NBA. It should be the No Brainer Association. Instead, it feels like the No Brain Association.
Yup! The David Stern show is at it again. Following the wake of the ridiculous double technical foul calls in the last Celtics game by Ed Rush, the NBA showed its true colors. It had the opportunity to make better a situation already deemed tenuous at best in the opinion of hoop fans - the influence of officials on games. The league has a huge PR problem with fans, media, and players alike. The officials throughout the league seem to have too much of an influence on games. Tim Donaghy aside - and THAT situation truly hurt their image - the refs in the series really have caused some trouble throughout the years. Now, I don't blame Ed Rush - in fact he look downright sorry for calling the 2nd tech - but clearer heads prevail. We are in a league that still has refs that have had altercations with players (ironically Joe Crawford, who also reffed last game and T'd up Rondo on a weak - weak - weak call) and have made terrible calls (case in point, Bennett Salvatore, who reffed last nights Phoenix - LA game who once called an offensive foul on Larry Bird who drove to the basket and broke his nose crashing into a Denver player).
Something is needed. The NBA could have made it better. Sure, it might have made Ed Rush's decision look even weaker - perhaps even made his officiating look meek - but they could have made it better. The slip of an elbow that hit Gortat; the grumbly walkaway. Neither deserved a tech. Both got one.
And the NBA has the chance to overrule both. They played it safe, and cowardly. Overturn one bad one...not both bad ones (and to make it worse, they picked the poorest of the two to overturn).
The NBA had a chance to step in; to show whose boss; to fix the officiating.
No brainer???
Not for this NBA.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Red Sox Getting Ready
Okay, call me an optimist.
Sure, the Sox have had their share of blahhhhs this year. But, I think they might be on the trail of something. And, it might not be so bad after all.
Now, this team might not be in the playoffs this year, but watch what will happen in the next month.
First, expect the starting pitching to round into form. Sure enough, Clay Bucholz is here to stay. His 3.38 and 5 - 3 record are proof enough. But, Lester and Lackey will be rounding into form as well. Look for Dice K to be traded by July to a team that can afford him with something good in return. Beckett and Wake will round out the quintet....which will be a nice rotation for the next four years.
Watch this hitting. Third in the AL. Got great slugging. Hey, some of us thought that having hitters in all spots would help this team, unlike last year. Hopefully Martinez gets it going soon. But, look for Ellsbury and Cameron to add a lift..and with ellsbury on the bases, this offense could become 1 or 2 in the AL really quickly. I love Lowell - and would rather him stay - but perhaps for his own good we can trade him for a good pen guy (or at least a serviceable one).
This will be the year to retool the pen. The Okajima and Ramirez experiments may have to come to an end. It may be time to bring up one or two young horses from the minors and let them build up for next year. With two recruits, Bard, Delcarmen, and Papelbon, we might be able to make some waves to help us to next year.
This year is definitely all about the next four years. Keep afloat. Sign the starters and get them right. Add a bit of pop to the lineup and get ready to see a few young ones come up soon. Then, get this bullpen set.
Soon, I think, we will see some changes....and it will be for the exciting!!!
Sure, the Sox have had their share of blahhhhs this year. But, I think they might be on the trail of something. And, it might not be so bad after all.
Now, this team might not be in the playoffs this year, but watch what will happen in the next month.
First, expect the starting pitching to round into form. Sure enough, Clay Bucholz is here to stay. His 3.38 and 5 - 3 record are proof enough. But, Lester and Lackey will be rounding into form as well. Look for Dice K to be traded by July to a team that can afford him with something good in return. Beckett and Wake will round out the quintet....which will be a nice rotation for the next four years.
Watch this hitting. Third in the AL. Got great slugging. Hey, some of us thought that having hitters in all spots would help this team, unlike last year. Hopefully Martinez gets it going soon. But, look for Ellsbury and Cameron to add a lift..and with ellsbury on the bases, this offense could become 1 or 2 in the AL really quickly. I love Lowell - and would rather him stay - but perhaps for his own good we can trade him for a good pen guy (or at least a serviceable one).
This will be the year to retool the pen. The Okajima and Ramirez experiments may have to come to an end. It may be time to bring up one or two young horses from the minors and let them build up for next year. With two recruits, Bard, Delcarmen, and Papelbon, we might be able to make some waves to help us to next year.
