Getty's Angle

What's Next?

2011-11-29T20:23:00.007-05:00

As was announced this past weekend, it looks as if the Celtics and the rest of the NBA will have a chance to run after all this winter.

So, now -- with both training camps and free agency expected to start on Dec. 9 -- Danny and the Cs have their work cut out for them, if they are going to take one more legit run at a ring before the window is closed, locked, and sealed shut.

The Celtics have only seven players under contract, and with a starting five of RA, KG, PP, Jermaine and Rondo (unless you are sold on today's trade rumors), what the front office ends up doing with the bench will probably be the biggest factor in determining if this team will have a shot in this shortened season.

Take Rondo's age out of that question and the rest of them are 36, 35, 34 and 33 respectively. So even with a shortened season, the starting five is going to need a good bench so their legs will be fresh come the playoffs -- and right now their bench is non-existent.

Will Delonte and Big Baby be re-signed? Well apparently there is a lot of frustration with Baby from last year. Jackie MacMullen had this to say about the Cs and Baby:

On Glen Davis’s struggles last season and if the Celtics will re-sign him: “You have wonder what was going on inside his head. He had a weight clause in his contract and he had to keep a certain weight. You take a picture of Big Baby from November to April and it’s pretty startling. … So what that tells me is, he had this weight clause and he kept missing it and he kept paying them out, fine after fine after fine. He drove them crazy over there, there’s no question about it.

“Shaq had some insight to that, they considered him somewhat of a selfish player trying to get his numbers in his free agent year. Clearly he did not live up the conditioning rules and regulations that they set for him. I think there’s a high level of frustration over there about Big Baby about what he did, or more appropriately, what he didn’t do for them, especially in the postseason. Now having said all of that, if you get him for dirt cheap, do you take him back? I don’t know how perturbed Doc Rivers is about him because I haven’t really asked him about Big Baby for a while. My gut is that he won’t be back.”

That doesn't sound too promising. As for Delonte -- I expect Danny to sign him. Ainge has always been a Delonte fan, so I think he will ink him to a short-term deal.

Jeff Green will likely be back. His legs and athleticism should play a huge role in helping the starters as long as he can put it together. As a restricted free agent, there is the possibility that a team could come in and overpay him and compensate the Celtics, but I don't see it after his spotty play last season.

Add the two rookies as other possibilities, though definitely not a given, I think it is going to be an extremely entertaining two weeks of front office moves. I'm looking forward to it.

While we wait for the agreement to be finalized -- here are some of the more interesting post-lockout links I've come across.

-- Peter May takes a look at the Cs next moves
-- Here's another Rondo for CP rumor
-- Celticsblog.com takes an extremely entertaining look at how Delonte spent the lockout...including seeking employment at Home Depot and BJs before getting a job at Regency Furniture Showrooms
-- Red's Army says the Celtics are taking a hard look at Tyson Chandler
-- Ray Allen has faith in the front office
-- The Herald is reporting that Leo Papile is no longer with the team
-- Put Steve Bulpett in the "Shortened Season Helps the Cs" camp
-- Gary Washburn looks at where the Cs bench stands right now
-- And finally, here is the annual washed-up veteran wants to play for the Cs story

I'll check in again soon as the picture for 2011-2012 gets a little less fuzzy.

On a final note -- it looks like the Red Sox have finally settled on a manager. He looks happy...

Long Winter Ahead...

2011-11-14T20:12:00.004-05:00

Well the NBA players and owners inability to find common ground has most likely killed the 2011-2012 season, and along with it any chance (however remote it might have been) of the Celtics new Big Three could capture a second ring together.

Peter May agrees, and says that -- besides stadium employees, restaurant workers and bar owners near NBA arenas, the Celtics and their almost shut & locked window may be the most hurt by this mess.

I'm not going to sit here and type about the details of the negotiations that no one wants to read. I am not going to sit here and tell you one side is more at fault than the other. I am not going to because you don't care, and quite frankly, I really don't know all the info...

I merely read just enough to get an idea of what is happening...and I read enough to realize that it is probable that I won't be able to partake in a long-standing winter, family tradition....Watching the Celtics.

And I might be in the minority here...but I am definitely going to miss it.

