Friday, June 27, 2008

"With the 30th Pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, the Celtics take...A Risk"


In the hopes of getting value late in the NBA Draft, GM Danny Ainge and the World Champions took a bit of a leap with their 1st round pick. At No. 30, the Celtics selected 6' 5" Guard J.R. Giddens from New Mexico. Giddens is a great athlete who is a good defender with big 'hops' and a nice mid-range jumper. Unfortunately, he also comes with baggage. Along with Kedrick Perkins and Leon Powe, Giddens was a High School All-American in 2003 but transfered from Kansas when he got stabbed in a knife fight at at local club (something he'll have in common with Paul Pierce). At New Mexico he started off on the wrong foot too, before getting his act together for his Senior year.

Save those "Walker" Celtics jerseys because in the 2nd round the Celts traded cash to the Wizzards for Kansas State 6' 6" Forward Bill Walker. Walker is also a great athlete and an active scorer around the rim. He plays much bigger than his size but he is coming off a couple of knee injuries that could handicap him in the NBA.

At the end of the 2nd round Boston claimed 7' 1" Semih Erden from Turkey. The Celts finally got their Center, but unfortunately he is a project that will probably be stuck in Turkey for a couple of years and thus won't benefit from the tutelage of KG.

On talent alone Giddens and Walker could have been lottery picks but injuries and off-court issues make these picks a bit of a gamble. Fortunately, the Celts have a veteran team and a winning atmosphere, so if these guys can't flourish here then they will never be able to do it anywhere in the NBA. Also, if the Celtics lose James Posey and Tony Allen to free agency then Giddens and Walker could provide needed depth for the team. Ainge may not have 1st round magic but he is definitely a 2nd round genius, so we'll have to see how this draft pans out.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Notes from the Coast:

Bartolo Colon strained his back while taking a batting swing in Inter-League play last week, but like Josh Beckett in Spring Training, Colon's back problem probably has a lot to do with his front. Afterall, he is 5'11 and 245 lbs and the Celtics' Big Baby is 6'9 and only 44 lbs heavier than Colon! Now that Curt Schilling is lost for the year, someone may need to show Bartolo how to do a few sit-ups to insure he stays in the rotation.


  • Celts GM Danny Ainge won't taking a vacation anytime soon because this Thursday will be the last NBA Draft in which the Celts have a first round pick for awhile and it may be important to get a decent player, not project, who can learn how to win from the 'Big 3' while they're still around.
  • The Red Sox nearly lost only their second 3 game series at home in 6 years when the St. Louis Cardinals took 2 out of 3 in Inter-League play over the weekend. As the injuries and losses pile up, this is a good time for GM Theo Epstein to scope out what the team will need down the stretch before the trade deadline.
  • The Boston Bruins could be on the rise. With the help of former players like Cam Neely and Don Sweeney, the B's seem to be defining, uncovering, and stock-piling Bruin-like players in the NHL draft and free agency. My prediction is that they will return again to the Stanley Cup Finals in my Grandmother's lifetime...she is still their biggest fan.
  • One last note on the NBA Finals. In commercials, radio stations around LA are congratulating the Western Conference Champion Lakers with end-tag "Wait until Byum gets back!". For the record, even though Andrew Bynum did average 13 pts/10 rebs in 35 games last year, in the two regular season games against the Celtics he only had 12 points & 11 rebounds combined.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

U-b-u-n-t-u = CHAMPS!

Ironically on June 17, 2008 the Boston Celtics finally won World Championship Banner #17 after blowing out the Los Angeles Lakers 131-92 in Game 6. On June 19, 1986 Len Bias died, now 22 years later to the day, the Celtics will have their victory parade. The curse has finally been lifted and now Celts' legend Arnold 'Red' Aurebach can rest peacefully because Phil Jackson won't be passing him for most championships won by a coach.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

"Don't Cry for Me Slovenia"

The key move at the end of Game 4 by Celtic Ray Allen...


And the reaction by Faker Sasha Vujacic...

Friday, June 13, 2008

A Comeback for the ages in Game 4!!!


After a 24 point deficit in the first half and injuries to Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo, Coach Doc Rivers was 'forced' to use his bench in the second half the way he did during the Celts' 66 win season and the result was the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history!

Using a small line-up featuring Eddie House and James Posey (Yes, the same one we've been begging Doc to use since late April.), the Celts spread the floor on offense and jammed the passing lanes on defense on their way to an improbable 97-91 comeback win in Game 5. What a roller coaster ride! Hell, I had to watch it by myself but couldn't even turn the TV sound back on until the last minute of the game. Like a scene in 'Indiana Jones', it seemed the Celts reached in and pulled out the Lakers' proverbial heart while it was still beating in the 3rd quarter and then basically stomped on it at the end of the game.