This year is definitely all about the next four years. Keep afloat. Sign the starters and get them right. Add a bit of pop to the lineup and get ready to see a few young ones come up soon. Then, get this bullpen set.
Soon, I think, we will see some changes....and it will be for the exciting!!!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Loose Ends
Public embarrassment. Humiliating. Epic Failure. These are just a few of the words that can be used to describe the Bruins utter self destruction after being up 3 -0 to the Flyers. Yes, it is true. They let us down. They disappointed. They – simply – stunk. HOWEVER, during the past five days of mourning, people have been ready to destroy this team. Come on people. You have to remember something. First of all, we didn’t expect much. We let our hopes get up….which is never good in Boston when you have a so-so team. And, most importantly, this team is going to be markedly better next year. Number 2 draft pick. Krecjl, Sturm, and Savard back healthy. Another year of playoff experience. For those gloom and doomers, just remember that they have a long run ahead of them. And, for those who remember, just think Red Sox, following 2003. People don’t remember that as much as they could because of 2004!
Wes Welker offered a glimmer of optimism to fans who are worried about the Pats receiving corp. By suggesting that the MCL was able to heal on its on – perhaps stronger – should help some fans realize that he just might be back next year. Most often, surgeries on ACLs tend to heal quicker then the double surgery. While he is still a long way off, it sounds like he is working hard and trying his best to make it back next season. This should definitely alleviate fans who know the team needs more than a tandem of Moss, Edelman, Price, Patten, and Holt (which is not a terrible corp is one more person is added).
Red Sox. Looks like it is going to be a bridge year. The offense is starting to click, but this epic pitching they got appears to be a false bill of goods. Sure, time will help….but they need more than that. They need quality, and fast. Not sure if it will come from this team or from the farm. But, if the Sox stagger by mid June, expect some people to be shipped out and some of the young blood to make it up. The bumper crop of Inglesias, Anderson, and Sanchez may truly bolster the hitting and some of the pitching prospects are putting it together, too. May not be such a bad bridge year after all.
Hey, Revs…lets get it in gear, okay!!!
Wes Welker offered a glimmer of optimism to fans who are worried about the Pats receiving corp. By suggesting that the MCL was able to heal on its on – perhaps stronger – should help some fans realize that he just might be back next year. Most often, surgeries on ACLs tend to heal quicker then the double surgery. While he is still a long way off, it sounds like he is working hard and trying his best to make it back next season. This should definitely alleviate fans who know the team needs more than a tandem of Moss, Edelman, Price, Patten, and Holt (which is not a terrible corp is one more person is added).
Red Sox. Looks like it is going to be a bridge year. The offense is starting to click, but this epic pitching they got appears to be a false bill of goods. Sure, time will help….but they need more than that. They need quality, and fast. Not sure if it will come from this team or from the farm. But, if the Sox stagger by mid June, expect some people to be shipped out and some of the young blood to make it up. The bumper crop of Inglesias, Anderson, and Sanchez may truly bolster the hitting and some of the pitching prospects are putting it together, too. May not be such a bad bridge year after all.
Hey, Revs…lets get it in gear, okay!!!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Congratulations Celtics
Admit it. During most of this season, you were a doubter. Worried. Discouraged. Wondering what type of team Danny put together. Like most fans, you followed the team in green, knew they had the talent, but didn't think they could do much in the postseason.
Well, it is still early to do much celebrating, but the Celtics indeed have done something in the offseason. First and foremost, they have proved most of America wrong. They are not an old, has been team. They are not past prime. And, no they do not lack for athleticism. For all who doubted Doc and Danny when they said this team would get it together for the playoffs, that giving them rest was important...well doubt no more.
The Celtics are back. Of this there is no doubt. After their dominating performance against the Heat, they served notice that maybe these legs aren't too seasoned after all. Their defense clicked. Their bench took form. And the play making of Rajon helped bolster the team.
Okay, round one. Some experts doubted they'd win. But, most people thought they would.
So, case two - the second round. Most people believed they would be trounced by the Cavs. They had the best player (guess who). They were faster and more athletic - JJ Hickson and Varajeo. They had a deeper team.
But, the Celtics we saw this past series had make the whole league take notice. Those who thought the Cavs would win in 6 or 7 - and there were many - who proven incorrect. In the process, Lebron and his whereabouts next year became the story....not so much the Celtics.
The dismantling of the Cavs was done with smart play, excellent playmaking, great teamwork, a solid 9 man rotation, and a renewed effort to defense. With the exception of game 3, this was seem in every game...which as a far cry from the regular season. With three successive wins over the Cavs, the Celtics showed exactly who they were.