Time to Pipe In

2011-10-12T20:47:00.007-04:00

Last time I posted...nearly a month ago...I mentioned that I would be piping back in as September continued to heat up.

Well it did heat up...in the form of an implosion. And I just didn't want to relive the mess that the Red Sox season became.

Now, a few weeks following the greatest September collapse in MLB history, the Sox look to be heading into blow-it-up-and-start-over mode.

Granted, being the second-highest spending team in the league, starting over in Boston isn't quite the same as starting over in, say, Pittsburgh.

All that being said, so far the Sox brass has fired Tito and in doing so they have also been starting a bit of a smear campaign to sully the reputation of arguably one of the most successful coaches in Sox history as he leaves town.

This following is an excerpt from a Gordon Edes article from ESPN.com on how Sox management is making a habit of ending things poorly:

He is through with Boston, even if "team sources" may not be through skewering him. Francona in the end took it from all sides -- from the players who violated his trust, from the players who did not intervene like they do on winning teams and call the miscreants to account, to the highest levels of management whose sense of decency apparently went on hiatus at the end.

"I think people are starting to recognize there's a pattern here. All of a sudden it becomes personal, especially with guys who have had so much success in that uniform," Garciaparra said on "SportsCenter" Wednesday.

"If we want to go down the list ... now we're hearing about Terry Francona, before Terry ... it was Johnny Damon, before him you had Derek Lowe, you had Pedro Martinez, you hadManny Ramirez, you had myself, then you had Mo Vaughn, then you had Roger Clemens, then you had Jim Rice, Carl Yastrzemski, and oh, by the way, one Ted Williams.

"So the list is pretty good, pretty prestigious, but it seems to happen. So there's a pattern. Is it all these guys that are bad or is there something more here?"

_____________________________________

A lot has been written in recent weeks about the behavior of the players...most notably this article today in the Globe. This indicates to me that it was probably time for Tito to move on...but that doesn't change what he accomplished here in this town. And it sure doesn't mean you should kick him in the nuts on his way out.

Stay Classy John Henry.

Now the latest tonight is that it looks as though Henry and crew are reportedly are letting GM Theo walk to the North Side of Chicago.

Let the piling on begin.

Me, I don't get it. Here we have someone who was instrumental in bringing the first championship to this town for the first time in 86 years in 2004, and then doing it again a few years later.

While Theo's free agent signing track record is less than stellar, he has shown a knack for building up the farm system and developing talent.

All the Theo haters better be careful what they wish for...as the grass is not always greener. People may one day soon look back at what the Sox have become and long for the Theo Epstein days.

One Game Does Not a Season Make

2011-09-13T20:41:00.005-04:00

Sure, Brady threw for 500-plus yards.

Sure, offensively, the Patriots looked, in a word, awesome.

Sure, despite giving up a quick score to the Dolphins, the Pats answered right back on their way to a convincing 38-24 win.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves, as it seems some local yahoos have. Our collective memories can't be that short, right? If you remember correctly the Patriots marched through the regular season last year to the tune of a 14-2 record, only to see it all crash down against the Jets.

Remember that game? Remember the frustration of the performance as Brady looked like he had happy feet all game long in the pocket?

I do -- obviously -- and I can't shake it.

Don't get me wrong, Brady is quite obviously one of the best there is -- and every team is entitled to getting out-coached and out-played on any given day -- especially the playoffs. But I am not quite ready to start the printing press on Super Bowl Champs t-shirts just yet.

The Pats look good. No, strike that. They looked great offensively.

Defensively, they looked OK and made some big plays when they had to...but they also gave up a ton of yards (Chad Henne - 30 of 49 for 400-plus yards).

Next week the Pats come home to take on the (sing it with me) S-A-N ... D-I-E-G-O...SUPERCHARGERS, who many are predicting to take the AFC West. Let's get a few more games under the belt before we start popping the champagne.

---------

While one Boston team is starting things out, another is struggling to finish it out. So far in September, the Sox look more like the team that started the season 2-10, while the Rays have looked like world beaters. But for those of you measuring the tallest points on the Tobin Bridge in preparation for the collapse, take heed to this piece from Jonah Keri, who writes for my new favorite site, Bill Simmons' Grantland.com.

