Cincinnati Reds Trade Adam Dunn, Blow It Up, Try To Rebuild After 18 Years Of Misery.

Saying it has been 18 years of misery isn’t exactly fair.

The Reds did make the playoffs 13 years ago (they were promptly swept).

They were also in first place in the NL Central in 1994…you know…before the strike ended the season.

But I have to wonder how it feels to be a Cincinnati Reds fan this morning.

One of their best players for the last several seasons has been traded for prospects. Ken Griffey Jr. was sent away a few weeks back. It can’t be easy.

You know how when you’re a sports fan you have your teams and you have the teams you hate? Does anyone else feel like between yours team and the teams you hate, there are a slew of teams that you have a certain affinity for. You aren’t exactly a fan of the team, but you would definitely root for them should your team not make the playoffs or get eliminated by someone else. Am I the only one?

I can honestly say that the run and gun Phoenix Suns were one such team. I think Bombs felt the same way. I loved watching them do ridiculous things even when the Celtics were horrible.

The Baron Davis Warriors were another.

And I’ve always had a strange and inexplicable affinity for the Cincinnati Reds.

When I look at the NL standings they are sort of the team I root for in the Central.

I mean, I like the Cubs, I can’t NOT like the Cubs, and the Brewers are sometimes entertaining (though this is mostly based on my love of Gorman Thomas).

But the Reds are sort of, like I’ll look at their box scores.

I love Brandon Phillips. I loved Adam Dunn. And I loved Griffey (when he was healthy).

But do I ever watch their games from start to finish? I mean, if they are on, maybe. But I would never seek them out. I just sort of…want them to be good. Does that make sense?

Obviously I don’t get upset when they suck (I would have lived a sad sad life) and wouldn’t throw a party or celebrate if they won it all, but if the World Series was the Reds against the Rangers (or someone else completely random that I have nothing against) I would actually watch it to root for the Reds.

And anyway, trading Adam Dunn for prospects will hopefully help the Reds rebuild.

This is a team that just never seems to go in the right direction.

They never seem to spend money on high quality pitching (yet throw out all kinds of cash for Broson Arroyo). They are in a very tough division. If they go for a youth movement ala the Florida Marlins or Tampa Bay Rays, I don’t see how it could do anything but help their chances in the long run.

However…for the next 3 or 4 seasons…

“Dunleavy Fingers Agent For Brand….”

Uhh…that’s actually the headline from ESPN.

Its like I said in my earlier comment. Falk supposedly convinced Brand to leave the Clips. Baron Davis has proven to be even classier than I thought and Dunleavy is NOT happy.

If the Clips can get Emeka Okafor and convince him to stay healthy and be awesome, they could still be good. They do have some money to spend…

UPDATE:

Apparently ESPN changed the headline. Maybe they noticed the innuendo. Or maybe they read my blog. It wouldn’t surprise me. We all remember when the Patriots took my advice and cut Willie Andrews (within 1 day of the initial post mind you!).

Here’s a nice quote from Dunleavy:

“David Falk was asking for $120 million. And he’s trying to scorch the earth and saying, if not next year, he’ll get $150 million,” Dunleavy said. “Well, Mr. Sterling’s response was listen, Elton’s coming off an Achilles [tendon] surgery and I know he’s a great player, but I’m a little reluctant to put that kind of money on the board. Have him play out his contract next year and if he deserves that, I’m more than happy to pay him.

I’m pretty sure Dunleavy would do something more painful than finger David Falk right now…

Elton Brand To 76ers, Baron Davis Should NOT SIGN With the Clippers.

Well Philadelphia, you certainly have something to look forward to this NBA season.

I would argue that in spite of a few missing pieces, the Sixers were among the top 6 teams in the East (maybe 5th…maybe 6th…) and were a couple years away from being able to hang with some teams in the West.

With the Elton Brand signing, they get bigger and a little tougher. Their defense will get a little better. They will be a better team.

I’m glad to see a good player from the West coming East. Its refreshing.

But the real story here?

The Clippers.

What the hell is going on in Clip land?

