Cleveland's Response

This is why I thank God everyday I am not from the cursed city or a fan of any of the Cleveland sports teams.

Sparky Anderson (February 22, 1934 - November 10, 2010)

R.I.P George Lee "Sparky" Anderson, 2,194 career victories, 2 time Manager of the Year (1984, 1987), 4 NL Pennants (1970, 1972, 1975, 1976), 1 AL Pennant (1984), the first, manager to win a World Series in both leagues, and claimed 3 World Series Championships (1975, 1976, 1984). Always sad to lose a legend. 

Where Does Pierce Rank Among the Celtic Greats?

Wednesday night in an overtime win against the Milwaukee Bucks Paul Pierce reached a career milestone. Pierce eclipsed the 20,000 point mark joining Larry Bird and John Havlicek as the only Celtics to do so. Currently Pierce is 3rd all-time in scoring for the Celtics as well as being top 10 in games, minutes, assists, rebounds, steals, field goals made and attempted free throws made and attempted, and 3 point field goals made and attempted. He also a 4x All-NBA selection, 8x All-Star, NBA Champion, Finals MVP, and if you want to throw it out there, the reigning 3 point shootout champion. On most teams, numbers and accolades like these would put a player in consideration for the franchises greatest player, or at least top 3. However, we aren't talking about just any franchise, this is the Boston Celtics, arguably the greatest franchise in NBA history and one of the top 5  franchises in professional sports. So where does this surefire Hall of Famer rank with the greatest to wear the green and white?

Well it's tough to say. The Truth has certainly been the face of Celtic basketball the last decade, but he only has one championship. One championship is more than many H.O.F player's have accomplished, but in a franchise that is home to the only player with double-digit championships (Bill Russell, 11) one championship is standard for a Celtic all-star. However supporting cast has to be taken into account. Many Celtic greats have had a plethroa of talent, usually supported by 2-3 H.O.F players throughout their entire career. Pierce has the misfortune of joining the Celtics at their lowest point ever. Despite having little talent around him in 2002, Pierce managed to bring his team to the E.C. Finals where they bowed out to Jason Kidd in the Nets after six games. Since 2008 with the addition of Garnett and Allen and the emergence of Rondo, Pierce has made 2 Finals appearances, wining one, and is in contention for another this season.

Along with championships and statistics we must consider trademark games. Pierce has been the central figure in many iconic Celtic games and moments, such as the amazing 4th quarter comeback against the Nets in the 2002 EC Finals, the showdown with LeBron in game 7 of the second round in 2008, and limping back on the court and torching the Lakers, clinching game 1 in the 2008 Finals. However, none of these games and moments can measure up to Bird's steal in the 1987 EC Finals, his follow up lay in during the 1981 Finals, the triple OT Game 5 1976 Finals (considered by some to be the greatest game ever played) and of course Johnny Most uttering the famous words "HAVLICEK STOLE THE BALL!". 

So where does Paul Pierce in a Celtics top 10 players list? Here's my list.

10. Dennis Johnson

9. Robert Parish

8. Sam Jones

7. Paul Pierce

6. Dave Cowens

5. Kevin McHale

4. Bob Cousy

3. John Havlicek

2. Bill Russell

1. Larry Bird

The Giants May End Their Misery; Barry Never Will

As the end to another sports title drought seems to be on the horizon, I want to reflect back on the last time this franchise had a chance to clinch a World Series title. To do that we only need to turn back the clock 8 seasons ago. It was 2002 in the heart of the Barry Bonds steroid days. His Giants were leading 5-3 going into the bottom of the 8th inning. Borderline hall of fame manager (possibly earning his 3rd Manager of the Year Award and second in the NL this season) pulled then ace Russ Ortiz for Felix Rodriguez. This was only after Ortiz allowed back to back singles. Rodriguez made Baker the goat of the bay area as he proceeded to allowing hit after hit including a home run to the scrappy Scott Spezio. Then came in Rob Nen who threw kerosene on the already burning fire. Nen gave up a bomb to Erstad and all of a sudden the Angels (much like Texas in their first ever World Series) were up 6-5. Angels star closer Troy Percival then easily picked up the Anaheim save to tie the series. As these things go in sports blowing a clinching game 6 is never good. Let's just say game 7 allowed a California team to win the series and some veterans to get their first and only title. Yup, the then Anaheim Angels (now Los Angeles of Anaheim blah blah blah) win their first and only World Championship in their only appearance.

In no way am I saying I believe San Francisco will blow it again, in fact I thought the winner of last nights game 4 was going to go on to win the Fall Classic. However, I just wanted to point out what can happen when a franchise that has not won it all in a very long time is involved in a chance to get it done. Hell who am I kidding....? The sole reason for this post was so I could plaster this clip for all to see and reminisce on one of my favorite moments of the past decade in sports. Fast forward to about 3:10 and enjoy for about 5 seconds.

Chill out Boston, Miami. A lot can happen in 81 games.

Well this season got off to a rather disappointing start for Miami Heat (bandwagon jumper) fans. The game was sloppy, typical first game of the season play but it was clear who the better team was. For much of the game Miami looked like they didn't belong on the same court as the Celtics, totally of sync. What did you expect? Miami took the second and third best player in the league, throw in a top 10-15 player. All of whom who are the best players in the history of their franchises and threw them together on one team, then opened up against the last years Finals runners up.

This doesn't mean the Heat are going to suck, and it doesn't mean the Celtics are going to win the championship. In class today I heard some asshole in a Celtics cap say "I'm not even sure if Miami is going to make the play-offs." WHAT!? Of course their going to make the play-offs. In fact, they're going to have a top 3 seed. I mean does this moron realize what he just said? He said they Miami is probably going to win 40 or less games and that there are going to be 8 teams in the stronger, but still rather weak Eastern conference that are going to be better than them. If we have learned anything in recent years its that the first game has no bearing on what's going to happen in down the stretch. For example the 2007 Mavericks started off 0-4 and went 67-15, and the 2006 Heat started 2-3 then won 50 games won the title. The Celtics meandered through much of last season, then made it to game 7 of the Finals.