Just a solid piece breaking down the likelihood of the Rays continued surge and the Sox continued swoon. One of the better parts of the column:

No team has ever squandered a lead of 7.5 games or more in September. Yes, the Sox have seen their 9.5-game cushion on Tampa Bay shrink to three games in just 12 days. But this isn't horseshoes or nuclear war. No points are awarded for coming close. If the Sox merely play .500 ball the rest of the way, the Rays need to go 11-5 (.688) just to set up a tiebreaker.

The schedule says that won't happen. Seven of Boston's final 16 games come against the Orioles; the Rays have just two games left against them (and seven against the loaded Yankees). Baltimore owns the worst record in the American League, second-worst in the majors. Last night's O's lineup included Matt Angle, Kyle Hudson, and Robert Andino. The Red Sox could send a 51-year-old Oil Can Boyd out against the Orioles and they'd still win. Steamroll the O's as expected, then win a handful of other games, and you force the Rays to play ostensibly perfect baseball for the next 2½ weeks.

Regression is coming. Everything that could have gone wrong for Boston has gone wrong. Dustin Pedroia, one of the best all-around players in the league, has gone ice-cold. He's 3-for-34 in his past eight games, with nine strikeouts and one extra-base hit. He's hitless in his past 13 at-bats with runners in scoring position. The recent RISP woes run deeper than that: The Sox are hitting just .228 in that situation over their past eight games, including a 1-for-15 stretch against the Rays.

These things don't last. Over the long haul, there's no such thing as a team that's clutch or unclutch. Balls will start dropping in for hits, and runs will start scoring. Even without the ailing Kevin Youkilis, the Red Sox feature a loaded lineup, second only to the Yankees in runs scored. MVP candidate Jacoby Ellsbury fronts one of the best foursomes in baseball alongside Pedroia, Adrian Gonzalez, and David Ortiz. Even the team's role players, guys like Josh Reddick (.355wOBA), Jarrod Saltalamacchia (.337), and Marco Scutaro (.331), have been positive contributors. Slumps happen, but so do bounce-backs. The smart money says this team will mash down the stretch.

Meanwhile, the Rays are giving playing time to green rookies Brandon Guyer and Jose Lobaton, sending Casey Kotchman out to reenact the Dead Ball Era against lefties and sending Sean Rodriguez out to hit like a pitcher against righties. B.J. Upton just had a stretch in which he reached base a team-record nine times in a row, despite using a plate approach that consists of swinging at the first pitch every time and trusting the pitcher to have no brains whatsoever. This is a team with half a lineup, playing over its head. Plus Kyle Farnsworth's hurt, leaving behind a thin bullpen.

Things never look worse than when you're slumping and never better than when you're streaking. It won't last. You've got this, Red Sox.

That's it for tonight -- I'll be back as September heats up.

Introducing David Thorne

2011-08-21T00:45:00.006-04:00

OK...so I am back again.

Since I have been lacking creativity lately...I've decided to focus in on someone who has plenty to carry the load. His name is David Thorne...and according to Wikipedia (which is always soooo trustworthy)...he is an Australian humorist (and graphic artist, I believe) who gained notoriety for trying to pay an overdue bill with a drawing of a seven-legged spider. The exchange spread virally via email and Facebook, etc...and led to a huge amount of visitors to his website.

The guy messes with people via email and the Internet tremendously. Some of his posts have brought tears to my eyes from laughing -- so much so, that I figured I'd share a few of my favorites here with you. But these are just a few...make sure to go to his site and click through a bunch of his posts...you will not be disappointed. This guy is hilarious.

(Also -- these may seem long...but if you read from top down...it goes by fast. Don't give up on it).

Example #1: I cried laughing half way through this one.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.15am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Poster

Hi
I opened the screen door yesterday and my cat got out and has been missing since then so I was wondering if you are not to busy you could make a poster for me. It has to be A4 and I will photocopy it and put it around my suburb this afternoon.

This is the only photo of her I have she answers to the name Missy and is black and white and about 8 months old. missing on Harper street and my phone number.
Thanks Shan.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.26am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,

That is shocking news. Luckily I was sitting down when I read your email and not half way up a ladder or tree. How are you holding up? I am surprised you managed to attend work at all what with thinking about Missy out there cold, frightened and alone... possibly lying on the side of the road, her back legs squashed by a vehicle, calling out "Shannon, where are you?"