Boston is now up 3-1 on the Lakers and no team has won the NBA Title after being down that much. Whether the Celts win it on Father's Day in LA or back in Boston, they have 3 chances to win one game and get their 17th NBA Championship against their historic rivals.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Muchas Gracias Minnesota


As I watched Randy Moss taking in the Celtics victory and rooting on his buddy Kevin Garnett at the Garden the other night, I couldn't help but think how much Moss, KG, and David Ortiz have in common. They all began their professional careers and became famous in Minnesota, yet they are all ending their careers and achieving legendary status in Boston.

David Ortiz was 'David Arias' when he began his career with the Minnesota Twins in 1997. The affable First Baseman was a decent hitter and average fielder but he never could hit for power at the Metrodome, so the Twins released him. The Red Sox quickly claimed him off waivers and with a new name and a power swing suited for Fenway, 'Big Papi' has led the Sox to 2 World Series titles while becoming an ambassador for Boston baseball a long the way.

Kevin Garnett was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves out of High School in 1995 and achieved great personal success by winning the League MVP and numerous All Star appearances but he couldn't bring his team a Championship. He wanted to join a winner before his career was over but had no interest in going to Boston until they traded for Ray Allen. In his first season with Boston, he won the Defensive Player of the Year Award and led the Celtics to the biggest turnaround in NBA history and to the NBA Finals.

Before Randy Moss resurrected his career with the New England Patriots he was a young star drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 1998. Under the tutelage of fellow Receiver Chris Carter he achieved success early in career only to go astray. He left the Vikings and then had more altercations with the Oakland Raiders before being traded to the Patriots. Now paired with Tom Brady, Moss has become a solid citizen and a team player all while breaking the single season TD record and leading the Patriots to the SuperBowl.

So as New Englanders enjoy the unprecedented success of our local sports teams, we should be thankful to our friends to the North for breaking in KG, Moss, and 'Big Papi'. For without their past growth experience in Minnesota, our sports stars may not be all that super for Boston fans today.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Celtics 'Powe'-r through to win in Game 2

Led by Leon Powe's 21 points in 15 minutes, the Celts hung on for a 108-102 victory to go up 2-0 in the Finals. Now the teams head to Los Angeles for 3 games and the pressure is squarely on the Lakers. LA has to win 3 in a row at home or be forced to win the final 2 games of the series in Boston.

Even though the team that won the first game of the last 5 Finals between LA and Boston has gone on to lose the series, the Celtics are undefeated in NBA Finals when leading 2-0 while the Lakers have never won a Championship after being down 0-2 in the Finals.


Saturday, June 7, 2008

Long Live Gino Time!

In memory of Joe Massoni a.k.a. 'Gino' (1956-1990). The mascot, and at times inspiration, for the 2008 Boston Celtics' Championship run. Gone from this world but still alive and well on the Celtics' Jumbotron.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

NBA Finals: Why the Celtics will win

  • The Celtics finally broke through and logged a playoff road victory after they beat the Pistons twice in Detroit
  • Ray Allen has finally come out of his shooting slump and averaged 17.5 ppg in the Piston's series
  • The Lakers' team defense isn't as strong as Detroit and they don't have anyone to match-up defensively with Paul Pierce
  • Rajon Rondo will be more effective and Eddie House will be able to play more in the Finals because the Lakers do not pressure the ballhandler
  • Home-court advantage


And why the Celtics could lose...

  • Ray Allen, KG, and Paul Pierce have never been in the NBA Finals
  • Phil Jackson is a much better coach than Doc Rivers and has used his bench more effectively in the playoffs, so the Lakers' rotation is tested and ready
  • Kobe Bryant has Finals experience, knows how to win, and isn't afraid to come up big in the clutch
  • Tony Allen is Boston's best defender but hasn't played much in the playoffs and now has a sore achilles tendon
  • Kendrick Perkins gets in a lot of foul trouble and may struggle to defend Pau Gasol and the Triangle offense

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Let the Games Begin!

Unlike the earlier rounds which are played in a 2-2-1-1-1 format, the NBA Finals are played in a 2-3-2 format, meaning the team with home-court advantage hosts games 1, 2, 6 and 7, and their opponent hosts games 3, 4 and 5. That said, it seems like it would be a lot easier to win 2 in a row at home, than 3 in a row, so the pressure could be on the Lakers. With the home-court advantage and the cross-country travel factored in, this could favor the Celtics.

Game 1: Thursday, June 5 -- @ Boston (9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST on ABC)
Game 2: Sunday, June 8 -- @ Boston (9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST on ABC)
Game 3: Tuesday, June 10 -- @ Los Angeles (9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST on ABC)
Game 4: Thursday, June 12 -- @ Los Angeles (9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST on ABC)
Game 5: Sunday, June 15 -- @ Los Angeles (9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST on ABC)
Game 6: Tuesday, June 17 -- @ Boston (9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST on ABC)
Game 7: Thursday, June 19 --@ Boston (9 p.m. EST/ 6 p.m. on ABC)

Stolen Moments

The Celtics are 2-1 underdogs against the Lakers in this year's NBA Finals, but if history is any indication, there still may be a little magic left in the Celtics run this year. James Posey's game saving steal against the Pistons last series brought back memories of other key steals that helped the Celtics achieve play-off success.