This team has officially lost three of its best players from last season (Brand, Maggette, Cassell), now features a bunch of young guys with no direction and SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SIGN BARON DAVIS.

Baron Davis should immediately reject ANY and ALL offers from the Clippers. Simple as that. He can sign to a variety of other teams and be in an immeasurably better situation.

LeBron should be making that face right now if Danny Ferry (Cavs GM) DID NOT spend all night talking to Baron Davis and his people trying to hammer out a deal to get the Beard to Cleveland. Last I checked, the Cavs needed a serious point guard (Delonte is good, but not Baron Davis good) and additionally more serious players in general around Lebron. Baron Davis with LeBron James in Cleveland? Scary. Like, I’d be shitting my pants every possession scary.

If Baron Davis does not back out of the contract with the Clippers, he is preparing himself for several years of professional agony. Sure, maybe he can be in some TV shows or movies while he’s in LA (its not like he’ll need to spend much time preparing to play basketball) but he’ll be miserable being sent out in the starting lineup of a COMPLETE non-contender year after year (YES, it IS different than being with GState where they might not have had a great chance of winning it all, but they were consistently a competitive team).

Believe me Baron. I’m from Boston. I’ve seen what it does to people.

ESCAPE FROM LA!!!

Elton Brand Saga Heats Up, Elton John Saga Remains Non-Existent.

The Philadelphia 76ers have their sights set on Elton Brand (as well as Josh Smith) reports ESPN.

The problem is, they have all these expiring contracts and this dead weight to get rid of first. And what team could they POSSIBLY get to take Rodney Carney and Calvin Booth (both making too much money)? 

OH, WAIT!!!!

The Minnesota Timberwolves!!

Supposedly the Sixers will send their two overpriced expiring contracts to the T’Wolves for nothing (or something like that), free up cap space and offer Elton Brand way too much money.

Again, I’m all for guys coming to the East from the West, improving the conference and ending all that “West Is The Best” nonsense.

But if Elton Brand leaves the Clips, Baron Davis is going to be on a shitty team all alone in LA. Maybe they can get Bill Simmons to throw on a jersey and play Shooting Guard.

The Elton Brand deal needs to get done regardless of where he goes though because he is distracting other teams from signing other free agents.

I’d love to see this turn into a 13 team hunt for Elton Brand.

Oh, and on the Elton John saga…one of my favorite music videos from childhood. The budget of which is clearly five times the fourthcoming Elton Brand contract.

Elton Brand Gets Offer From Warriors (REVENGE OFFER!), Josh Smith Talks to Sixers, Gerald Green and DeSagana Diop to Mavs.

Yes Bombs, I will certainly spend 1,000+ words talking about Clay Shit Face Bennett and the giant piece of trash that is David Stern. Of course I will.

I just need to get this out there first.

In a revenge offer, or maybe just because Chris Webber is retired, the Warriors have offered Elton Brand something to think on. Hard.

$18 mil a year for half a decade is nothing to sneeze at. Especially considering what he’s gone through with the Clippers (the whole being shitty thing).

Looks like the Clips might be handcuffed.

In which case, they had better make some serious moves for some other top tier player(s) because spending all that money on Baron Davis is just foolish otherwise.

Josh Smith who was last seen making me nervous as hell every time he touched the ball in Round 1 of the 2008 Playoffs (and the “nervous as hell” is not meant in the same way that I was “nervous as hell” every time Sam Cassell touched the ball in the Playoffs) has reportedly met with the Sixers. I guess he’s serious about possibly moving up to Philly. Which might be able to help them become a more rounded team, as Smith certainly didn’t look like a scrub in the Playoffs.

I really do think the whole “The West is way better” thing would become a completely moot point if the talent distribution wasn’t as equal as it is on the lower teams in the East. In other words, take the best and/or second best player away from the 5 worst teams in the East and throw them onto the top 8 teams in the East and I’m sure you’d see a similar talent level across the board. Which is why I love the idea of someone leaving the Hawks for the Sixers.

 

Gerald Green and DeSagana Diop have signed with the Mavericks. Which is nice. Hopefully Gerald Green gets his career on track. He’s a guy that has a lot of potential. I’d hate to see it wasted.