Although I have two clients expecting completed work this afternoon, I will, of course, drop everything and do whatever it takes to facilitate the speedy return of Missy.

Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.37am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Poster

yeah ok thanks. I know you dont like cats but I am really worried about mine. I have to leave at 1pm today.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.17am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,

I never said I don't like cats. Once, having been invited to a party, I went clothes shopping beforehand and bought a pair of expensive G-Star boots. They were two sizes too small but I wanted them so badly I figured I could just wear them without socks and cut my toenails very short. As the party was only a few blocks from my place, I decided to walk. After the first block, I lost all feeling in my feet. Arriving at the party, I stumbled into a guy named Steven, spilling Malibu & coke onto his white Wham 'Choose Life' t-shirt, and he punched me. An hour or so after the incident, Steven sat down in a chair already occupied by a cat. The surprised cat clawed and snarled causing Steven to leap out of the chair, slip on a rug and strike his forehead onto the corner of a speaker; resulting in a two inch open gash. In its shock, the cat also defecated, leaving Steven with a wet brown stain down the back of his beige cargo pants. I liked that cat.

Attached poster as requested.

Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.24am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah thats not what I was looking for at all. it looks like a movie and how come the photo of Missy is so small?

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.28am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,

It's a design thing. The cat is lost in the negative space.

Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.33am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Thats just stupid. Can you do it properly please? I am extremely emotional over this and was up all night in tears. you seem to think it is funny. Can you make the photo bigger please and fix the text and do it in colour please. Thanks.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.46am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,

Having worked with designers for a few years now, I would have assumed you understood, despite our vague suggestions otherwise, we do not welcome constructive criticism. I don't come downstairs and tell you how to send text messages, log onto Facebook and look out of the window. I am willing to overlook this faux pas due to you no doubt being preoccupied with thoughts of Missy attempting to make her way home across busy intersections or being trapped in a drain as it slowly fills with water. I spent three days down a well once but that was just for fun.

I have amended and attached the poster as per your instructions.

Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.59am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

This is worse than the other one. can you make it so it shows the whole photo of Missy and delete the stupid text that says missing missy off it? I just want it to say lost.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.14am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.21am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah can you do the poster or not? I just want a photo and the word lost and the telephone number and when and where she was lost and her name. Not like a movie poster or anything stupid. I have to leave early today. If it was your cat I would help you. Thanks.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.32am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Awww

Dear Shannon,

I don't have a cat. I once agreed to look after a friend's cat for a week but after he dropped it off at my apartment and explained the concept of kitty litter, I kept the cat in a closed cardboard box in the shed and forgot about it. If I wanted to feed something and clean faeces, I wouldn't have put my mother in that home after her stroke. A week later, when my friend came to collect his cat, I pretended that I was not home and mailed the box to him. Apparently I failed to put enough stamps on the package and he had to collect it from the post office and pay eighteen dollars. He still goes on about that sometimes, people need to learn to let go.

I have attached the amended version of your poster as per your detailed instructions.

Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.47am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Awww

Thats not my cat. where did you get that picture from? That cat is orange. I gave you a photo of my cat.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.58am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Awww

I know, but that one is cute. As Missy has quite possibly met any one of several violent ends, it is possible you might get a better cat out of this. If anybody calls and says "I haven't seen your orange cat but I did find a black and white one with its hind legs run over by a car, do you want it?" you can politely decline and save yourself a costly veterinarian bill.

I knew someone who had a basset hound that had its hind legs removed after an accident and it had to walk around with one of those little buggies with wheels. If it had been my dog I would have asked for all its legs to be removed and replaced with wheels and had a remote control installed. I could charge neighbourhood kids for rides and enter it in races. If I did the same with a horse I could drive it to work. I would call it Steven.

Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.07pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Please just use the photo I gave you.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.22pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.34pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

I didnt say there was a reward. I dont have $2000 dollars. What did you even put that there for? Apart from that it is perfect can you please remove the reward bit. Thanks Shan.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.42pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.51pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Can you just please take the reward bit off altogether? I have to leave in ten minutes and I still have to make photocopies of it.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.56pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 1.03pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Fine. That will have to do.

