nba musings

I really wish Danny Ainge would shut his piehole. I was confused for a little while about what the hell was going on with all these Rondo trade rumors and now I’m more convinced than ever that Danny is just trying to put the Celtics in the best position to re-sign Rondo without having to pay him what he’s going to inevitably ask for. It reminds me a little too much of how he handled KG’s injury and a comment he made about how the office was trying to be like Belichick.

Bitch, please.

Danny, I served with Bill Belichick: I knew Bill Belichick; Bill Belichick was a friend of mine. Danny Ainge, you’re no Bill Belichick.

In other news, the Celtics haven’t made any big moves yet (unless you count drafting some kid last night with the 58th pick), but the Cavs and the Magic sure did. Vince Carter, huh? Answer me this Orlando, if Vince falls on the ground and clutches his hammy, whatcha gonna do? a.) run over and help him; b.) act like he’s dead to you and follow the action down the other end of the court; c) wait for him or Dwight Howard to yell, “Chuck! Aaaaargh!”?

Shaq to Cleveland will be interesting to watch. Shaq is entertaining, but I’m beginning to think he has a big screw loose. During last night’s draft, he said that he and LeBron were having “mental conversations.” What the hell? Bizarre shit. Just sayin.

For more of my thoughts on the Shaq trade, visit The No-Look Pass blog. The blog’s head honcho, Rey-Rey, interviewed me and three other “chicks who love hoops.” Check it out… (For the record, I only throw remote controls at Tarheel fans… and my mom sometimes… because she’s a Tarheel fan. Go Blue Devils.)

Related news:

• Red’s Army: “We value Rondo more than anyone else in the league”
• Third Quarter Collapse: The Morning After: Air Canada Lands In Orlando
• Fear the Sword: Ok, so, Shaquille O’Neal needs a nickname!!!
• The No-Look Pass: Talking To Chicks Who Love Hoops: The Big Trade Piece

These silly season rumors are giving me fits. It seemed like the very minute game 7 finished and the Celtics went fishing in Dingle, Ireland, people started speculating about who isn’t going to be back next year. Thoughts immediately flashed through my brain. Will they keep Leon or Big Baby? The answer is clear, simple and finite. Leon stays! Baby can go. I’ll miss him, but not as much as I’d miss Leon. This is not Sophie’s Choice for me. The decision is clear. After that, I pondered how quickly they’d tell Mikki Moore and Stephon Marbury not to let the door hit them in the ass on the way out. No problem with that. The rookies? Haven’t gotten attached to them. They can go too. However, there were certain players that I just assumed were untouchable. Never for a moment did I think I might have to brace myself for life without Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo or Kendrick Perkins. I think I could almost handle losing Ray. As much as I love him, I probably wouldn’t go into mourning if they felt like they had to trade him. But, the idea of trading either Perk or Rondo is just completely unbelievable to me. Rondo is a star. He has a lot to learn still, but he’s a star. And, what can you say about Kendrick Perkins? He’s the most underrated player on that whole team. Trading Rondo and Perk, in my opinion would be as ridiculous as trading KG and Paul Pierce. I will NOT part with any of them. You hear me, Wyc?!

Here is what I’ll agree to part with:

ps. Keep your grubby little mitts of Scal! I will NOT part with Scal either! Get back! *jabbing the air with a pitchfork*

Playoffs Game 3
Celtics @ Magic 96-117

Thank the good lord allmighty and all things holy that I bought a new computer just hours before this game. I was totally distracted setting up my new baby and getting all my programs set up on it to even focus completely on this joke of a game. Holy inconsistency Batman. Like seriously, wtf? Honestly, I don’t care if they win this series as long as they play Celtics basketball. If they’re moving the ball and playing great D and still can’t get past D-Ho and the Magic men, then so be it. But, I’m so not having this crappy D and lackluster effort bs. I remember not so long ago when Celtics fans were lamenting Rondo getting snubbed for the All-star game and I remember saying at the time that Rondo wasn’t ready yet to be called an all-star. Last night’s game was a perfect example of why. He’s not consistent. He has brilliant triple dub games and then he has games where he just doesn’t show up. I’m not trying to jump on him specifically. I know he isn’t any more responsible than any of the other players on the team. Ray and Paul need to “show up” more consistently too if they’re going to advance. I just think it’s insane that they went from winning in a blowout in Boston to losing in a blowout in Orlando. Is it tougher on the road? Sure, of course it is. But, great teams make the adjustment. I’m not throwing in the towel, fan-wise. I know this team well enough to know that they still have a great chance to pull off their own magic and win this series. I’m just starting to wonder whether they’re headed anywhere even if they do. You can’t take on Cleveland dropping game 1 and then half-assing it the rest of the way only to “turn it up a notch” at the eleventh hour.