“Sure, it’s been humbling,” agent Colin Bryant told The Associated Press. “If you’re out of the league, you have a lot of time to think about it. That’s where his hunger and focus come from. It’s a brand new Gerald Green. The rest of the league will soon find that out.”

Still a lot of moves to be made.

Baron Davis Is Going To The Clippers? Why The New York Knicks Are Screwed.

It seems like just yesterday I was writing about how Davis might go to the Clippers and how great it would be if that team actually tried to make some serious plays for free agents.

Oh…It was yesterday.

I guess I’m just glad he didn’t go to the Cavs, which would have been downright scary.

Right now its still a verbal agreement though, so we’ll have to wait and see. Granted, a verbal agreement is usually a pretty solid deal…but stranger things have happened.

Davis just BELONGS in California. The only other place I could see him fitting in would have been New York and we all know that isn’t happening.

While we’re talking about the Knicks, let’s take a look at why they are DOOMED through 2011ish:

1) Stephon Marbury – $19,012,500 through 2010 - To put that in perspective, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are both on $16mil contracts for the next 4 and 3 seasons. Let’s keep in mind that the nearly 20 million a year Starbury makes was paid to him in 07-08 to a) testify against Isiah Thomas, b) demand to be traded to the Celtics c) Skip a bunch of games due to a “personal matter” and d) not play for 3/4 of the season. Coney Island’s finest.

2) Zach Randolph – $13.3 million per year through 2012 – This is an out of shape guy who has had previous issues with everybody. He can score. But he’s not a team player. And he’s definitely not worth more than Rasheed Wallace (who makes $12 mil a year), Chauncey Billups (who makes $10 mil a year) or Richard Hamilton ($10 mil a year) and you know who else he’s not worth more than? LeBron James ($13 mil a year). Yikes.

3) Eddy Curry, Jamal Crawford, Quentin Richardson, Malik Rose – all $7 to $8 mil a year – 3, 4, 3 and 2 years left. Horrific. At these rates, the Knicks might as well just pay David Lee $32 million a year and call it a day. At least they’ll be getting quality minutes for their $32 million…

I’m not saying I’m qualified to be the GM of any professional sports team….I just don’t think I could have done WORSE than the Knicks have the last few years.

But as I said yesterday, I could see Baron Davis fitting in with D’Antoni, being a New York City guy and being happy there…you know…if they weren’t so horribly fucked. Oh well.

I just hope the Clippers aren’t done making moves. If they can get a couple more role-players and re-sign Elton Brand, they might be halfway decent. They probably aren’t getting past the first round of the playoffs, but I think they’ll have a CHANCE to MAKE the playoffs at least if they do re-sign Brand, stay healthy and make a few more good moves.

I wonder what Gilbert Arenas is going to do…I heard he is in talks with Washington for 6 years $127 million. $21 million a year seems high to me, for Agent 0. I’d say $106 million for 6 years would be about right ($17 million a year).

I’m just glad that the NBA off season has become more exciting. You used to hear about possible moves and everythign but nothing would ever happen. Now, anything could happen. Its a great time to be a fan.

Free Agents. Baron Davis. Gilbert Arenas. James Posey. Elton Brand. Corey Maggette. Donkey Kong.

Bombs is right. I do need to write about the free agents on the market right now in the NBA!!!

First off, let me say that I would LOVE. Repeat…LOVE to see Baron Davis on the Celtics. Not that its going to happen (or has any chance of happening at all), but I just want to make it known that he is one of my favorite players in the league.

So lets completely suspend disbelief (ala the movie “Wanted”) and talk about why that would be awesome.

1) Eddie House and Sam Cassell are probably not coming back. I would love to have a 29 year old in his prime point guard (and fearless shooter) to split time with Rajon Rondo.

2) He’s been not so healthy the last several years. If he only played like 25 minutes a game, maybe he’d be healthier?

3) Davis could also play SG in place of Paul Pierce or Ray Allen (however Doc is feeling at the moment) and lead the bench.