Example #2: This one made my stomach hurt.

From: Simon Edhouse
Date: Monday 16 November 2009 2.19pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Logo Design

Hello David,

I would like to catch up as I am working on a really exciting project at the moment and need a logo designed. Basically something representing peer to peer networking. I have to have something to show prospective clients this week so would you be able to pull something together in the next few days? I will also need a couple of pie charts done for a 1 page website. If the deal goes ahead there will be some good money in it for you.

Simon

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 16 November 2009 3.52pm
To: Simon Edhouse
Subject: Re: Logo Design

Dear Simon,

Disregarding the fact that you have still not paid me for work I completed earlier this year despite several assertions that you would do so, I would be delighted to spend my free time creating logos and pie charts for you based on further vague promises of future possible payment. Please find attached pie chart as requested and let me know of any changes required.

Regards, David.

From: Simon Edhouse
Date: Monday 16 November 2009 4.11pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Logo Design

Is that supposed to be a fucking joke? I told you the previous projects did not go ahead. I invested a lot more time and energy in those projects than you did. If you put as much energy into the projects as you do being a dickhead you would be a lot more successful.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 16 November 2009 5.27pm
To: Simon Edhouse
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Logo Design

Dear Simon,

You are correct and I apologise. Your last project was actually both commercially viable and original. Unfortunately the part that was commercially viable was not original, and the part that was original was not commercially viable.

I would no doubt find your ideas more 'cutting edge' and original if I had traveled forward in time from the 1950's but as it stands, your ideas for technology based projects that have already been put into application by other people several years before you thought of them fail to generate the enthusiasm they possibly deserve. Having said that though, if I had traveled forward in time, my time machine would probably put your peer to peer networking technology to shame as not only would it have commercial viability, but also an awesome logo and accompanying pie charts.

Regardless, I have, as requested, attached a logo that represents not only the peer to peer networking project you are currently working on, but working with you in general.

Regards, David.

From: Simon Edhouse
Date: Tuesday 17 November 2009 11.07am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Logo Design

You just crossed the line. You have no idea about the potential this project has. The technology allows users to network peer to peer, add contacts, share information and is potentially worth many millions of dollars and your short sightedness just cost you any chance of being involved.

From: David Thorne
Date: Tuesday 17 November 2009 1.36pm
To: Simon Edhouse
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Logo Design

Dear Simon,

So you have invented Twitter. Congratulations. This is where that time machine would definitely have come in quite handy.

When I was about twelve, I read that time slows down when approaching the speed of light so I constructed a time machine by securing my father's portable generator to the back of my mini-bike with rope and attaching the drive belt to the back wheel. Unfortunately, instead of traveling through time and finding myself in the future, I traveled about fifty metres along the footpath at 200mph before finding myself in a bush. When asked by the nurse filling out the hospital accident report "Cause of accident?" I stated 'time travel attempt' but she wrote down 'stupidity'.

If I did have a working time machine, the first thing I would do is go back four days and tell myself to read the warning on the hair removal cream packaging where it recommends not using on sensitive areas.

I would then travel several months back to warn myself against agreeing to do copious amounts of design work for an old man wielding the business plan equivalent of a retarded child poking itself in the eye with a spoon, before finally traveling back to 1982 and explaining to myself the long term photographic repercussions of going to the hairdresser and asking for a haircut exactly like Simon LeBon's the day before a large family gathering.

Regards, David.

From: Simon Edhouse
Date: Tuesday 17 November 2009 3.29pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Logo Design

You really are a fucking idiot and have no idea what you are talking about. The project I am working on will be more successful than twitter within a year. When I sell the project for 40 million dollars I will ignore any emails from you begging to be a part of it and will send you a postcard from my yaght. Ciao.

From: David Thorne
Date: Tuesday 17 November 2009 3.58pm
To: Simon Edhouse
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Logo Design

From: Simon Edhouse
Date: Tuesday 17 November 2009 4.10pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Logo Design

Anyone else would be able to see the opportunity I am presenting but not you. You have to be a fucking smart arse about it. All I was asking for was a logo and a few pie charts which would have taken you a few fucking hours.

