Red Sox/Yankees

Just as Red Sox Nation is about to commit suicide, what do they do? In 24 hours they drive home 24 runs against the Yanks, that's what they do! Much maligned, Edgar Reneteria, has like a 100 hits in two days, and the whole team wakes up. Oh yeah, and David Wells shuts down his old team.

Red Sox Nation, relax, you have over 4 months left.

Troy Brown Re-signs With Patriots

The Patriots announced that Troy Brown agreed to terms with the New England Patriots bringing him back for atleast one more year. Has there ever been a Patriot more beloved by his organization than Troy Brown?! Even though his skills have diminished and there is an overload of wide receivers, nonetheless he is a winner and a leader in the words of coach Bill Belichick. He's the prototypical character guy.

Welcome back Troy!

Pierce for “?”

Well, now that the season is officially over for our beloved Celtics, it’s time to play GM with this team. As you know by now, all roads lead to the inquiry, “What can we get for Paul Pierce?”

Myself, I’d be inclined to trade him in the right deal. He is a terrific talent who has gotten a bit weirder with age and seems to dislike the leadership placed on him by being the captain of the team. You also have to ask yourself this question, “As constituted with Paul Pierce, can this team go any farther next year?” I say no. Therefore, here are a few possibilities that are approved by the NBA's collective bargaining agreement regarding contracts and the cap:

1. Pierce to the Lakers for Kobe Bryant. This would be a biggie! But hear me out. Kobe is from the East Coast; Paul is from LA. Both teams will go no farther with these players. Both players are similar as 2 guards that can do it all. Maybe both just need a change of scenery. I think it would also make the NBA one interesting place next year if these guys swap coastlines. In addition, their salaries match up.
   
2. Pierce to the Sixers along with Marcus Banks for Allen Iverson. Again, both teams going nowhere as constituted. The Celts would get a Red Auerbach favorite in Iverson, a tough leader, do it all point guard and, Philly would get some much needed scoring in Pierce.
   
3. Pierce and Ricky Davis to Minnesota for Kevin Garnett. Minnesota is going nowhere and they’d have Pierce as a small forward and Davis as a two guard. They won’t resign Sprewell and they can move Sczerbiak for more size. As for Boston, how would you like Al Jefferson starting alongside Kevin Garnett next year? They can always sign a two guard like a Jimmy Jackson that can be a steady producer for them.
   
4. A “sign and trade” with Seattle: Pierce for Ray Allen. Pierce has a better all around game, but Allen has it more together mentally and certainly can score.
   

Just some ideas I was kicking around as the summer season begins in the NBA. I say bring in Kobe and let’s start a new Celtic/Laker rivalry while we’re at it!

Celtic 2004-2005 Roster Review

Tony Allen-Maybe I'm the only one who sees a poor man's Ron Artest in this guy. He’s a very athletic guy who needs to hone his game. Could be trade bait this off-season.

Marcus Banks-Well the little guy finally showed me something in the playoffs. He can defend and he can move. What he doesn’t do is make smart decisions with the ball. He may be your starter next year and he just as easily could be traded.

Mark Blount-I don’t care what Danny Ainge says, this guy took the big money and went south. By playoff time he was on the bench permanently. He makes the Statue of Liberty appear mobile. They'll try to trade him but with his big salary, not likely.

Ricky Davis-This guy was arguably their most consistent player last year. Was terrific off the bench and won many a game for them. At 25 and low salary, he's a steal for them and also makes good trade bait. Personally, I hope he's back.

Al Jefferson- Here is the man they will build around. He’s their best low post player since McHale and Maxwell and he’s only 20. Did I mention he has a great attitude and was truly terrific against Indian? His presence will almost undoubtedly spell the real end for Toine here.

Raef Lafrentz- He finally stayed healthy and gave the Celts some key minutes. More of a bench guy than a starter, he too has an untradeable contract.

Gary Payton-He gave the Celts a veteran presence all year long but come playoff time, he looked like Dennis Johnson at the end. He was someone who came in and slowed the game down to a standstill. He’s a free agent who needs to move on.

Kendrick Perkins- This youngster showed something his second year. To me, a millennium version of Greg Kite at best but we'll know more this year.

Paul Pierce-One of the most talented guys in the league hands down. As Bob Ryan of “The Boston Globe” said, “Now, what about Pierce? He is the team's most skilled offensive player, he is perhaps the best rebounding two guard in the league, and he can do things no one else on the team can do. But he has gotten just plain weird. Can anyone get to him to see just what his problem is? He started the season in a funk and he ended it with that ludicrous display in Game 6 and a dud of a Game 7. How far can a team go if he is its best player? That's a very serious question?" All I can add is what I said yesterday, maybe time to shake up the stars; Pierce for Kobe?

Justin Reed- A bench player at best this year maybe he'll see more time next year. Really an incomplete.