4) He has the greatest beard in the NBA since Walt Frazier.

The thing is, Baron Davis just seems to BELONG in Oakland. I don’t know why. It just makes sense.

Here are some teams that could use a great point guard:

1) Cleveland: Imagine a Cavs team with Lebron and Baron Davis? That would be scary…Especially since Delonte West is not guaranteed to return.

2) Houston: Maybe the Rockets want to upgrade at Guard? I feel like adding Baron Davis would be a slight improvement. But doubt this happens.

3) LA Clippers: Imagine if the Clips made off season pushes for various free agents (since their team is essentially non-existent right now)? They could probably use a guy who fits in California. Also doubt this happens.

4) Milwaukee: The Bucks going for Baron would be funny. Because if they had him, Bogut, Michael Redd and Richard Jefferson and a rotating cast of 6’11″ guys, they wouldn’t be terrible. This won’t happen.

Watch, he’ll probably end up with the Knicks or Sonics or Blazers or somewhere strange…if he doesn’t end up back in GState.

JAMES POSEY MUST REMAIN ON THE BOSTON CELTICS.

I don’t care what they need to pay him. EVERY TEAM NEEDS SOMEONE LIKE POSEY!!!

Rumors are that if the C’s don’t re-sign him, he might be enticed by the Cavs.

For the record, Cleveland really MUST make some huge moves this off season if they want to have even a small chance of resigning Lebron in 2010. They NEED to get better players around him. Just not Posey.

Elton Brand rumors were swirling in Boston last Summer.

He’s probably not headed anywhere but back to the Clips…supposedly.

Philly might want him. Philly should also make some interesting plays this off season. They could really turn into a top 12 team if they make some good free agency acquisitions or trades.

Gilbert Arenas could go anywhere. I hope he stays in the East for the sake of the East becoming more competitive.

Actually, I hope EVERY good free agent goes east. Lets level out the playing field here.

Maybe this is where the Sixers make a move? If their ownership wants to win, they’re gonna need to spend some serious money. And as was proven in 07-08, what you do in the off season definitely DOES have a major impact on what you do when the playing starts. Imagine if the Sixers somehow made plays for Brand, Davis and Arenas? That would be insane.

Also, this is why its so shitty that the Knicks have fucked themselves for years, I really do think, if there was any money to spend, that Baron Davis and Gilbert Arenas could both easily end up there and end up fitting in with D’Antoni’s style. They can both run and shoot. A New York team with the two of them, the hated Italian, and less derelicts? I’d say the Boston/New York rivalry would be on in basketball…

Corey Maggette is one of those guys that no one really gets super excited about, but he does average 16 points and 5 rebounds a game and would definitely be a solid addition to any team that could use an extra hand on offense. He’s not going to transform any team from a 30 game winner to a 50 game winner or anything like that. But he might be helpful in Cleveland or Philly or Orlando or Washington. Some team that is actively trying to get better (maybe even Miami or Chicago or Indiana…who knows?).

 

 

Celtics Win, NBA Season Ends, York Misses Basketball Already, KG Goes Crazy, Big Baby Shirtless, Scalabrine Talks Some Trash, I love 2008.

 

It’s over.

 

The Boston Celtics have done what a lot of experts said they couldn’t or wouldn’t, what I thought they probably would and what they haven’t done in 22 years. Win an NBA Championship.

I feel like they all must have read my game 6 preview…otherwise how do you explain Big Baby getting some minutes, Rondo playing like he has superhuman speed and agility, Paul Pierce staying focused and STILL getting 20 points even though his shots weren’t falling for an entire half, Kevin Garnett hitting seemingly every shot he took, Ray Allen setting a record for 3′s in a Finals game and the Celtics absolutely dismantling the LA Lakers?

Oh…right…This is EXACTLY the team they were ALL SEASON LONG.

Let it also be known that we saw exactly 0 series upsets in these NBA Finals. The team with the better record won every single series. The Finals were no different.