1965 Eastern Conference Finals (Game 7)

  • In the closing seconds of the game, the Celts lost the ball out of bounds. Philadelphia had the ball under their own basket with a chance to win the game when "Havlicek stole the ball!" from Hal Greer. The Celts win and then go on to defeat Lakers in the Finals 4-1.

1984 NBA Finals (Game 2)

  • With the Lakers holding a 115-113 lead with 18 seconds left, James Worthy's pass to Byron Scott is picked by Gerald Henderson, who travels down the court for an easy layup. The game is sent to overtime, where the Celtics pull out a 124-121 win. The Celts defeat the Lakers 4-3 to win the Championship.

1987 Eastern Conference Finals (Game 5)

  • Boston is trailing by 1 when Larry Bird steals Isiah Thomas' pass intended for Bill Laimbeer. He passes to DJ for the game-winning basket with seconds left. The aging Celts go on to defeat Detroit 4-3 and make it to the Finals for the last time before 2008 but lose to the Lakers 4-2.

2008 Eastern Conference Finals (Game 6)

  • With 1:35 left and the Celts holding on to a slim lead over the Pistons, James Posey comes from behind and picks the ball out of Tayshaun Prince's hands and passes it to Paul Pierce. Pierce seals the victory with 2 free throws and the Celts head to the NBA Finals for the first time in 21 years.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Stay Classy Boston

Sure you may hear a random "Yankees Suck" chant emanating from Red Sox Nation (whether or not a New York team is within 1000 miles), but unlike a majority of Sox fans, Celtics fans have set the standard of class for NBA fans throughout the league.

The 'Beat LA' mantra started in 1982, when the Philadelphia 76'ers were on the verge of beating the Celtics in Game 7 at the Garden and advancing to play the Lakers in the title game. Suddenly Boston fans started chanting "Beat LA-Beat LA" at the end of the game. Maybe it was a bi-product of years of success or just a healthy respect for karma but bitterness never entered the closing minutes of the hard fought series. At the time, Boston was the defending NBA Champs and the Sixers were the Celts' biggest rivalry but the Boston fans sent their foes off to the NBA Finals with style befitting the organization. Other teams, like the Detroit Pistons, have chosen to show an uglier side in such a moment. When Michael Jordan and the Bulls finally got past the Pistons to advance to the NBA Finals, Isiah Thomas and the rest of the Pistons opted to head to the locker room before the end of the game instead of congratulating the Bulls' players.

So go ahead and call Boston fans 'bedraggled' Phil Jackson. Go ahead Derek Fischer and disrespect the accomplishments of the Celtics' organization claiming "it happened before you were born, so you don't care." You won't hear Doc Rivers calling LA fans 'fair-weathered' nor Ray Allen pointing out that 5 of the 14 Laker Championships occurred when they were in Minneapolis. You won't hear Celtics fans and players ripping the Lakers, because with winning comes responsibility, and with responsibility comes class. In case you need some pointers, just ask Jerry West.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Celtics vs. Lakers: Tale of the Tape

The top two franchises in NBA history, as well as, the top two teams this year face-off in the 2008 NBA Finals. Here's how they matched-up in 2008 and over the years...

2008 Regular Season
  • Record: Celtics 66-16 <=> Lakers 57-25
  • Points Per Game: Celtics 100.5 <=> Lakers 108.6
  • Points Allowed Per Game: Celtics 90.3 <=> Lakers 101.3
  • Head-to-Head: Celtics 2 <=> Lakers 0
2008 Play-Offs
  • Record: Celtics 12-8 <=> Lakers 12-3
  • Points Per Game: Celtics 91.6 <=> Lakers 105.9
  • Points Allowed Per Game: Celtics 87.3 <=> Lakers 99.5
All-Time
  • Total NBA Finals: Celtics 20 <=> Lakers 29
  • Total NBA Championships: Celtics 16 <=> Lakers 14
  • Finals Head-to-Head: Celtics 8 <=> Lakers 2
  • NBA Top 50 Players: Celtics 10 <=> Lakers 8

Sunday, June 1, 2008

It's Just Manny Making History!

Manny Ramirez finally became the 24th player to join the 500-home run club last night in Baltimore, but Manny also joined an even smaller fraternity.
He is now only the 7th player in baseball history with 500 homers, 1,500 RBIs, 1,000 walks, 475 doubles and a .300 batting average. The only others are Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Mel Ott, Babe Ruth, Frank Thomas, and Ted Williams.