Perhaps I spoke too soon yesterday. This is why it's important to enjoy these championships when they come. Playoff Preview will be up either tonight or tomorrow. Needless to say, all my predictions need to be reconsidered.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Doc Says KG To Miss Playoffs
Perhaps I spoke too soon yesterday. This is why it's important to enjoy these championships when they come. Playoff Preview will be up either tonight or tomorrow. Needless to say, all my predictions need to be reconsidered.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Sleep With One Eye Open.
From Ferrante today:
"I love that people are sleeping on the Celts. Think about it, this team went 14-7 without KG, that’s a 67% winning percentage and translates to 55 wins over a whole regular season. Plus that includes mostly no Tony Allen and no Scalabrine (at all), 12 games without Leon, and a few games without Big Baby. If this team can win 2/3 of its games without its most important player and a host of its frontcourt out, then they are capable of big things when everyone is in the game. Plus I really think Marbury has gotten a lot better and Mikki Moore can be effective playing if people get in foul trouble, etc."
And, let us not forget that included in that 14-7 KGless stretch was an 11 point victory over the Cavaliers.
Let us also not forget that there were 2 close losses (Utah and Orlando) that the Celtics most likely would have won had they had full access to KG's services.
Perhaps I should be more concerned about KG's health, but I'm not. I realize that there are a lot of miles on that knee. But, the guy is a world-class athlete, and I just have a hard time believing that a knee strain is the end result of his long, intense career. It doesn't fit. If he blew it out, or something was broken or torn, then maybe I'd question his ability to get back to his old self. But, I just think people are being paranoid about this.
Think back to when the Cs started the season 27-2. If I told you back then that KG would miss more than a quarter of the season, and that Tony Allen, Glen Davis, Leon Powe, and Scal would all miss significant time (not terribly significant in Big Baby's case), what would you have put their win total at? Probably right around 50. And yet, they have managed to win over 60 games. If you're sleeping on this team, then you're crazy.
A more extensive playoff preview to come.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Rose vs. Beasley Revisited
One of the more heated debates at Room of Zen was before the 2008 draft about whether the Bulls should take Derrick Rose or Michael Beasley. I think it is fair to say that round one of this ongoing debate goes to us in the Rose camp, and decisively so. I will pick on Larocque here because he was the most outspoken proponent of Beasley, but after watching them both play in the NBA, I simply cannot foresee Beasley ever being considered a better player than Rose. I won't go into the stats analysis because they are both rookies, but anybody who watched Rose play saw a future superstar who can drive by anybody in the league and will be lethal when he develops a consistent jump shot. After seeing Beasley play, I will be surprised if he lives up to the potential of Elton Brand, who was the player I compared him to at the time. At least Brand tries on defense sometimes. I saw Beasley play a handful of times and he seemed to simply not care at the defensive end of the court. He is a great scorer, but plays the kind of defense that will kill his team. I don't want to go into detail on this and the argument is far from over, but round one goes to team Rose. Here is a link that highlights how Rose was clearly the best rookie this year:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=ROY-0809
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=ROY-0809
Monday, April 13, 2009
Billy Bob Thornton...Lets Get Awkward
This takes the cake for most awkward interview of 2009. Far more awkward than LaRocque and I watching a Celtics-Jazz game while attempting to podcast...however, we are planning a three part interview of Stratton this summer touching on the French Revolution.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Embrace the Long Weekend: Where My Blood Type Becomes Busch Light
There's a lot to look forward this weekend. I guess there is good friday tomorrow, which is convenient since there will also be my bachelor party and Dwayne Wade is coming to town. I will make up for my sins by wearing sandals for the entire day. And, as if that wasn't enough, the C's make a crucial trip to Cleveland on Easter Sunday for an afternoon showdown with LeBron. It's fucking great to be alive people.
If they're smart, they will listen to this song repeatedly in this format on the bus ride to Cleveland (bus ride to Cleveland? flight to Cleveland? Who knows these days) :
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Howard Stern Interview With Russell Brand from March
I meant to post this a few weeks ago, so I apologize if you've already heard it. Russell Brand (the rockstar boyfriend who humps chess pieces in forgetting Sarah Marshall) did a long interview with Howard Stern on March 10th. I saw it four days later at a friend's house on Howard TV. It is, without question, one of the best pieces of radio I've ever heard. The guy is hilarious, and his story is one that you don't hear everyday.
If you get a chance, I recommend pouring yourself a stiff drink and giving it a listen. There are three parts. I've put them in order, because I'm a nice guy.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Phillies, Eagles, and Comic Books
I’m excited to be posting on ROZ - Its been too long, but the Phillies just played a disappointing home opener and its approaching that time of year when all Eagles fans are struck by the realization that – no, the administration will not address those gaping holes that have been staring at us for years now and there is no way that the draft could possibly round out the team the way they would have us believe, even if Andy Reid didn’t have the inconsistent-at-best draft history that he does. This is the time of the year that more often than not, regardless of World Championship ring ceremonies, has Philadelphia fans caught between frenzies excitement and hard-earned cynicism.