Let is ALSO be known that if you had to rank the top 5 teams in the NBA for 2007-08, they would HAVE to be:

1) Boston Celtics

2) Detroit Pistons

3) LA Lakers

4) San Antonio Spurs

5) New Orleans Hornets

I suspect we might start hearing a whole lot less about the (L)Eastern Conference being shitty come 08-09. Particularly if The Heat stay healthy, Beasley is as good as advertised, the Magic make improvements, the Bulls get stronger, the Cavs get SOMEONE else, The Hawks play defense and the Raptors get better. Granted these are a lot of “ifs”.

But this isn’t about the Eastern Conference. This is about the Celtics.

One team that won it all because of team unity and chemistry and amazing defense.

 

 

 

 

Paul Pierce has cemented his place in Celtics history. Pierce essentially carried the Celtics through the playoffs when Ray Allen and KG were struggling. He was The Captain and The Truth. I think in Boston we have felt for years that Pierce has never really received the respect that he has deserved. He is a complete player. He is a leader. He can take over a game when they need him to.

 

Paul Pierce will finally get some of the love that goes along with not only being a champion, but being one of the best.

Before the 2008 Finals most people would never have considered Pierce to be one of the top 25 players in the NBA. Right now? I don’t know how you could NOT put him in the top 25.

In the Playoffs this season (the best 16 teams) there were only a few guys who showed signs of being able to carry their team through tough times. LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Manu, Joe Johnson (who LOOKED like one of the best guys in the NBA in the Atlanta/Boston series). I’m having trouble thinking of anyone else who single handedly carried their team through any portion of the Finals or who just completely took over multiple games. Please let me know if I missed anyone.

Anyway, if you argue that the absolute best players in the NBA make it to the Playoffs (a slippery slope that is essentially what GOT Pierce ignored or forgotten about for so long), Pierce would HAVE TO be the alpha dog of that list this season (Chris Paul would be 2nd only because he didn’t end up winning it all).

I’m not trying to argue that Paul Pierce is the best player in the league. However, if you want to talk about the top 25 in the league based on their performances, Pierce now HAS TO be in that discussion.

Let’s just remember that Mr. T Mobile himself, Dwayne Wade, got that respect from corporations and the NBA how? Oh yeah, by CARRYING the Heat to a championship. It’s been disappointing how injured he has been lately too, because he is one guy I really respect and enjoy watching.

Maybe next season Charles Barkley can be harassing Paul Pierce is all I’m saying…

“GET ME THEM SOCKS!”

 

 

 

 

You know who I never want to hear “he’s not good enough in the clutch” about again?

 

Yeah, he’s holding the trophy above with young Greg Oden.

(Oh…that’s Bill Russell? Could have fooled me.)

Kevin Garnett was INSANE in the post-game interview. The guy was clearly still in 30,000th gear and honestly had the look of someone who was exhausted in every way possible, who had not slept in weeks and who was emotionally overjoyed. He even told Michelle she looked good! (everyone knows that’s Doc’s job. Also, on a Michele Tafoya related rant, ever notice how Paul Pierce calls her “baby” after every interview? It is hilarious. It sort of makes me wonder if they all talk about her in the locker room after games. I can just imagine them being like “Did you see Michele tonight? She looked fine. Yeah, I’d totally hit that.” etc. )

Kevin Garnett was breathing fire and spitting venom in game 6 (just as I predicted and hoped he would). He was making hard fall aways look easy, he was making jumpers over Pau Gasol’s ugly head look like he was wide open. That shot he took in the second quarter after he got fouled, the line drive off the glass? Amazing).

 

 

 

Doc Rivers proved EVERYONE wrong.

 

He might have made some mistakes; he might have made some strange instinctive decisions. But there is no doubt in my mind at all that Doc Rivers wanted nothing more than to win it all and the fact that he is so loved by his team just shows that there is definitely a lot more to him than meets the eye in some situations.

You can play the “well, the Celtics have 3 probable Hall of Famers, Doc didn’t need to do all that much to get them to perform” card. Fine. If you want to play it that way, that’s fine.

But what Doc DID do was:

1) Stick with a Sophomore Point Guard who EVERYBODY had questions about last season that sometimes looks like he IS the future of the Celtics.

