More Support For Horse

In recapping his trip to Phoenix for All-Star weekend, Craig Kwasniewski of the association says the following:

"Thumbs down to the crowd control for H-O-R-S-E. Look, I wanted to see it... and so did most of the fans in downtown Phoenix. There was a buzz about the return to an old-school favorite but having very limited seats in the smallish All-Star Block Party killed any chance of me seeing it (lines to get in were around the block). The NBA clearly underestimated the interest of the fans for it."

We said earlier this week that HORSE seemed like a blast, and appeared to be the kind of event that would translate well to the big arena on Saturday night. This quote offers support to my movement to replace the skills challenge with HORSE. It would be the ultimate warm up for the three point and slam dunk contests.





Unfortunately, Craig also wrote a post on February 2nd in which he dismisses the notion that Andrew Bynum's knee injury was karma biting him for what he did to Gerald Wallace, and then senselessly lashes out at Kendrick Perkins and what he calls "the front running KG-Celtics Era". To be honest, I feel like Bynum's elbow to Gerald Wallace and what Perk did to Jason Maxiell in Detroit were pretty similar. I find both to be in a different category than what David West did to Mike Miller, which was clearly not basketball.


I don't understand all the hatred for the Celtics that's out there, particularly from those who seem to want to vilify KG. How could you not love KG? It's not just because he's a Celtic....I had nothing but respect for the way he played while he was in Minnesota. The NBA is all about personality, and there is not a more passionate and exciting player in the league. This is one of the good guys. I just don't get it.




As for Perk, he does need to be more mindful of his propensity for technical fouls. But, I think there is far too little appreciation for how integral he is to the success of the Celtics. He has shut down the league's best centers, including holding Dwight Howard to ten points below his season average both times they have squared off this season. He is one of the most underrated defenders in the league, and his ability to hold down the paint allows much more range for Garnett. He has made great improvements on both ends of the floor since he began with the Celtics, and everyone associated with the team says he has an incredible work ethic. He is an enforcer. There's no question about that. But, that is essential to a team that prides itself on physical play.


Still the greatest album of all time: