Oh, the Celtics

To paraphrase the beloved Shaggy, "Zoinks!" What in the world is up with the Celtics??? The three games series this past weekend was supposed to be a measuring stick, but the games proved that the Celtics were more or less the sticks in the mud. Really, guys, come on. What is going on here.

There seem to be a few problems, but you have to wonder if the problems are all correctable.

First, age is definitely creeping up to them. When the Second Big Three was first assembled, it was mentioned that year three could be a little dicey. Little did we know that they would be more like Dice K. Can't count on them to get out of the fourth quarter.

Second, you can tell the lingering injuries are still having their effect. Paul Pierce seems inconsistent. KG looks timid. And Ray looks like his legs are heavy or are bothering him.

Third, these guys look disinterested and distracted. They are having a hard time getting up for games and, when they do, they become distracted with the refs. Look, we know the NBA refs are equally incosistent (and that is being generous). But, comeone...Sheed and Perk are going to set a tandem record for most T's. Not good.

These guys can get it together, but truthfully, they are showing no signs that they can or will. It almost looks like they are checking out of the season, which is never a good thing. Let's hope in the next three weeks they can show some signs of change, or, otherwise, Danny might have to make some other arrangements.

What the Patriot's Need

Seems like everyone has an opinion on what the Patriots need to address in the offseason - some ideas are sensible and others are rather wild. But, he it is, plain and simple, the top five needs that the Pats have.

1. Third wide receiver - the Pats desperately need another receiver for the corps. With Wes Welker out for some time, the third receiver might actually become the second for awhile. While they got some good production late, this does need to be addressed. Signing a free agent and spending a pick in the draft is something they NEED to do.

2. Linebacker - surprise, surprise. Outside LBs are in desperate need here. This is the type of position Bill Belicheck likes to build through free agents....and there are a couple of nice ones out there that might fit.

3. D-Line - take out Richard Seymour and you have....hey... a whole. A big whole. Another good, D-lineman would be great. Look for the Pats to spend a high pick (1st or 2nd round) on this.

4. Offensive coordinator - wow, this place needs help, but looks like it can be fixed. Early in the season, the crew running the show looked like doubles for Dazed and Confused. But, as the season went on, before Welker went down, there were some signs of life. Tightening this crew up would be great. While some people like O'Brien, perhaps someone who has been here in the past and run the show would be helpful. Oh, wait...he signed in K.C.

5. Time - this is the biggest ally of the defense. Give it time. Remember, the D looked great in the early part of the year. McGowan, Guyton, Butler....lots of players made some plays. But, as several people said, young guys make mistakes. And, they also get tired; and they also get "found out" by other teams. which was definitely evident in the second half. Give them time to mature and they will be fine!!!

Nothing Bruin

Now, of the four major sports, the one I follow a little less than the others is the Bruins. Not that I don't enjoy a good hockey tussel now and again, it is just that I have grown accostumed to the vagaries of life as a Bruin fan. I have learned that being a Bruin fan is being much like and NBA fan prior to the new Celtics regime...just have to watch the last two minutes. Same with the Bruins....all you need to do is check in for the last 20 games and that's all you need.

The B's may seem like they are in a free fall...but in reality, they are really showing their true identity at the moment. They are a collection of guys that have been hurt and, just when they get started, they have to get to know each other again because someone else is hurt. Case in point - how many team go through three centers or sign a guy that is 35 and hasn't played the entire year. That is a recipe for a lottery team.

Oh sure, the B's have disappointed, but let's look at why our hopes from last year were let down - not poor play (though they surely can do better at scoring), but lack of cohesion. If they could ever get the entire group back for a solid 15 to 20 games, then, THEN, we can make an assessment.

So for all of you who liken them to a Sunday morning over forty league, or think they should trade Dennis Wideman, or hope they trade a high pick for a Kovalev type player, hold off a bit. This might turn out to be a forgottable season...but it is not lost. There's lots of reason to hope for the future....and they just might catch lightning in a bottle.

Come NBA get it right

Wow, what is the world coming to. Rasheed Wallace gets slammed again for $30,000 for criticizing the refs! C'mon NBA get, it right. While the R man could use a little help and learning to lay off the lather, the amount you are fining the man is ridiculous. Granted R should know how to tame his tongue, but his comments are getting at a finer point. The refs this year have had a few ignominious at best moments where their skill (and, no, not their sympathy) needs to come into question. Far be it from Sheed or Doc to comment, they'll have you say, but let's face it. There is to referee watch dog system and, when it comes to the NBA, they are like the big brother who rushes off to face the bully for their little brother...when half the time its the little brother who is sparking trouble in the first place. Hey, the refs got a tough job and these guys do it right most of the time...but there are times when they, too, need to be watched and critiqued just like the players are.

And, while we're on it, kudos for the roundball league for telling the Celtics that the refs blew the calls against the Hawks. We need more of that.

Bravo NBA

Long time, no chat. I finally got back to my blog. Phew. But, I am hear to harp on something near and dear to my heart. Did you see what happened to Doc Rivers the other day??? That fine he got for arguing a call - whether or not he said a no-no probably should be moot at this point - is still intact, but the NBA called and apologized for the flagrant 2 they called on Glen Davis.

First, kudos to the NBA. With the way that the leagues have been cracking down - in some cases ridiculously so - it is great to see the league call and say it was wrong. Well done. Indeed, the call that night was hideous by fans standpoint and simply plain wrong by an NBA standpoint. Good job calling it back.

However Doc is still steaming and I don't blame him. David Stern...you gotta take back the fine as well (and my guess is they will reduce it). Can't give a fine and say, "hey, bad call, but you shouldn't have complained."). NBA, do the right thing.

Now,while we are on the subject, I heard couple media guys on one of the sportsnets mention that Doc can't get T-d and then complain when Rasheed gets T-d. Come on, guys....Doc is the coach. It is his job to stand up for the players....and argue for them. Let the players play and Doc should do he complaining. And, the guy rarely complains like he did against the Hawks. The refs should have listened