Related news:

• Red’s Army: Embarrassing | No Suspension For Perk
• Celtics Hub: Worst Defense of the Year? Magic 117, C’s 96
• CelticsBlog: Disgusting Defensive Display
• Celtics 17: Game Three Recap and Analysis
• TalkHoops.net: 2009 NBA Playoffs: Celtics-Magic Game 3 Recap

Playoffs Game 2
Celtics v. Magic 112-94

The Good

• Eddie House scored a career playoff high of 31 points.
• Rajon Rondo earned another triple double (15 pts, 18 assts, 11 rebs) and threw down a pretty nifty slam dunk to boot.
• Doc Rivers had high praise for Brian Scalabrine after the game and said that he was surprised Scal was even able to come back this soon. This quote from Scal is one of the reasons I love him: “The funny thing, everyone else has problems with how much playing time I’ve gotten here except me,” said Scalabrine. “Even my mother will say, ’How come you’re not playing more?’ I tell everyone the same thing. I’m happy to be here. I’m happy being a Boston Celtic … I’m happy being a winner.”

The Bad

• Paul Pierce was in foul trouble and only played 15 mins. and only scored 3 points. (The upside: Lots of needed rest for the captain!)
• Rafer Alston felt an imaginary elbow and decided it would be a good idea to slap Eddie House in the back of the head (he’s suspended for Game 3).

The Ugly

• J.J. Redick fouled out and then thought it would be a good idea to go bitch about it to Bennett Salvatore, thus getting himself ejected from the game.

Related news:

• Celtics Hub: Without Pierce, C’s Get Back to Basics
• Red’s Army: That’s More Like It | Rafer vs Eddie
• CelticsBlog: Wow… Just Wow
• TalkHoops.net: 2009 NBA Playoffs: Celtics-Magic Game 2 Recap

Playoffs Game 5
Celtics v. Bulls 106-104

I don’t know about the Celtics, but this first round is exhausting… for me. I’m so tired. Lol. These close games that end in OT or double OT are killing me slowly with a dull rusty dinner fork. I believe I’ve already stated that I hate close games when it comes to my team. Since I’m mentally and physically exhausted (staying up half the night watching heart attack basketball and then getting up at 6:30am for the day job will do that to a person), I’m going to just post my thoughts in a free form (possibly non-coherent) bullet point list.

• Paul looked awful until the end of the game. He was missing in action on offense and defense. The comeback was great and he continues to prove he’s one of the most clutch guys in the game, but I just wish he hadn’t taken so long to get it going.
• I think Ray got some of Perk’s calls. Perk got ZERO fouls and Ray Allen fouled out. Something is rotten in Denmark. My theory is that they just gave Perk’s calls to Ray. (Haha.)
• Steph. Shoot the ball. Shoot it. It’s what you do. How can you not do it? Do it. Shoot it. Sigh.
• After the game, Doc told reporters that Tony Allen’s play during the game was… *drumroll* Phenomenal. No, not a typo. Phenomenal. *shaking head*
• I hate to admit it, but our bench is weak sauce. I love them, I really do, but they aren’t stepping up.
• Rondo continues to be a fan-freaking-tastic stat machine and thank the good lord allmighty for that.
• I’ve wanted to fist fight several website commenters and Twitter tweeters (tweeps? Ugh, Twitter lingo is so stupid) in the last week. Ah yes, the NBA playoffs are here. I’m trying to remind myself that close games with questionable calls (on both sides) bring out the irrational in people (including me). Howeva *nod to Stephen A.*, to the person/people who insist that Rondo PUNCHED Brad Miller… Settle down, Skippy. Was it flagrant? Possibly. Did the Bulls get hosed a little bit by the non-call? Possibly. Did he recklessly lay a hard foul on Brad Miller? Definitely. But, he DID NOT punch him. That’s ridiculous. I don’t care how many camera angles you viewed that play from. There was no punch. I might bleed green, but I’m not unreasonable. If it was a punch, I’d admit it. [I'll concede it was a bitch-slap. ]
• Why do NBA fans who don’t root for the Celtics have such a problem with KG yelling profanity and heckling the other team’s players from the bench? Big deal. I can understand the poor bastards that have to listen to it complaining, but I don’t understand viewers at home getting all up in arms about it. I think this is just KG’s way of contributing. He can’t play, so he’s harrassing the other team’s players to try and throw them off their game. Obnoxious yes, but not a felony.