2) Keep the respect of ALL his players even while not keeping a consistent rotation or guaranteeing any set amount of playing time for anyone. Try to imagine Stephon Marbury or Vince Carter or Shawn Marion playing on a team like that. What’s that? You can’t? Simply due to the horrific egos? Really? Oh. Ok. Cool.

3) Doc sold EVERYONE on the ubuntu concept. And it was beautiful to watch. This was a team that did EVERYTHING right even when they were doing things horribly wrong.

4) Develop the younger players by playing them when they were hot. Big Baby carried the Celtics through a regular season win in Detroit. Leon Powe carried the Celtics through a series of wins while KG was injured. There were ALWAYS young guys stepping up (even Gabe Pruitt got a little playing time at the end of the season).

Doc Rivers seems like a brilliant player manager (similar to Terry Francona) because he protects his young players and lets them develop and he lets his proven veterans be who they are. I really think that this type of balance, regardless of everything else, can result in great things.

And Paul Pierce with the Gatorade? Priceless. Even though The Truth has a sponsorship deal with POWERade. And speaking of POWERade, there has NEVER been a situation where one of your spokesmen getting a DUI (and generally being an asshole) has resulted in GOOD FORTUNE for a company. Before the playoffs began there were ads for POWERade all over Boston with Shawn Merriman, Ryan Howard and Carmello Anthony. After CMel got arrested? He was dropped from the ads, they changed the POWERade liquid color from blue to yellow and photo shopped Paul Pierce in CMel’s place. Bang, PERFECT! Also, why would you choose Carmello Anthony to begin with? The guy just seems like a giant asshole. I’ve never spent any time conversing with him, but I get a really bad impression based on what I’ve seen. He seems like he’s striving to be this generation’s Stephon Marbury, a guy who has a shitload of talent but cares more about himself than his team or doing what it takes to win or maybe he cares about both of those things but his ego and personality get in the way. That is why I say he should go to the Knicks. He can put up a double double every night, never have to worry about going to the playoffs and he won’t have to be a cancer to any team that is actually trying to improve.

End tangent.

 

 

 

 

On Wednesday, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett were on Letterman together. I think this was kind of a great idea (having two members of the Celtics as opposed to any single member) and they both did a really nice job. Ray Allen just comes off as the nicest guy in the world. I don’t know how you could possibly NOT like him as a person.

 

Me? I’ve always loved Ray Allen. Even when Bill Simmons was shitting on Danny Ainge last Summer when the Celts acquired him in exchange for their first rounder and some parts (Delonte, Wally – that ended up playing AGAINST the Celtics on Cleveland in the playoffs…it was a strange season…) because he (and not JUST him, but almost EVERYONE in the sports media) thought that Ray Ray was all done before the season even started.

They were wrong.

Ray Allen is just amazing. He’s a natural shooter. He can drive to the basket (just ask Sasha RayAllen’sBitch) and he has excellent ball handling skills.

Additionally, by all accounts, Ray Allen IS a great guy. he always conducts himself professionally. He is a sharp dresser. He is a surprisingly good actor and he can ball.

I loved Ray Allen when he was in Milwaukee, I loved him in Seattle (especially when he said that Kobe was a selfish bastard) and I was very excited when I heard he was coming to Boston. I think even without KG, the Celtics would have definitely been a playoff team with Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Al Jefferson. They probably would not have gotten past the second round with that lineup, but who knows (and while we’re talking about Al Jefferson, there is a guy who might be destined to play amazingly for years and be on a bad team. Maybe McHale can trade him back to the Celtics for Sam Cassell straight up…?) 

 

 

 

 

The parade was…Well, look at the pictures.

 

Leon Powe got a great reaction. Big Baby had his shirt off. Everybody had a cigar. It was incredible.

When Ray Allen came by, everybody was chanting “Shut-tles-worth!”.

Doc looked as happy as a father on the day of his son’s wedding.

It’s amazing how things can change so quickly. And yes, this was a trade-era championship. Yes, the Celtics did bring in all stars and yes, them winning a championship had A LOT to do with re-building in the off season.

But so what?