What can we expect this year from the Phillies? It is promising, most of the roster is returning, the absence of Pat Burrell really doesn’t have anyone too concerned and the level of excitement in the city is higher than it has ever been in my life time. Nonetheless, I anticipate a slow start, it has been something of an M.O. for Charlie Manuel and the Phillies. My concerns right now are not so much for the team – and here’s that cynicism creeping in – but that the franchise will get lazy. More games will be sold out, the days of dirt cheap standing room and upper level seats may be numbered. When tickets still sell, chamionships are less vital, the Eagles have gotten good at the game and I hope it doesn’t rub off on their neighbors.
I’ll segue into the Eagles from here. Either we will find out that DeSean Jackson has developed in leaps and bounds into a completely legitimate number one receiver or we will likely find Andy Reid still trying to convince (and himself) that his system can win without a number one receiver which is so obviously untrue it can be painful. It is never a good sign when your team’s biggest offseason event is the loss of a free agent but again, this is par for the course. I know losing Dawkins may not impact the team hugely in terms of performance, but I can’t help but think of all those bad-ass (and sometimes cheap) shots he would take at just the right time, getting the defense to rally around him. This type of aggressive leadership is something that Donovan has never been able to display and we could miss it sorely
Finally, I like to promote awesome stuff from the non-sports end of the entertainment world on this blog. I will try to avoid boring our readers with too much of my comic book nerdiness but it feels appropriate to introduce people to Warren Ellis’s Transmetropolitan. Vertigo just republished the first six issues in one volume and it absolutely rules! It fits right in with the overarching thing of cynicism that runs throughout this post, following the exploits of Spider Jerusalem, a Hunter Thompson influenced journalist, in a dark excessive dystopian future. It is full of satirical humor, drugs, and violence, all expressed through the fine artwork of Darick Robertson. At one point Spider fires a bowel-disrupting gun at the president of the United States, and at another he makes a eavesdropping priest vomit just by talking! You won’t regret checking it out.
What can we expect this year from the Phillies? It is promising, most of the roster is returning, the absence of Pat Burrell really doesn’t have anyone too concerned and the level of excitement in the city is higher than it has ever been in my life time. Nonetheless, I anticipate a slow start, it has been something of an M.O. for Charlie Manuel and the Phillies. My concerns right now are not so much for the team – and here’s that cynicism creeping in – but that the franchise will get lazy. More games will be sold out, the days of dirt cheap standing room and upper level seats may be numbered. When tickets still sell, chamionships are less vital, the Eagles have gotten good at the game and I hope it doesn’t rub off on their neighbors.
I’ll segue into the Eagles from here. Either we will find out that DeSean Jackson has developed in leaps and bounds into a completely legitimate number one receiver or we will likely find Andy Reid still trying to convince (and himself) that his system can win without a number one receiver which is so obviously untrue it can be painful. It is never a good sign when your team’s biggest offseason event is the loss of a free agent but again, this is par for the course. I know losing Dawkins may not impact the team hugely in terms of performance, but I can’t help but think of all those bad-ass (and sometimes cheap) shots he would take at just the right time, getting the defense to rally around him. This type of aggressive leadership is something that Donovan has never been able to display and we could miss it sorely
Finally, I like to promote awesome stuff from the non-sports end of the entertainment world on this blog. I will try to avoid boring our readers with too much of my comic book nerdiness but it feels appropriate to introduce people to Warren Ellis’s Transmetropolitan. Vertigo just republished the first six issues in one volume and it absolutely rules! It fits right in with the overarching thing of cynicism that runs throughout this post, following the exploits of Spider Jerusalem, a Hunter Thompson influenced journalist, in a dark excessive dystopian future. It is full of satirical humor, drugs, and violence, all expressed through the fine artwork of Darick Robertson. At one point Spider fires a bowel-disrupting gun at the president of the United States, and at another he makes a eavesdropping priest vomit just by talking! You won’t regret checking it out.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Windell Middlebrooks on Adam Carolla Podcast
Friday's episode of the Adam Carolla Podcast features Carolla interviewing Windell Middlebrooks, who is easily the funniest man on television. It's great to hear that he's got big things on the horizon (starring with Carolla in a movie). If you don't recognize the name, you just need to know that he starred in the best commercial of Super Bowl 43:
In fact, he's so good that he starred in about 15 commercials that would have been the second best commercial of Super Bowl 43 if they had been aired:
The part when he rolls the truck window up is classic:
Not to get off topic, but here is a great Bud Light commercial that was apparently not allowed to air in 2007. I thought this was America!!!
In fact, he's so good that he starred in about 15 commercials that would have been the second best commercial of Super Bowl 43 if they had been aired:
The part when he rolls the truck window up is classic:
Not to get off topic, but here is a great Bud Light commercial that was apparently not allowed to air in 2007. I thought this was America!!!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
I Hate College Basketball.
