that saw Eric Gagne come to New England to be a set up man for Johnny Paps. This is a huge deal, because Gagne has had a fine season and is one of the best in the game when healthy. The day also saw the Yankees; also in desperate need of relief pitching, give away their most used relief pitcher Scott Proctor for a 25 year old 3rd basemen. It may be time for Brian Cashman to matriculate at NYU, or ESCU.
The Sox now have the best pitching staff in all of baseball, as long as Schilling comes back healthy. Now all we need is the offense to explode.
The 2007 Boston Red Sox…..Championship……
The 2007/2008 edition of the New England Patriots are now in camp. Bill, Tom, Teddy, Troy, Richard, Vince, Rodney, Mike, Ben, Donte, Adailius, Mike G, Lawrence, Eugene, Rudy, and Randy. We still need an Asante on board, but…
The 2007/2008 New England Patriots…..Championship……...
The 2007/2008 Boston Bruins……3/4 ain’t bad…..
And oh yeah…….“P.Manning Dog Fights”…….….Championship….
Friday, June 29, 2007
Good Grief........
The text messages started at 1:30 in the afternoon while I was discussing the draft with Jerome Williams, The Junk Yard Dog, at the National Basketball Hall of Fame. I told him I was convinced, based on Danny Ainge’s comments late Wednesday night that the Celtics would keep the player they picked at the number 5 position. He didn’t see it. “When there is smoke there is fire” he stated. Well, as always, I had forgotten to trust the nine year NBA veteran when a question about insane NBA decision making is on the table.
The text alerts from various media outlets each considered the distinct possibility of the Celtics again being involved in a draft day trade with a team from the Pacific Northwest. I was worried. Danny Ainge is not Scott Pioli or Bill Belichek. The time and effort the Celtics organization spends on scouting the draft far outweighs their ability to scout the other talent already in the league. It shows in their ability to make good trades.This is a known fact around the NBA. Just look at the team on the floor. Ainge drafted Al Jefferson, Rajon Rondo, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Tony Allen, and Kendrick Perkins. He also drafted Delonte West, a player whose smooth game and humble personality endeared him to fans across New England.
Players Ainge traded for? Raef Lafrentz, Jiri Welsh, Ricky Davis, Wally Szczerbiak, Michael Olowokandi, Sebastian Telfair, and Employee #8. Plus, he signed Brian Scalabrine…to play basketball! The only player that made a real impact was Employee # 8, after the organization had originally dealt him away to Dallas.
As I got into my car to begin the trek down to New York City, I got a bad feeling. I mean, I like Ray Allen. I think he is the best player to ever play for the University of Connecticut and is a seven time All Star. I met him a handful of summers ago over at Storrs. All the former UConn players came back to campus in the summer. He is a real good guy. He beat Rip Hamilton one on one that day, then we went to Subway. However, he will be 32 next month. It is like Danny Ainge thinks it is 1999, or believes NBA championships are won with aging shooting guards who don’t play defense.
By the time I was trapped in gridlock on 91, I was convinced the deal had been made. I was irritated. I needed a sign. So I went to Hooters.
I love chicken wings. They are the great equalizer of men. As it was getting late, I stayed to watch the draft at Hooters. It wasn't MSG, but I didn't have to pay 200 dollars to get in either. The place was packed, it was trivia night, the Draft was one the big screen, and Newington's best were on display. By 8:00 my fears had been realized. The Celtics traded the rights to the #5 pick (Jeff Green), Wally, and Delonte to the Sonics for Ray Allen and the rights to pick #35 (Glen Davis).
The only response I could muster? These Pretzels....are Making Me Thirsty………….
Hey, I had been to the Hall of Fame that very same day. They could just rename that place "A shrine to when the Celtics were the model franchise in Professional Sports". Now I was watching the team gamble on a guy who had surgery on both ankles like a month ago.
The irony was unbearable. To quote the Wu Tang Clan, "the combination made my eyes bleed."
During his interview with the ESPN guys, Doc Rivers actually looked like a broken man. He literally looked like he had been vomiting with the rest of us all night long. He spun the deal as a necessary way of getting some experience while making sure Paul Pierce was protected. Great. Grand.Fantastic.
