10 things about the playoffs so far

1) That Toddlin Town

Before commenting on anything else I have a few choice words on the Chicago series and to the wonderful basketball fans of that great metropolitan area: QUIT WHINING! (You bunch of babies.)

It was a fantastic series of historic splendor marred only by your constant sniffling about referee bias and rough play by those terribly mean Celtics. Boo-freakin'-hoo. The Bulls played great. They lost. The refs didn't beat your team; the Celtics did.

I can see why they call Chicago "the whiny city."


2) Now Orlando

Not to be outdone, the good residents of the Magic Kingdom seem to wish to repeat this unseemly whimpering.

Last night Orlando outshot Boston from the free throw line 37 to 25; the refs called early fouls on Paul Pierce effectively taking him out of the game; and many Magic followers complain about bias FOR the Celtics?

Stop right now before you stoop all the way down to Chicago level.


3) Crazy Old Rafer

Admit it, you were surprised Rafer Alston made it through six quarters without doing something completely insane. Then WHAP! he smacks Eddie House on the noggin after a basket, filmed from five different angles, for no reason, accomplishing nothing, and possibly getting himself suspended.

What took him so long?


5) Scal

Nothing makes the loss of Kevin Garnett and Leon Powe easy to swallow but Scal is doing all he can. With Scalabrine in the rotation, the holes in the defense are sealed. Plus he's knocking down some shots.

You know I was a critic of signing Scal way back when but now I see what Danny was doing. I'm sorry Scal. You're the man. I apologize. What was I thinking?


6) Rondo

All season long you've read comments from the national legion of dumbness saying: "Rondo only gets his stats because of Garnett." "Rondo's a scrub." "Calderon's better that Rondo." "Duhon's as good as Rondo." "Rondo wouldn't be anything on another team." ...and so on.

I do not believe I have ever seen a player open a larger can of Shut Up. All that talk of Rondo not being able to play has been replaced by pure hatred of him...

...and in the world of basketball fandom isn't seething hatred the biggest compliment of all?


7) An Announcing Oddity

I've noticed in these playoffs that many members of the media, particularly announcers on ESPN and TNT have taken to using the phrase, "Scoring The Basketball," as in "Ray Allen's really scoring the basketball tonight."

Even in an increasingly confusing world, I find this phrase a real stumper. It's kinda redundant isnt' it? Scoring the basketball? Is there something else you could put through the net to get points in this sport?


8) Midseason Acquisitions

Last year it was Sam and PJ. This year it's Mikki and Steph. Both years it's been a mixed bag.

Marbury's starting to contribute, but Moore hasn't done well enough and has lost his spot in a decimated rotation already down two big men. There's still time for him to turn it around but he's not looking good so far.


9) Garnett

The big fella still hasn't had his operation and yesterday on WEEI Danny Ainge once again stated there's a small chance Garnett could return if the Celtics make it to the Conference Finals or maybe the final Finals.

From Bill Doyle in the Worcester Telegram: "Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge told WEEI yesterday Garnett might be able to play if the team reaches the Eastern Conference finals or the NBA Finals, but he wasn't counting on it because Garnett still is limping. Ainge said Garnett's return would be based on how much pain he could withstand. The decision would be up to him and the team doctor."

Hmm. I don't know what to think...

Wait, yes I do: GO SCAL!


10) Seeds Of Hope

It's kind of a shame the Celtics couldn't have somehow gotten the number one seed, because the Magic might have been able to take out Cleveland giving the Celtics a downward slope to the final Finals. Still the Cavs earned their favorable road.

I do know this though: The Celtics are not done yet. There are eight teams left and Boston is one of them. As long as they're alive there's hope.