The Celtics had to move a lot of young guys with a lot of potential to get to this point. Danny Ainge still  had to make some swift free agent acquisitions even after the new three had come together. And furthermore, you can have all the stars in the world on your roster (look at the Karl Malone Lakers) but if they don’t click, if it doesn’t come together and if they aren’t all on the same page, you still aren’t going to win a championship (ahem, 2000′s Yankees).

Furthermore, the reason why these trades were so risky is that this team is clearly a time-sensitive team.

Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce will almost definitely all be retired by 2015 (if not 2014, 13, 12 or 11) and in addition, its not like guys in the NBA are age-proof. You get older. Your body cannot do a lot of the things it used to. They all have a couple years of prime basketball left (maybe 4 for Pierce, 2 for Ray and 3 for KG). If they didn’t win soon, they probably never would.

And another great side effect of having three legitimate All Stars on one team is that it makes EVERYONE around them not only play better as a player but also act better as a teammate.

Rajon Rondo was a big question mark coming into this season. After game 6 of the Finals? He looked like he could be quickly becoming one of the top 10 point guards in the NBA (qualifier: he still needs to improve his jumper and get some more range shooting, drive to the basket more fearlessly to get easy buckets and/or to draw fouls [imagine if Rondo got to the line 10 times a game? Paul Pierce needs to teach him how to tactfully take a soft hit and make it look like he got shanked] and improve his awareness [sometimes he throws it away or misses an open man]. But with all of that said, Rondo steals like Rickey Henderson, Rebounds like he’s 6’10″ and runs like he’s Chad Johnson. He’s got a lot of potential and I don’t think hanging out with three future Hall of Famers is going to make him any worse.

Big Baby was rookie. And even though he would make some mistakes, its clear that he has a lot of intensity, the determination to become a better player (the guy has lost like 60 lbs. since college) and the fearlessness of a proven veteran (even if he doesn’t always have the skill  of one).

Leon Powe is the same age as me. He looks like he’s in his 30′s. He’s fearless. He works hard. And he has a presence that let’s you know there ARE nights when he can carry the team (OFF THE BENCH MIND YOU!).

Tony Allen is kind of a fifty-fifty guy. He’s sometimes a great defender. Sometimes a liability on offense. Sometimes amazing. Sometimes not so good. If he can develop some consistency, he could be a solid bench option.

Kendrick Perkins…He is a legit big man. He pushes and shoves, rebounds like a beast and even hits the occasional spot up shot that seems  surprising even though it shouldn’t be. The guy can play Center.

And outside of the young guys, the veterans they brought in, Posey, House, PJ Brown, even Scott Pollard at the beginning of the season, all played quality basketball.

Posey MUST BE RE-SIGNED. The Celtics need that toughness. There is no better sub for Paul Pierce in the NBA. James Posey just imposes his will on guys defensively AND can shoot and aside from those two great elements, he’s just a bastard on the court. The guy will shove anyone after a whistle or play for that extra second. He’d the type of guy I would HATE if he were playing against my team, but on my team, he’s one of my favorites.

Eddie House should also be re-signed. He is a lights out shooter who stepped up big in certain crunch-time situations for the Celtics all year long. Remember that game in Charlotte the day after Thanksgiving where he somehow tipped and stole an inbound pass, got it to Ray Allen and Ray Ray hit the game winner with nothing left on the clock? Yeah. That’s what Eddie can do. He might not be the best ball handler, but he is a solid defender and always an offensive threat on the court.

Sam Cassell should probably not be resigned. He’s well past the wrong side of 30 and even though he hit a few nice shots for the Celtics, nothing was life-altering enough to make me think that they couldn’t live without him. However, I will give Sam credit for a few things, first, the guy is a three time champion, he always plays hard (even if it isn’t always great play) and he is never afraid to take big shots (even when he misses). The greatest thing about having Sam on the Celtics this season was definitely that he was on the bench with the guys to keep them intense and tell them how to play championship basketball. The guy is a natural coach. He seems to be someone who, even if he didn’t contribute so much on the court this post-season, he can definitely (and DID definitely) help any team on the bench. For these reasons, I think that the Celtics should shrewdly offer him an assistant coaching job for next season. Don’t let him go on bad terms. Give him a chance to continue to help the team in a great capacity. He clearly gets people pumped up and he LOVES to talk. I wouldn’t want to lose that element. Maybe Sam will decide that going out with a ring would be the perfect book-end to coming in with a ring (which he did in Houston in 1964…I mean…).