The Boston media did try to make out like this could lead to another attempt at Kevin Garnett. On FSN and Weei, the discussion questioned if KG would reconsider Boston with two great scorers to team up with? We better hope so. If is doesn’t happen, the Celtics will give up more points then any other team in the league next year. It's like saying it is hot in the summer. You do not have to be Nostradamus to make that kind of statement.
If the team doesn’t produce on the floor, no amount of spin will save Ainge and Rivers on this one. They need to get KG, or hope Jefferson becomes KG next season. After months of speculation, this was a bizarre evening for the Boston Celtics and their fans. Kinda like this.
Thank goodness the Red Sox are in town and the Yankees are 11 games back.
The text alerts from various media outlets each considered the distinct possibility of the Celtics again being involved in a draft day trade with a team from the Pacific Northwest. I was worried. Danny Ainge is not Scott Pioli or Bill Belichek. The time and effort the Celtics organization spends on scouting the draft far outweighs their ability to scout the other talent already in the league. It shows in their ability to make good trades.This is a known fact around the NBA. Just look at the team on the floor. Ainge drafted Al Jefferson, Rajon Rondo, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Tony Allen, and Kendrick Perkins. He also drafted Delonte West, a player whose smooth game and humble personality endeared him to fans across New England.
Players Ainge traded for? Raef Lafrentz, Jiri Welsh, Ricky Davis, Wally Szczerbiak, Michael Olowokandi, Sebastian Telfair, and Employee #8. Plus, he signed Brian Scalabrine…to play basketball! The only player that made a real impact was Employee # 8, after the organization had originally dealt him away to Dallas.
As I got into my car to begin the trek down to New York City, I got a bad feeling. I mean, I like Ray Allen. I think he is the best player to ever play for the University of Connecticut and is a seven time All Star. I met him a handful of summers ago over at Storrs. All the former UConn players came back to campus in the summer. He is a real good guy. He beat Rip Hamilton one on one that day, then we went to Subway. However, he will be 32 next month. It is like Danny Ainge thinks it is 1999, or believes NBA championships are won with aging shooting guards who don’t play defense.
By the time I was trapped in gridlock on 91, I was convinced the deal had been made. I was irritated. I needed a sign. So I went to Hooters.
I love chicken wings. They are the great equalizer of men. As it was getting late, I stayed to watch the draft at Hooters. It wasn't MSG, but I didn't have to pay 200 dollars to get in either. The place was packed, it was trivia night, the Draft was one the big screen, and Newington's best were on display. By 8:00 my fears had been realized. The Celtics traded the rights to the #5 pick (Jeff Green), Wally, and Delonte to the Sonics for Ray Allen and the rights to pick #35 (Glen Davis).
The only response I could muster? These Pretzels....are Making Me Thirsty………….
Hey, I had been to the Hall of Fame that very same day. They could just rename that place "A shrine to when the Celtics were the model franchise in Professional Sports". Now I was watching the team gamble on a guy who had surgery on both ankles like a month ago.
The irony was unbearable. To quote the Wu Tang Clan, "the combination made my eyes bleed."
During his interview with the ESPN guys, Doc Rivers actually looked like a broken man. He literally looked like he had been vomiting with the rest of us all night long. He spun the deal as a necessary way of getting some experience while making sure Paul Pierce was protected. Great. Grand.Fantastic.
The Boston media did try to make out like this could lead to another attempt at Kevin Garnett. On FSN and Weei, the discussion questioned if KG would reconsider Boston with two great scorers to team up with? We better hope so. If is doesn’t happen, the Celtics will give up more points then any other team in the league next year. It's like saying it is hot in the summer. You do not have to be Nostradamus to make that kind of statement.
If the team doesn’t produce on the floor, no amount of spin will save Ainge and Rivers on this one. They need to get KG, or hope Jefferson becomes KG next season. After months of speculation, this was a bizarre evening for the Boston Celtics and their fans. Kinda like this.
Thank goodness the Red Sox are in town and the Yankees are 11 games back.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