Congratulations to Michigan State. I won't watch them play on Monday night, but certainly they have what it takes to beat anybody. More importantly, congratulations to Jeff Adrien and Craig Austrie on outstanding college careers. This hurts more than Syracuse in '03 and George Mason in '06 because those were younger teams. Seeing Adrien and Austrie stopped short in their final campaign is tough to swallow.
This is especially tough when you consider what might have been with a healthy Jerome Dyson:
Reilly on Thabeet
I generally can't stand Rick Reilly. Really, it's rare for me to find an article by him that I like. And, usually I only like those articles because they pertain to a team or player that I am particularly fond of. So, I'm well aware that those of you who are not UCONN fans may hate his most recent article about Hasheem Thabeet, but I like it.
I've heard a lot of people criticizing Jim Calhoun and his recruiting techniques lately, and I've heard a lot of jokes and scathing comments aimed directly at Thabeet. I understand the logic, the program goes through a recruiting scandal and you logically look at the 7 foot 3 center from Africa. It makes sense. However, if this doesn't sound like a guy you'd like to go to college with then I don't think I want to go to college with you. He's taking advantage of a great opportunity. He's respectful to everyone. And, unlike many division 1 athletes, he's plugged into his school's community.
I'd also like to point out that Thabeet has grown leaps and bounds as a player. He accrued big defensive stats as a freshman, but looked completely lost all the time on the court. He has worked really hard to become the player we see now. Luckily, you don't need to be an asshole to be an effective defender when you are 7'3.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Broncos Dismantled in Less Than 4 Months
We will never know exactly what was happening behind closed doors in Denver, and even if we did I doubt we'd be any closer to knowing exactly who to blame in the Jay Cutler/Josh McDaniels riff. Sometimes there is no clear right and wrong in these situations. However, regardless of who is to blame, there is one thing about which I am certain: the Broncos needed to make this work. They really screwed this one up.
It was December 30th when the news broke that Mike Shanahan was fired. I remember clearly, because it was about an hour before Babcock and I recorded our new year's eve podcast (episode #7). We were both shocked, and felt as though the move did not make much sense. Denver had certainly underachieved in 2008, and their defense was god awful. But they had a clear direction that seemed promising. Their defense needed to be strengthened, and offensively they were a juggernaut. We said in that podcast that we felt the firing was particularly strange when you took into account how much momentum Jay Cutler had built in 2008. It was a career year for him, and he looked totally comfortable and in control with the Denver offense. So, the idea that you would pull the rug out from under him as soon as he found his legs did not make sense. This would not be good for Jay Cutler, we said. I guess we were right, but there was no way that we could have predicted this.
Look, Cutler is far from blameless here. Everything I have read indicates to me that the Broncos were not actively trying to unload him. It seems to me like they entertained the possibility of a three team trade that was brought to them. He clearly overreacted. He's also going to make six and a half million dollars to play football next year, so you'd think it would be hard to be that mad no matter what happened. I get all of that, and that's why I think his bitterness over the Shanahan firing is what fueled his reaction. We know he wasn't happy about his coach being fired, and maybe he saw this issue as the opportunity to punch his way out.
So, yes, Jay did overreact. I think it was because of the Shanahan firing, but that's no exscuse. He's supposed to be a professional, and he acted like an asshole. But, this is the NFL! The only thing that really matters is winning games. Fans can call into radio stations and say "we're better off without that asshole", but it won't be long before they realize that they actually really need that asshole and they start calling for Josh McDaniels and new GM Brian Xanders to be fired. And all this time, you could have had Mike Shanahan and Jay Cutler. It might seem like I'm exaggerating but I don't think so. This whole thing is fucked. This organization has been totally decimated in four short months.
Look, Kyle Orton probably played better than you think last season. Hell, he almost threw for 3,000 yards despite missing a little bit of time. He is also 21-12 as a starter. However, do not expect more of the same next year. The Bears offense is all about ball control. He was always making low risk throws. On top of that, the Bears win games because of their defense and special teams. Orton simply had to not turn the ball over.
Now, let's think about the Broncos last year. Their defense was one of the worst in the entire NFL. Their leading rusher was rookie fullback Peyton Hillis, who rushed for 343 yards. And yet, they were still a formidable opponent because of Cutler. This team NEEDS a playmaker at quarterback if they are going to have any hope of competing. Jay Cutler was a gunslinger last year because that was the only way the Broncos could be successful. Orton can manage games, but he's not a playmaker. Neither is Chris Simms, who may beat Orton out for the job. They have added Correll Buckhalter to the run game, but the coaching staff once known for making average running backs into pro bowlers is no longer in place. On paper, this really looks like the worst team in the AFC West, and that's really saying something.