I have a lot more on my mind, but this post is already long enough. I’ll zip it and go back to watching tonight’s MIA/ATL game. This one has been pretty chippy dippy. Players were shoved. Technicals were assessed. Flagrants were erroneously called. Ah yes, good times, good times.

Related news:

• CelticsBlog: KG: Not Winning Any Sportsmanship Awards
• Red’s Army: The Last Word On Officials
• Celtics Hub: A Word on Flagrant Fouls
• Celtics 17: Late Game Recap, Early Game Preview
• Both Teams Played Hard: Brad Miller Is Dead…On the Inside
• NBA Noise: Elbows, face slaps, fines, fouls and suspensions

Where to start? I’m going to start off by admitting that I have finally taken off my derrick rose colored glasses… we’re in big trouble. I was alarmed when Leon Powe appeared to injure himself (which turned out to be a season ending torn ACL injury) and went back into the locker room, but I went into full on panic mode when Rondo went down, threw the remote control (my specialty) and started rocking back and forth in the fetal position. Lol. I hate to give up or even hint that I might be giving up, but this is going to be a mammoth undertaking trying to get just to the ECF.

I prefer to focus on the positive though, so on the upside, how about that triple double (19 Pts, 12 Reb, 16 Ast ) for Rondo? On a sprained ankle! He’s a rockstar. Nice to see Ray Allen snap out of his funk too. I had no doubt that he would but sometimes it takes a game or two for him to get his shot back and this time he got it back right away. Thank goodness for that because we needed him desperately. We need everyone desperately, that’s the problem. The bench is killing me. I hate to bag on them, because I really do love them, but watching them last night was painful. You might be wondering how I could even hint that I love Stephon Marbury when I was comparing him to Terrell Owens and Manny Ramirez not very long ago… Well, honestly I think I’d cheer for Beelzebub if he suited up for the Celtics in jersey number triple 6. That’s how much I love this team. (Did I just compare Steph to Beelzebub? Sorry Steph.) It was also painful watching KG watch these games. I think it’s quite literally killing him to sit on the sidelines. How about that game winning 3-pointer though? Those never get old. KG’s reaction was priceless.

Related news: Red’s Army: Powe Done For Season | New Public Enemy #1, CelticsBlog: No Mo Powe | The Smoothest Strikes Again, Celtics 17: An Open Letter To Danny Ainge, The No-Look Pass: Call Me Crazy… But This Is Game of the Year

In general NBA news, congrats are in order for Mike Brown (COY) and Dwight Howard (DPOY). I would’ve picked Stan Van Gundy and Dwyane Wade, but you can’t really knock those picks either. I would’ve liked to have seen the Magic play the Bulls in this opening round if for no other reason but to try and see Joakim Noah’s fuzzy ponytail & TyTh take on Dwight. That would be something.

Also, I’ve done some soul searching and I think I’ve come to terms with my recent Cavaliers hatred. I’m jealous. They’re us… last year. And I’m bitter. I think though, if it does end up being the Cavs and Lakers in the finals that the Lakers have a better chance to win. The Cavs are deeper at Lebron and Mo’s positions but the Lakers have the edge everywhere else. The Lakers are going to be playing the tough guy role that the Celtics played last season and I’m not sure the Cavs will be able to respond. Lebron is all kinds of amazing, I’m not questioning his ability to take over the game and home court does definitely help them immensely, but I don’t think it will be enough. So, if the finals ends up being the matchup we all think it will be, my money will be on the Lakers… but I won’t be rooting against the Cavs. Or the Lakers. I’ll have no horse in that race, I’ll just be sitting back like everyone else and enjoying the show.

Celtics @ Hawks 99-93

Celtics seemed to have this one from the jump. Ahead the whole game, at times by a pretty healthy margin. Hawks made a run in the 4th that was a little scary, but in the end, the Celtics won by 6 and all was right with the world. Pre-game, there was a little buzz surrounding some comments Rondo made to the media about the Hawks not being much of a rival. Shouldn’t have been a surprise though, since KG said the same thing the last few times someone asked him about the so-called “rivalry” with the Hawks. It’s kind of like Shaq/Oden and Lebron/Deshawn. At this juncture, the Hawks are a low-level ninja named Soulja Boy.