They may not be a surprise now...but they shouldn't be. They are the Celtics team that we envisioned early in the year, with a circa 2009 big three. They got something to give...and something to prove. Bring on the Magic, guys....they have some making up to do for last year.
Go Celtics
And, a quick shout out to the Bruins. As I am typing this, you guys brought your game so far tonight, in game 7 of the Philly game. B's are up 3 to 1....nice work, men.....ooops, spoke too soon....now its 3 to 2
Well, it is still early to do much celebrating, but the Celtics indeed have done something in the offseason. First and foremost, they have proved most of America wrong. They are not an old, has been team. They are not past prime. And, no they do not lack for athleticism. For all who doubted Doc and Danny when they said this team would get it together for the playoffs, that giving them rest was important...well doubt no more.
The Celtics are back. Of this there is no doubt. After their dominating performance against the Heat, they served notice that maybe these legs aren't too seasoned after all. Their defense clicked. Their bench took form. And the play making of Rajon helped bolster the team.
Okay, round one. Some experts doubted they'd win. But, most people thought they would.
So, case two - the second round. Most people believed they would be trounced by the Cavs. They had the best player (guess who). They were faster and more athletic - JJ Hickson and Varajeo. They had a deeper team.
But, the Celtics we saw this past series had make the whole league take notice. Those who thought the Cavs would win in 6 or 7 - and there were many - who proven incorrect. In the process, Lebron and his whereabouts next year became the story....not so much the Celtics.
The dismantling of the Cavs was done with smart play, excellent playmaking, great teamwork, a solid 9 man rotation, and a renewed effort to defense. With the exception of game 3, this was seem in every game...which as a far cry from the regular season. With three successive wins over the Cavs, the Celtics showed exactly who they were.
They may not be a surprise now...but they shouldn't be. They are the Celtics team that we envisioned early in the year, with a circa 2009 big three. They got something to give...and something to prove. Bring on the Magic, guys....they have some making up to do for last year.
Go Celtics
And, a quick shout out to the Bruins. As I am typing this, you guys brought your game so far tonight, in game 7 of the Philly game. B's are up 3 to 1....nice work, men.....ooops, spoke too soon....now its 3 to 2
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Special Trifecta
Wow! It is not often that we have days like this. May 3, 2010 was the special trifecta in Boston sports. A day when three teams won - won important games - and won big in their own way.
First, kudos to the Boston Celtics. Most people had written them off, and certainly no one believed they could win Game 2 after blowing a lead in game one. Special thanks to Rasheed Wallace, who finally showed up for a big game and showed what he could do. And, how about Rondo. He is blazing his own Cousian path with this team, which has to make you stop and think!!!
Next, the Bruins may not be big, but the definitely aren't bad....they are getting pretty good in fact. Great game all around. Solid goaltending, good checking, great action. And, special thanks to Milan Lucic for finally showing up, too. Good work.
And, way to go Red Sox. Most people had put them into an early grave for the year. But, they came out swinging....literally. Not to be outdone on this wonderful sports evening, the scored - gulp - enough runs to have won all three games in Baltimore....17. Zoinks. While it still may be a "bridge year," the bridge looked covered for at least one day.
Ahhh, who knows what the future holds. But, for one magical night, the sports zenith called Boston put on quite a show. Thanks so much guys in green, gold, and red!
First, kudos to the Boston Celtics. Most people had written them off, and certainly no one believed they could win Game 2 after blowing a lead in game one. Special thanks to Rasheed Wallace, who finally showed up for a big game and showed what he could do. And, how about Rondo. He is blazing his own Cousian path with this team, which has to make you stop and think!!!
Next, the Bruins may not be big, but the definitely aren't bad....they are getting pretty good in fact. Great game all around. Solid goaltending, good checking, great action. And, special thanks to Milan Lucic for finally showing up, too. Good work.
And, way to go Red Sox. Most people had put them into an early grave for the year. But, they came out swinging....literally. Not to be outdone on this wonderful sports evening, the scored - gulp - enough runs to have won all three games in Baltimore....17. Zoinks. While it still may be a "bridge year," the bridge looked covered for at least one day.
Ahhh, who knows what the future holds. But, for one magical night, the sports zenith called Boston put on quite a show. Thanks so much guys in green, gold, and red!
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