ESPN showed a graphic this morning in which over 50% of the nation felt that the Broncos got the best of this deal, and I was shocked. yes, two first round picks are certainly nice compensation. But, in making the trade, they're also giving up on one of their recent first round picks. So, in a way, I feel like they are only getting one first round pick. On the other hand, the Bears are getting that franchise quarterback they've always wanted to go with their strong ground game, perpetually stout defense, and stellar special teams. They are one of the best teams in the NFL. They are instant contenders. And, the more success they have, the longer this season will feel in Denver.
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
This is my favorite time of year. We have the confluence of the basketball playoffs, the start of baseball and the NFL Draft. I can’t focus on anything but sports and I look at my fantasy baseball team about 30 times a day. I have some random thoughts on various topics that I’d like to share:
- I hate Mikki Moore with a Mark Blount-like passion. He is the most miserable defensive player on our team and for some reason everyone loves him because he runs down the floor with a grimace on his face and looks like he’s playing hard. The other week, we played the Bulls and Brad Miller was driving to the rack at will on Mikki. When he enters the game, I make a point at watching who he’s guarding. His man inevitably scores and rebounds at will. He doesn’t box out, his lanky frame gets pushed around, and he fouls EVERYONE. I hate the way he plays, I hate the way he looks, I hate the way he spells his name and I hate the fake tough guy look on his face.
- I am going to be in France for the NFL Draft and the NBA playoffs. I am not proud of this, but my company is sending me there for a vacation so I have to go. On the bright side, the delayed start of the draft will have it starting around 10 pm in France. While I am not expecting to go to a bar and see it, I have WiFi in my hotel room so I can follow online. Still, I feel like a fag.
- The Celts are screwed without KG, obviously. Watching the Bobcats game the other night, they reminded me of the old Antoine Walker / Paul Pierce teams that had no interior presence. We took about 30 three pointers and had no consistency on either end of the court. This style of ball (as we all witnessed in the Antoine era) lends itself to huge swings. You are up by ten and the next thing you know, you are down ten. You can’t close out games, but you are never really out of one either. God we need KG to be healthy…
- Speaking of the draft, I am so excited about the Pats picks and the depth of this draft. I honestly believe that they wanted the Chiefs 2nd round pick more than their 1st rounder this year because this might be the deepest draft in recent history. The only difference between a top 10 pick and a 2nd rounder this year is how much you’ll have to pay them. There are no sure fire super-stars, so I kind of feel bad for the Lions and Co. picking at the top. I have seen first round grades on about 60-70 players this year, which is astounding.
- Here are a few players I love this year in the draft, with a disclaimer that I think in terms of good fits for the Pats more often than not. This is not a comprehensive list, just players that I have seen play…
1. Clay Matthews (LB, USC) will be smart, instinctive and actually ran a 4.57 40 at the USC pro day. He is just the type of player the Pats love and watch them take him at #23.
2. Eric Wood (C/G, Louisville) He is the classic O-Lineman that doesn’t show up big at the combine but always shows on film. He stood out to me at the Senior Bowl as he handled BJ Raji VERY well. He’ll go in the early second and I would love to see the Pats get him.
3. Chip Vaughn (S, Wake Forest) He is big (6’1” 220 lbs.) and actually ran a low 4.5 40. Has pretty good instincts and is a very sure handed tackler. Will probably go in the 3rd or 4th, but I think he can be a prototypical SS in the NFL.
4. Rashad Johnson (S, Alabama) He is another Pats type player with great leadership, football instincts and smarts. Not a workout warrior, so he’ll slip into the 2/3 round, but he just seems like a guy that is in the right place at the right time. I think it was the LSU game where he was all over the place and had 2 picks.
5. I love the CB’s in this year’s draft. I think it’s the deepest position. Alphonso Smith (Wake Forest) has fluid hips and makes plays, reminding me of Asante Samuel. DJ Moore (Vanderbilt) hasn’t worked out well, but is one of the best pure athletes in the draft. Darius Butler (UCONN) is a freakish athlete and moving up many boards.
6. Michael Oher (OT, Ole Miss) is going to be the best NFL tackle in the 2009 draft. I have seen every other tackle prospect in the draft play and Oher is by far the best athlete and has the power to boot. He gets knocked for not playing hard all the time, but a lot of OT’s get that rap. He’ll go in the mid-1st round and become an absolute steal.
7. Along the tackle lines, I love Rylan Reed (Texas Tech). He just had a serious injury, so he’ll slip, but he’s a tough SOB and has prototypical NFL left tackle size at 6’7”. He was great in pass protection all year but people criticize the Texas Tech system and think he’s a product of it. Because of the injury he won’t go until late on the 2nd day, but watch him become a very good player in the league.
8. Brian Robiskie (WR, Ohio St.) is the son of Falcon’s WR coach, Terry, so you can imagine how polished he is. I love guys that are ready to run good routes and fit into an offense right away and he’s one of them. Might not have the flash of Maclin or Crabtree, but he will be a productive WR in the league.
