1. Baby and the Kid
The kid in the white shirt did establish position, but had both feet out of bounds so it wasn't a charge. It's a no-call.
2. Baby and the Rising Level of Play
Remember all the people who wanted to trade, cut, or otherwise harm Big Baby when he played poorly the first part of the season? I'll say this again: Never judge a player when he's injured or out of shape (unless he's like Eddie Curry and never gets into shape).
3. Baby and the Shot
We've watched as his jumper has gone from unreliable, to spotty, to decent, to good, and now to STONE COLD CLUTCH. Good things happen when you practice a lot. That was a bolt of lightning straight from the cradle to Orlando's grave!
4. Pierce and the Pass
Remember it was only a few years ago when every end of game shot was Pierce against the world? No more. Paul drew the double, expertly hit the open infant, and crushed the spirit of the southern sorcerers.
5. Sam Jones
I always wondered why Sam was hardly ever around at any Celtic events all these decades. From Dan Shaughnessy's column in today's Globe: "According to Jones, he only has been to Boston twice since hanging 'em up after the 1969 championship season. "I came back for Red," said Jones, 75, who lives less than two hours from the Orlando arena. "I never go any place unless I'm invited and I haven't been invited."
Also: "Celtics coach Doc Rivers requested an audience with Jones outside the locker room before the game. "He's one of the few Celtics that I hadn't met," said Rivers. "It was pretty cool."
Huh. Somebody send Sam some invitations.
6. How Unlikely
The Celtics just beat the Magic after getting a total of 2 points from their bench, on the road, with no Garnett, no Powe, Perkins hurting, Ray Allen not shooting well, and Paul Pierce out for a critical period in the second half with foul trouble. Now that's magic!
7. Grape Fermenters
I am finding the incessant whining about referee bias in favor of Boston very irritating. (I'm talking to you, you Florida vintners!) Yes the Celtics got a break on the non-goaltend against Rondo. But a red hot Pierce was unfairly put on the bench with phantom fouls. If that doesn't happen one or two calls mean nothing- Boston wins easily and doesn't need Big Baby's heroics.
Here the undeniable nugget: If the refs favor Boston, they don't keep putting Paul Pierce on the bench. Also the foul calls and free throws would be lopsided in Boston's favor, which they are not.
8. Unlikely Wins
I would have bet everything (not that I ever bet anything) that Boston/Houston twin victories would not happen yesterday. The two most injury decimated teams in the playoffs came up huge and gave hope to all that believe in liberty, humanity, justice, and a morally sound universe.
9. Speaking of Magic
About twenty years ago I was in the inland mountain region of the island of Bali where the people are strong believers in magic. On parting, a Balinese friend gave me a special ring with a big dark stone which he said contained powerful magic. (He additionally said I should never wear it while using the bathroom or the magic would disappear.)
Yesterday I was going through some drawers and found the ring. I put it on for the first time since the 80's and wore it while watching the game.... I just wanted you to know why the Celtics really won: The magic ring beat the Magic.
10. On We Go
Back to Boston. Two out of three. The Celtics limp but they live!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
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.
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.
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