From: David Thorne
Date: Tuesday 17 November 2009 4.25pm
To: Simon Edhouse
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Logo Design

Dear Simon

Actually, you were asking me to design a logotype which would have taken me a few hours and fifteen years experience. For free. With pie charts. Usually when people don't ask me to design them a logo, pie charts or website, I, in return, do not ask them to paint my apartment, drive me to the airport, represent me in court or whatever it is they do for a living. Unfortunately though, as your business model consists entirely of "Facebook is cool, I am going to make a website just like that", this non exchange of free services has no foundation as you offer nothing of which I wont ask for.

Regards, David.

From: Simon Edhouse
Date: Tuesday 17 November 2009 4.43pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Logo Design

What the fuck is your point? Are you going to do the logo and charts for me or not?

From: David Thorne
Date: Tuesday 17 November 2009 5.02pm
To: Simon Edhouse
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Logo Design

From: Simon Edhouse
Date: Tuesday 17 November 2009 5.13pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Logo Design

Do not ever email me again.

From: David Thorne
Date: Tuesday 17 November 2009 5.19pm
To: Simon Edhouse
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Logo Design

Ok. Good luck with your project. If you need anything let me know.

Regards, David.

From: Simon Edhouse
Date: Tuesday 17 November 2009 5.27pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Logo Design

Get fucked.

Example #3: This is what brought on one of the 10 complaints filed against him by a co-worker in a six-month time span. Simply hilarious...

From: Simon Dempsey
Date: Thursday 31 March 2011 12.37pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: No Subject

Did you draw Justin Biebers face on all the images in my stock images folder and save them over my files?

From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 31 March 2011 12.44pm
To: Simon Dempsey
Subject: Re: No Subject

Yes.

From: Simon Dempsey
Date: Thursday 31 March 2011 12.49pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: No Subject

What the fuck for? What are you even doing in my files?

From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 31 March 2011 12.56pm
To: Simon Dempsey
Subject: Re: Re: Re: No Subject

I didn't think you would notice. I am meant to be laying out a business card for a client so was looking for a distraction and realised I can open and save files from your computer over the network.

From: Simon Dempsey
Date: Thursday 31 March 2011 1.05pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: No Subject

But what did you put Justin Biebers face on them for dickhead? I was going to use them for something.

From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 31 March 2011 1.12pm
To: Simon Dempsey
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: No Subject

You can still use them. Justin Bieber is very popular.

From: Simon Dempsey
Date: Thursday 31 March 2011 1.27pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: No Subject

Stay off my computer and you better have a backup of the original images. Do you have a backup?

From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 31 March 2011 1.31pm
To: Simon Dempsey
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: No Subject

No.

From: Simon Dempsey
Date: Thursday 31 March 2011 1.43pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: No Subject

Right dickhead. I'm making a formal complaint.

I Lied...

2011-08-15T21:16:00.002-04:00

Didn't make it back last week....and the vacation got pushed out a week. I'm just walking in the door from a very long day. I will be back posting later this week. This time I really mean it.

Hiatus Still Going Strong

2011-08-09T21:12:00.004-04:00

That's right. Still slacking. I apologize. I will be back later this week...just need to wrap up some work before I head on vacation, and then I will have some time to jump back in.

Summer Hiatus

2011-07-18T00:29:00.003-04:00

Another month...another bout of slacking. Not that there has been that much to say since the Bs won the Stanley Cup.

Since that day...the weeks have flown by with a lot of work, a going away party for Gib, Fourth of July Weekend, and I just wrapped it up with a tremendous week down the Cape with the immediate family, aunts, uncles, Gammies, and cousins.

We couldn't have asked for a better vacation week. Sunny every day and hitting the beach six out of seven days. Some good pics will follow shortly.

As for sports...not much has changed. NBA and NFL lockouts, the Sox still rolling...and basically nothing to report.

I'll check back in later this week with some creativity once I dry out from the week off.

Father's Day Catch Up

2011-06-19T21:23:00.007-04:00

So an incredibly busy two weeks of work (followed by one more upcoming) has kept me off Getty's Angle once again at a time where I normally would have been writing up a storm. Besides having to be at a company meeting for most of last week...I also had to exit that meeting, get on a plane and fly to Germany for a day before flying home.