9. Robert Ayers (DE/OLB, Tennessee) looked like a beast at the Senior Bowl and I like him a lot more than the Orakpos and Maybins of the world. He has size speed and productivity. You will probably see him in the late first or early second.
10. Finally, I have saved my man crush for last. Connor Barwin (OLB, Cincinnati) is the next Mike Vrabel. He is a true athlete who started at TE for the Bearcats in 2006 and 2007 and also got some minutes on the basketball court in college. He runs very well for a LB (4.59 in the 40) and was extremely productive with 16 TFL and 11 sacks last year. That was his first year playing defense since high school. He is a bit raw, but is known as a hard worker and has the natural ability to play a Pats style OLB. I want the Pats to draft him more than anyone else. He is projected as a late 2nd/early 3rd player, but he is going to be the man.
- I hate Mikki Moore with a Mark Blount-like passion. He is the most miserable defensive player on our team and for some reason everyone loves him because he runs down the floor with a grimace on his face and looks like he’s playing hard. The other week, we played the Bulls and Brad Miller was driving to the rack at will on Mikki. When he enters the game, I make a point at watching who he’s guarding. His man inevitably scores and rebounds at will. He doesn’t box out, his lanky frame gets pushed around, and he fouls EVERYONE. I hate the way he plays, I hate the way he looks, I hate the way he spells his name and I hate the fake tough guy look on his face.
- I am going to be in France for the NFL Draft and the NBA playoffs. I am not proud of this, but my company is sending me there for a vacation so I have to go. On the bright side, the delayed start of the draft will have it starting around 10 pm in France. While I am not expecting to go to a bar and see it, I have WiFi in my hotel room so I can follow online. Still, I feel like a fag.
- The Celts are screwed without KG, obviously. Watching the Bobcats game the other night, they reminded me of the old Antoine Walker / Paul Pierce teams that had no interior presence. We took about 30 three pointers and had no consistency on either end of the court. This style of ball (as we all witnessed in the Antoine era) lends itself to huge swings. You are up by ten and the next thing you know, you are down ten. You can’t close out games, but you are never really out of one either. God we need KG to be healthy…
- Speaking of the draft, I am so excited about the Pats picks and the depth of this draft. I honestly believe that they wanted the Chiefs 2nd round pick more than their 1st rounder this year because this might be the deepest draft in recent history. The only difference between a top 10 pick and a 2nd rounder this year is how much you’ll have to pay them. There are no sure fire super-stars, so I kind of feel bad for the Lions and Co. picking at the top. I have seen first round grades on about 60-70 players this year, which is astounding.
- Here are a few players I love this year in the draft, with a disclaimer that I think in terms of good fits for the Pats more often than not. This is not a comprehensive list, just players that I have seen play…
1. Clay Matthews (LB, USC) will be smart, instinctive and actually ran a 4.57 40 at the USC pro day. He is just the type of player the Pats love and watch them take him at #23.
2. Eric Wood (C/G, Louisville) He is the classic O-Lineman that doesn’t show up big at the combine but always shows on film. He stood out to me at the Senior Bowl as he handled BJ Raji VERY well. He’ll go in the early second and I would love to see the Pats get him.
3. Chip Vaughn (S, Wake Forest) He is big (6’1” 220 lbs.) and actually ran a low 4.5 40. Has pretty good instincts and is a very sure handed tackler. Will probably go in the 3rd or 4th, but I think he can be a prototypical SS in the NFL.
4. Rashad Johnson (S, Alabama) He is another Pats type player with great leadership, football instincts and smarts. Not a workout warrior, so he’ll slip into the 2/3 round, but he just seems like a guy that is in the right place at the right time. I think it was the LSU game where he was all over the place and had 2 picks.
5. I love the CB’s in this year’s draft. I think it’s the deepest position. Alphonso Smith (Wake Forest) has fluid hips and makes plays, reminding me of Asante Samuel. DJ Moore (Vanderbilt) hasn’t worked out well, but is one of the best pure athletes in the draft. Darius Butler (UCONN) is a freakish athlete and moving up many boards.
6. Michael Oher (OT, Ole Miss) is going to be the best NFL tackle in the 2009 draft. I have seen every other tackle prospect in the draft play and Oher is by far the best athlete and has the power to boot. He gets knocked for not playing hard all the time, but a lot of OT’s get that rap. He’ll go in the mid-1st round and become an absolute steal.
7. Along the tackle lines, I love Rylan Reed (Texas Tech). He just had a serious injury, so he’ll slip, but he’s a tough SOB and has prototypical NFL left tackle size at 6’7”. He was great in pass protection all year but people criticize the Texas Tech system and think he’s a product of it. Because of the injury he won’t go until late on the 2nd day, but watch him become a very good player in the league.
8. Brian Robiskie (WR, Ohio St.) is the son of Falcon’s WR coach, Terry, so you can imagine how polished he is. I love guys that are ready to run good routes and fit into an offense right away and he’s one of them. Might not have the flash of Maclin or Crabtree, but he will be a productive WR in the league.