I don’t expect PJ Brown to play another season. Even though he did save the Celtics from the Cavs. He was more than they could have asked for in the playoffs. I think that PJ should probably ride off into the sunset with his championship ring (but if he wants to come back, shit, I’d take him!).

Scott Pollard is probably gone.

Brian Scalabrine doesn’t seem to be part of the long-term plan. But I will say that Scal had the funniest post-game interview following game 6. He really does seem like a good guy. If he goes I will certainly miss chanting “SCAL-A-BRIN-E” at the end of games to convince Doc to let him play a couple of minutes (which he did. Doc always gives the fans what they want when the Celtics are up by double digits and it is late in the fourth in the regular season).

 

 

 

After the parade I was a little let down. 

 

Another season of NBA basketball has ended.

And even though I have never in my life been able to watch and comprehend a Celtics team playing as well as this one did and I wanted them to win it all, part of me hope this season would never end.

Don’t get me wrong, a major part of me wanted to be able to go to sleep before 1:00 a.m. every night during the Playoffs (David Stern is a giant piece of garbage. By the way, during the Larry O’Brien trophy presentation when everyone was booing him [rightfully so] he said ‘oh, you’re saying Truth’, I would have tried to start a “No-One-Likes-You” chant, the only thing I fault the Game 6 crowd for NOT doing).

THIS is an exciting league again…and I’m not just saying that because the team I root for won it all.

Next year:

The Portland Trailblazers SHOULD be a force. That is a team of young, big, talented, hungry guys. Brandon Roy is just plain exciting. Greg Oden could be amazing. They should be something really special.

The New Orleans Hornets WILL BE even better. If that team makes any type of off season pick ups, they can improve. Chris Paul is just a phenom.

The Suns and Mavs will adjust somewhat and we’ll get to see if they start to get old or if start to grow. The Suns are the single team this season that absolutely embarrassed the Celtics (February 22nd). Both teams still have some really talented guys.

The Golden State drama will play out and we’ll see what happens. I love Baron Davis and I hope he sticks with them.

The Heat and Bulls could both be exponentially better next season. Both teams were NOT expected to be complete non-factors in 2007-08. I think both will rebound and would not be surprised to see both of them in the playoffs next year.

The Wizards were the only team that consistently flustered the Celtics and we will wait and see what happens with Gilbert Arenas, but they have some really good players.

The 76ers will continue to grow. Andre Igudola looks like someone who could be something special.

The Hawks made a nice run at the Celtics. If they get their act together, they could be a solid team all year. They have a lot of talent.

The Pistons are probably going to make some kind of deal. But if they retain the core of players they have (most of it) they’ll be in really good shape again. Did I ever mention that Rodney Stuckey is going to be HUGE?

The Magic have Dwight Howard. That guy is a monster. And they have Ron Jeremy coaching. What could go wrong?

The Lakers will probably win 60 games next season if Kobe returns and stays healthy along with a healthy Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them in the Finals again next season.

The Spurs are still the Spurs. Until Tim Duncan retires, they will be the Spurs. Even when Tim Duncan retires, they’ll still have a great point guard and Manu (who is somehow amazing almost all of the time).

The Raptors will attempt to sign every foreign-born free agent on the market.

The Sonics will hopefully stay in Seattle where they belong. And Kevin Durant will hopefully continue to improve and be one of the most exciting young players in the league.

Next season, I predict that the Celtics have the best record in the East, The Lakers have the best record in the west, the Timberwolves, Grizzlies, Kings, Bucks, Sonics and Knicks finish near the bottom and viewership improves substantially (but not because of ANYTHING David Stern does).

It is an exciting time for the NBA.

The best TEAM won this year.

And now I have to watch baseball for four months.