So I don't understand what the big deal is. A team's first game together was sloppy, and their opponent who have played together and dominated the league for 3 seasons beat them. Sekou Smith said in his blog on NBA.com that the Celtics gave the league an "instruction manual" on how to beat Miami. This makes two ridiculous assumptions.

1. The Miami Heat are going to play the way the did tonight for next 81+ games.
2. The Miami Heat were thought to be unbeatable until last night.

I think it was Kenny Smith who said "Does the dynasty start tonight?" As if the first game they are playing together decides how many championships they win. That's like saying the Lakers dynasty began mid-season in 2008 when they acquired Pau Gasol. Dynasties don't begin in the regular season, they begin when a team wins a title.

The point of this post is to explain how inane it is to make dynasty references for a team that hasn't played their first game and it as equally as inane to write that team off if they lose that game.

That being said, they should destroy Philly tonight

My Picks for the 2011 NBA Season.

This is one of the most highly anticipated seasons in NBA history. A season that could very well end with historic marks such as LeBron's first ring, or Kobe's second three-peat. All that off-season bullshit is over, it's time to ball out.


Here are my picks.

Play-off Seeding (Projected Record)

Eastern Conference                             

1. Miami (63-19)                                                 

2. Orlando (58-24)                                             

3. Boston   (56-26)                                              

4. Chicago  (53-28)                                             

5. Milwaukee (50-32)                                    

6. Atlanta (47-35)                                            

7. New York (43-39)                                             

8. Charlotte (42-40)                                           

Last one out: Philadelphia

Western Conference

1. Los Angeles (60-22)

2. Dallas (57-25)

3. Oklahoma City (56-26)

4. Portland (54-28)

5. Utah (53-29)

6. San Antonio (51-31)                        

7. Denver (50-32)

8. New Orleans (49-33)

Last one out: Golden State

Finals: Boston vs. Los Angeles

Champion: Los Angeles

Until someone knocks them off, L.A. and Boston are the two best teams in basketball. They are both deeper and more experienced than Miami, and they have dominated the league for the last three seasons. Miami will win eventually, but I don't think it will be this season. The Boston-3-Party Celtics are one of the best defensive units of all time, if not the best. The Lakers can match up well with the Heat. When you compare starting 5's the only advantage is LeBron James, and he's being defended by Ron Artest. Everyone seems to forget that L.A. has appeared in the last three Finals series and won the last two. Make no mistake, this is still Kobe's league.

Awards

Coach of the Year: Tom Thibadeau (CHI)

Runners up: Doc Rivers (BOS), Jerry Sloan (UTA)

That's right, I'm picking a rookie head coach. I expect the Bulls to be a 50 win team and if they are then C.O.Y should go to nobody else.

Rookie of the Year: John Wall (WAS)

Runners up: Blake Griffin (LAC), DeMarcus Cousins (SAC)

My gut tells me to go with Griffin, but the last  R.O.Y winners were Calapari bred point guards so I'm gonna go with that.

Most Improved: Michael Beasly (MIN)

Runners-up: Anthony Randolph (NY), Andrew Bogut (MIL)


Beasly is now playing for a team where he is probably the best player, and he was the #2 overall pick in 2008. This is his chance.

Sixth Man of the Year: Lamar Odom (LAL)

Runners up: Jason Terry (DAL), Manu Ginobili (SAS)

 

Maybe Bynum can come back strong from surgery and Odom can play this season in his regular role off the bench.

Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard (ORL)

Runners up: Josh Smith (ATL) and Gerald Wallace (CHA)

Winning this award 4-5 seasons in a row is not out of the question for Howard. As long as he rules the glass, he wins.

Most Valuable Player: Kevin Durant (OKC)

Runners up: Kobe Bryant (LAL), Dwight Howard (ORL)

I think if the Lakers have a mid-high 60 win season the award should go to Kobe. However, Durant is the heavy favorite. Dwight Howard is a dark horse candidate depending on how well Orlando does in the new Eastern Conference. Especially considering the fact that they play Miami four times.

Top 25 Players in the NBA

I'm going to quickly wrap up my position rankings with the top 25 overall players.




25. Danny Granger SF, Indiana Pacers
24. Jason Kidd PG, Dallas Mavericks
23. Russel Westbook PG, Oklahoma City Thunder
22. David Lee PF, Golden State Warriors
21. Josh Smith PF, Atlanta Hawks
20. Gerald Wallce SF, Charlotte Bobcats
19. Derrick Rose PG, Chicago Bulls
18. Joe Johnson SG, Atlanta Hawks
17. Steve Nash PG, Phoenix Suns
16. Amare Stoudemire PF, New York Knicks
15. Paul Pierce SF, Boston Celtics
14. Rajon Rondo PG, Boston Celtics
13. Brandon Roy SG, Portland Trail Blazers
12. Tim Duncan PF, San Antonio Spurs
11. Chris Bosh PF, Miami Heat
10. Derron Williams PG, Utah Jazz
9. Pau Gasol PF, Los Angeles Lakers
8. Dirk Nowitzki PF, Dallas Mavericks
7. Carmelo Anthony SF, Denver Nuggets
6. Chris Paul PG, New Orleans Hornets
5. Kevin Durant SF, Oklahoma City Thunder
4. Dwight Howard C, Orlando Magic
3. Dwayne Wade SG, Miami Heat
2. LeBron James SF, Miami Heat
1. Kobe Bryant SG, Los Angeles Lakers