9. Robert Ayers (DE/OLB, Tennessee) looked like a beast at the Senior Bowl and I like him a lot more than the Orakpos and Maybins of the world. He has size speed and productivity. You will probably see him in the late first or early second.
10. Finally, I have saved my man crush for last. Connor Barwin (OLB, Cincinnati) is the next Mike Vrabel. He is a true athlete who started at TE for the Bearcats in 2006 and 2007 and also got some minutes on the basketball court in college. He runs very well for a LB (4.59 in the 40) and was extremely productive with 16 TFL and 11 sacks last year. That was his first year playing defense since high school. He is a bit raw, but is known as a hard worker and has the natural ability to play a Pats style OLB. I want the Pats to draft him more than anyone else. He is projected as a late 2nd/early 3rd player, but he is going to be the man.
Why You Shouldn't Hate the Celtics
Over the course of this season we've seen a tremendous amount of negative sentiment towards the Boston Celtics to the point that they may be the most disliked champion in quite some time. Criticism seems to focus on the following points:
1. They're dirty. LaRocque touched on this in a couple of posts not to long ago. Read them here and here. I'll hold off on my take on this for now and just say that I agree with LaRocque's line of thinking on Trevor Ariza's flagrant foul on Rudy Fernandez. Ariza definitely looked like
a guy trying to make a basketball play.
2. They talk way too much. LeBron, Quentin Richardson and other have led the charge on this at times.
3. Some of the C's are arrogant in a way that is not in line with their abilities. Kendrick Perkins and Leon Powe often come up in these discussions. People around the league hate the perceived sense of entitlement.
4. They're fake tough. Ric Bucher frequently references D.J. Augustine's take on the Celtics' tendency to punk their opponents and fold if they meet resistance.
Clearly I'm here to argue on behalf of the Celtics. In the words of Adam Carolla, "let's get it on" one point at a time:
1. By the 2009 NBA standards the Celtics definitely walk the line between physical and dirty. In the process they cross over to the dirty at times, based again on those aforementioned standards. I'd argue that the Celtics' dirty plays often stem from their tremendous effort on D and dedication to contest everything. I also don't believe they ever play with an intent to injure. Ultimately I hope this doesn't take away from the fact that the 2008 Celtics were a truly special defensive team. And though the 2009 edition is a notch below that, the players still care. In a league where people are often suspect of whether or not certain players or teams do in fact care, it should be refreshing to witness a team that does.
2. Keeping in mind the fact that I'm incredibly biased, I'd aruge that the C's never ending talk is a part of their desire to win another title. Would it be better if the C's completely folded like the Heat did after 2006? What if Boston rested on its laurels like the Detroit Pistons did at times? To be fair the C's have much to accomplish if they want to match Detroit's run. But I'm not the only one that thinks Detroit may have left a title on the table. Whether the C's get there again or not, and given injury and depth concerns it's going to be a struggle, the C's will give it their all and go down fighting. That's all a fan can ask. Furthermore, the league should be excited about a team that values its title and desperately wants to repeat.
3. Leon Powe, despite his one big game in the Finals, still has a lot to prove. So the fact
that he's adopted KG's persona at times may be a bit much. I've been on the Powe bandwagon for three years and even I can accept that. Although it has to be mentioned that he's also out there fighting for every minute. People are kidding if they say they wouldn't want him on their teams. Now on to Kendrick Perkins. He does have his limitations as a player. His offensive repertoire is basic, he's not great against the pick and roll and his constant scowling rubs people the wrong way. But he's a much better passer than he gets credit for, positions himself well on offense and defends the basket with a vengeance. Yes KG makes Perk better. That's what great players do. Perk needs KG. And KG needs Perk, albeit to a lesser degree. I bet KG would have taken Perk on those Minnesota teams. Bottom line Perk has worked tirelessly to be a starter. He was an instrumental part of a title team and just happens to be a bad ass. I don't think he should apologize for that.
4. Let the record show that the Celtics make everyone else bring it. The 2008 squad was impossible to blow out and the 2oo9 team fights as well. Maybe it was a poor decision to come out of the gates so hot. Yet as you've probably figured out at this point, I'm okay with that a flaw. How a team that fought its way through 108 games for a title could be fake tough is beyond me. I'll close with a brief recap of the recent win over Charlotte.
Wednesday night the C's went to double OT at home against a Charlotte team that was playing its second game of the dreaded back-to-back. The Bobcats are 34-41. You can easily make the case that despite its injuries Boston should have taken care of business in regulation. I understand all of that. However, it's really a testament to what the C's have established over the last few seasons. They could have accepted the fact that they're banged up and it just wasn't their night. They've fallen short in other games, such as that trip to Chicago a while back. In a league that gets it's fair share of criticism the Celtics embody a lot of the traits that are supposed to be non-existent. And as a fan of the Celtics it makes me look forward to watching them every chance I get. Bring on the Hawks...