Antoine Walker- Well the second coming of Toine brought them a more composed Paul Pierce, a first place finish, and some serious interest. As Bob Ryan also notes, "All his strengths and liabilities were on display in this series. He remains a curiously unathletic player whose lift, never great, almost completely has disappeared at age 28. Against most teams, he is at the offensive mercy of his 3-pointer and his funky in-between game. He is still a good rebounder and still should be an effective passer. Then there's the whole locker room lightning rod business I now realize has some merit. But what is the monetary worth of this package? Most people say $6 million annually, tops. It will be interesting to see if Antoine is one of those people." Me thinks we have seen the last of Walker, again.

Delonte West-As Peter May says, "The Celtics do really love this kid. He is nerveless on the floor and that is big for a point guard, not to mention a rookie. He also has a decent outside shot and, for his size, is an excellent rebounder. He had a lot of big moments for the team and you have to think he's in the plans for a lot more playing time next season." I think we are going to see much more of Delonte West next year. It wouldn’t surprise me if he were starting at point guard next year. He and Jefferson will be a big part of their future plans.

Celts Routed In Game 7

The Celts bowed out in game 7 at home to Indiana in a rout, losing by 27 points. Being a Celtic fan since the mid 70's, it is quite a disappointment to see the millennium edition of the Celtics bow out so pathetically. This is what will ALWAYS separate the superstars of yesterday like Bird and McHale and Russell from the wannabes of today like Pierce and Walker. Game 7 at home, where you are the better team, no excuse for losing by 27 points.

As for next year, personally I think the guy to build around is 20 year old Al Jefferson who may be the best true low post player they’ve had since Kevin McHale and Cedric Maxwell; this kid has it all together and will be a star within 3 years. On Pierce, I’m not sure whether they should move him or not. He truly is a gifted player and scorer but, as a veteran captain of this team, he just doesn’t act like a mature player and instead he’s acting out, pouting and having an attitude. If you move him, you NEED a superstar back, period. Pierce to the Lakers for Kobe? Just throwing that out there. As for Walker, it was his presence that made Pierce a better player and elevated the Celts into the playoffs. And yes, he won game 6 in overtime for them. But once again, for the most part, he did what he seems to do in every playoff game, choke under pressure. I may keep him anyways if at the right price. As for the rest of the crew, I’d let Gary Payton walk and if at all possible, I’d trade Mark Blount to ANYONE that will take his huge contract and “laissez faire” approach towards basketball. The rest of the guys are the young ones they will build around like Delonte West and Marcus Banks. And kudos to the job Doc Rivers did this year getting the youngsters and veterans to blend together. However, all in all, unless the "star" core of this team is reconfigured via trade, this team will not go any farther next year as constituted.

Celts Win Game 6 In OT

FROM BOB RYAN IN TODAY'S BOSTON GLOBE:
"This has been a Celtics playoff series like no other, and that is the understatement of the new millennium. We had enough crazy stuff go on in Games 1-5, what with the blowouts and the responses and road victories and all, but last night we entered a hoop twilight zone in a game that featured the single most unforgivable, untimely, stupid, and flat-out selfish on-court act in the history of the Celtics."

What can I say? When you count the Celts out, they win! It’s as simple as that.

This has been a very entertaining series between the young upstart Celts and the wily Pacers. Each team has won 2 of its 3 games in the opponent’s arena, and keeping to form, the Celts hung on for an overtime 92-89 win in Indiana.

Again, versus re-describing the game, here are some observations from the couch:

Pierce had a great game, but talk about stupid thinking. As Bill Parcells would say, taking a flagrant foul and being ejected at the end of the game became about him, and not the team. He could’ve wrapped up the game and instead allowed Indiana to tie it and send it into overtime without his services. This is what separates the Birds and Magics from these starts of today. Otherwise, it was a great game.

Antoine Walker can’t make a layup but hits the craziest shots and in fact won it for them in overtime.

And Al Jefferson is going to be a huge star in this league. He had a monster game for a kid out of high school. He had 11 points and 14 rebounds in 29 minutes. When he fills out and becomes a man, you may be looking at the next Karl Malone.

And finally, if they want to win a home game and win the series, they need to maintain the same defensive tenacity they did last night, no ifs ands or buts. All in all, wither way, a most entertaining series.

Celts Lose Home Advantage

Last night the Celts laid another egg at home to Indiana losing 90-85 to the Ron Artest-less Pacers. After regaining home advantage with a convincing win in game 4 in Indiana, once again they came out flat and played catch up all night.

Just a few observations:
Reacquiring Antoine Walker during the year rejuvenated this team and Pierce, but he continues to never step up big in playoff games dating all the way back to the eggs he laid going up against Kenyon Martin.

Gary Payton is done, period. It’s painful watching this guy crawl the ball up the floor. It’s time to hand it over to Banks or Delonte West. The 80's Celtics acquired DJ after they had no guard to defend Andrew Toney. This team lacks leadership and the only guy that comes to mind is Jason Kidd, to me. And imagine this team with a low post player. Till these things happen: same story - different year with this roster.