Random Aside - DeSagna Diop is AWFUL from the line. Just throwing that out there.
1. They're dirty. LaRocque touched on this in a couple of posts not to long ago. Read them here and here. I'll hold off on my take on this for now and just say that I agree with LaRocque's line of thinking on Trevor Ariza's flagrant foul on Rudy Fernandez. Ariza definitely looked like
a guy trying to make a basketball play.2. They talk way too much. LeBron, Quentin Richardson and other have led the charge on this at times.
3. Some of the C's are arrogant in a way that is not in line with their abilities. Kendrick Perkins and Leon Powe often come up in these discussions. People around the league hate the perceived sense of entitlement.
4. They're fake tough. Ric Bucher frequently references D.J. Augustine's take on the Celtics' tendency to punk their opponents and fold if they meet resistance.
Clearly I'm here to argue on behalf of the Celtics. In the words of Adam Carolla, "let's get it on" one point at a time:
1. By the 2009 NBA standards the Celtics definitely walk the line between physical and dirty. In the process they cross over to the dirty at times, based again on those aforementioned standards. I'd argue that the Celtics' dirty plays often stem from their tremendous effort on D and dedication to contest everything. I also don't believe they ever play with an intent to injure. Ultimately I hope this doesn't take away from the fact that the 2008 Celtics were a truly special defensive team. And though the 2009 edition is a notch below that, the players still care. In a league where people are often suspect of whether or not certain players or teams do in fact care, it should be refreshing to witness a team that does.
2. Keeping in mind the fact that I'm incredibly biased, I'd aruge that the C's never ending talk is a part of their desire to win another title. Would it be better if the C's completely folded like the Heat did after 2006? What if Boston rested on its laurels like the Detroit Pistons did at times? To be fair the C's have much to accomplish if they want to match Detroit's run. But I'm not the only one that thinks Detroit may have left a title on the table. Whether the C's get there again or not, and given injury and depth concerns it's going to be a struggle, the C's will give it their all and go down fighting. That's all a fan can ask. Furthermore, the league should be excited about a team that values its title and desperately wants to repeat.
3. Leon Powe, despite his one big game in the Finals, still has a lot to prove. So the fact
that he's adopted KG's persona at times may be a bit much. I've been on the Powe bandwagon for three years and even I can accept that. Although it has to be mentioned that he's also out there fighting for every minute. People are kidding if they say they wouldn't want him on their teams. Now on to Kendrick Perkins. He does have his limitations as a player. His offensive repertoire is basic, he's not great against the pick and roll and his constant scowling rubs people the wrong way. But he's a much better passer than he gets credit for, positions himself well on offense and defends the basket with a vengeance. Yes KG makes Perk better. That's what great players do. Perk needs KG. And KG needs Perk, albeit to a lesser degree. I bet KG would have taken Perk on those Minnesota teams. Bottom line Perk has worked tirelessly to be a starter. He was an instrumental part of a title team and just happens to be a bad ass. I don't think he should apologize for that.4. Let the record show that the Celtics make everyone else bring it. The 2008 squad was impossible to blow out and the 2oo9 team fights as well. Maybe it was a poor decision to come out of the gates so hot. Yet as you've probably figured out at this point, I'm okay with that a flaw. How a team that fought its way through 108 games for a title could be fake tough is beyond me. I'll close with a brief recap of the recent win over Charlotte.
Wednesday night the C's went to double OT at home against a Charlotte team that was playing its second game of the dreaded back-to-back. The Bobcats are 34-41. You can easily make the case that despite its injuries Boston should have taken care of business in regulation. I understand all of that. However, it's really a testament to what the C's have established over the last few seasons. They could have accepted the fact that they're banged up and it just wasn't their night. They've fallen short in other games, such as that trip to Chicago a while back. In a league that gets it's fair share of criticism the Celtics embody a lot of the traits that are supposed to be non-existent. And as a fan of the Celtics it makes me look forward to watching them every chance I get. Bring on the Hawks...
Random Aside - DeSagna Diop is AWFUL from the line. Just throwing that out there.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Suggested Blogs
1. If you are a fan of the New England Patriots you should definitely check out the Boston Globe's Reiss's Pieces blog. Mike Reiss is the main contributor, and he gets help from other Boston Globe writers. It stands as my main source of Patriots news as well as everything that Internet journalism has to offer. Why is it awesome? In no particular order:
- Up to the minute Pats news.
- Incredibly thorough
- Well thought out and articulated opinions and analysis.
- Reiss's reflective, honest approach. He's doesn't try to be an expert on everything and admits areas or stories of weakness.
- Insider knowledge.
- A great sense of the Belichick era.
- Tremendous linking and quoting of other sources.
It's just fantastic. In fact if you're a fan of another AFC east team it's worth a read just to see what the Pats are doing.
2. The Basketball Jones. LaRocque has written about them before. But it deserves repeating. They have one of the most unique, enjoyable podcasts out there. They cram a ton into 20 minutes, have recurring themes without bludgeoning you to death with them and genuinely love the NBA. It's a must listen for any NBA fanatic. Bonus points because Melas and Skeets have fantastic chemistry.
3. The Coach Blog. Sadly it's inching toward 2 years since it's last update. However, I strongly suggest you read through the archive. I could write a ton about it, but I'll let its author, Chuck, sum it up, "This is a blog about the TV show "Coach". I wasn't a fan and I don't remember much about it." Essentially it's Chuck's vague recollections about a pretty atrocious TV show. Perhaps it speaks to me because I saw random snippets of several episodes at one point, but never a full show.
- Up to the minute Pats news.
- Incredibly thorough
- Well thought out and articulated opinions and analysis.
- Reiss's reflective, honest approach. He's doesn't try to be an expert on everything and admits areas or stories of weakness.
- Insider knowledge.
- A great sense of the Belichick era.
- Tremendous linking and quoting of other sources.
It's just fantastic. In fact if you're a fan of another AFC east team it's worth a read just to see what the Pats are doing.
2. The Basketball Jones. LaRocque has written about them before. But it deserves repeating. They have one of the most unique, enjoyable podcasts out there. They cram a ton into 20 minutes, have recurring themes without bludgeoning you to death with them and genuinely love the NBA. It's a must listen for any NBA fanatic. Bonus points because Melas and Skeets have fantastic chemistry.
3. The Coach Blog. Sadly it's inching toward 2 years since it's last update. However, I strongly suggest you read through the archive. I could write a ton about it, but I'll let its author, Chuck, sum it up, "This is a blog about the TV show "Coach". I wasn't a fan and I don't remember much about it." Essentially it's Chuck's vague recollections about a pretty atrocious TV show. Perhaps it speaks to me because I saw random snippets of several episodes at one point, but never a full show.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
I Didn't Fill Out a Bracket - So What?
When I was younger I used to follow a ton of sports, leagues and events closely - NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAA Football, NCAA Basketball, the NCAA Baseball Tournament, high school sports in Worcester, Massachusetts, the Olympics (summer and winter), world championships. I even tried to keep up with the NHL, even though hockey never quite clicked with me. But then I got older, got a job, and I could not keep up with everything. I found myself gravitating towards the Patriots and the Celtics. The former because the NFL is so easy to follow and the C's because I'm fascinated by the NBA.
Well all of the sudden it's 2009 and I didn't fill out a bracket. Not one. And the NCAA tournament has gotten to the point that seemingly everyone else did. Initially I was honest and admitted, "I just didn't get around to it." People were borderline offended. Other mocked me. I got into a few arguments about it. It's not that I didn't mind the jokes about my manhood or lack thereof. Rather I was annoyed by the assumption that I was somehow not a sports fan. It was as if my credentials were on the line. Really? Consider the following.
I watched every game of the 2006-2007 Celtics season. I bought a round for some people in Cambridge, England who didn't even follow the NBA when the KG trade was announced. Three days ago I dressed up as this guy. I'm probably going to help out with a JV baseball team a few days a week because I like throwing BP and hitting fly balls. There was a point where I was the self proclaimed best NBA Jam player in the world. I just knocked the ROOMOFZEN's T and his "Nobody Beats the Wiz" out of the fantasy basketball playoffs. Okay you got me. This was just an elaborate plan to drive home that last point. And I don't care if T stopped playing weeks ago and had injured guys in his lineup. Nor do I care that I'm going to get bounced this round. Nobody Beats The Wiz? Cobra Kai beat the Wiz. SWEEP THE LEG! PUT HIM IN A BODY BAG!
Well all of the sudden it's 2009 and I didn't fill out a bracket. Not one. And the NCAA tournament has gotten to the point that seemingly everyone else did. Initially I was honest and admitted, "I just didn't get around to it." People were borderline offended. Other mocked me. I got into a few arguments about it. It's not that I didn't mind the jokes about my manhood or lack thereof. Rather I was annoyed by the assumption that I was somehow not a sports fan. It was as if my credentials were on the line. Really? Consider the following.
I watched every game of the 2006-2007 Celtics season. I bought a round for some people in Cambridge, England who didn't even follow the NBA when the KG trade was announced. Three days ago I dressed up as this guy. I'm probably going to help out with a JV baseball team a few days a week because I like throwing BP and hitting fly balls. There was a point where I was the self proclaimed best NBA Jam player in the world. I just knocked the ROOMOFZEN's T and his "Nobody Beats the Wiz" out of the fantasy basketball playoffs. Okay you got me. This was just an elaborate plan to drive home that last point. And I don't care if T stopped playing weeks ago and had injured guys in his lineup. Nor do I care that I'm going to get bounced this round. Nobody Beats The Wiz? Cobra Kai beat the Wiz. SWEEP THE LEG! PUT HIM IN A BODY BAG!
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