Not that big of a deal, considering I have done these types of trips often lately...however, it was a BIG DEAL, because it so happened to be Wednesday night (Game 7) when I had to be on a plane crossing the Atlantic. Pissed, doesn't describe it.

So now, on a Father's Day night (and after a voicemail from Leo basically calling me out for slacking), I finally have a chance to sit down and put out a few thoughts on all that has happened.

As you all know by now, the Bruins capped off an incredible run with a 4-0 shutout of Vancouver in Game 7 to bring home the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1972. Among a sea of more than 1 million fans, the team and the Cup paraded through the streets of Boston, and finished off the outpouring of good will with a 15 minute pre-game ceremony today at Fenway.

What more can you say than has already been said about this run. Here was team that had a good, yet uneven regular season. They seemed to win 4 out 5, and then go out and lose 3 out of 4 on a regular basis. Heading into the playoffs, I don't think there were a large majority of fans who were confident this was the team that was going to end a nearly four-decade long drought.

But they did.

They did so by playing tougher and more together whenever their collective backs were against the wall. They did so by rallying around each other and taking offense to even the smallest slight by an opponent. They used these slights -- whether it was the biting of a finger or a crushing blindside hit -- to go out and play with a renewed sense of vengeance each game. They did so because they had a 37-year-old goalie in Tim Thomas that -- though unconventional -- was totally unflappable...and was tougher than nails in all aspects of the game.

When looking at these two clubs, the heavily favored Canucks looked to be the better team on paper. But, as cliched as it sounds: paper doesn't measure heart. In the four games that the Bs won, they did so because they punished the Canucks every time they touched the puck, and eventually it got into their heads. If you touched the puck...there was going to be a price to pay.

This team won not with a collection of superstars, but with a deep roster of guys who simply wanted it more than the next guy...right down to each player.

It is truly an amazing time to be a Boston sports fan. The Celtics gave it a good run on old legs, the Red Sox are the hottest team in baseball, and the Bruins are drinking 100K champagne from the Cup.

Who would of thought that as of today, the Patriots would be the Boston team with the longest drought since winning a championship: 2005.

Come on Coach Bill...what are you waiting for?

One for the Ages

2011-05-28T00:58:00.006-04:00

In one of the most entertaining 1-0 hockey games you might ever watch...The Boston Bruins hung on tonight to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning to move on to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1990.

This is truly a moment that the longtime hardcore Bs fans have been waiting for...and it is much deserved.

21 years in the making, this Bs team has battled inconsistency all year long, before finding their groove in the playoffs -- mainly behind 37-year-old netminder Tim Thomas.

Thomas recorded the shutout when it was needed most, at home, in a Game 7 with it all on the line, and a raucous hometown crowd at his back.

The Bs played an almost flawless game. Keeping it 5-on-5 the entire game, and not giving the (rightfully-so) vaunted Tampa Bay power play any chance to do any damage.

21 years since they got here...38 since they last brought the Cup home.

The powerhouse of the West -- Vancouver Canucks are up next. The Bs will have to head across the continent for Wednesday night's game...and they have their worked cut out for them. Vancouver has been a wrecking ball all season long and it is going to take four more games like tonight out of the next seven in order to see the Cup makes its way back to Boston for the first time in nearly four decades.

The task seems daunting, but something tells me this team just might be up to the challenge.

End of The Run

2011-05-18T20:42:00.009-04:00

The Celtics wrapped up their season last week in disappointing fashion, but true to form, the team played much like it did the entire second half of the season.

One can point to the trade. Others can point to the aging roster. You could say Shaq was the X-factor that never formed, or you could say that certain players didn't show up (read: Baby) and that led to their downfall.

Doesn't really matter now does it. Wrap it up. The run is done.

Mark Murphy of the Herald gave out the Cs playoff grades this week. Can't say I disagree.

Bill Simmons had this to say in reference to the Cs trade and their subsequent collapse:

"I thought the Celtics had lost their identity, that they believed in two things: their overall toughness, and Doc Rivers' concept of ubuntu (togetherness). The trade undermined both beliefs. They didn't know what they were."

If you ask me...I know they don't have a lot of roster flexibility...but I think Danny should move to blow it up. If not, they need to make some drastic moves that would involve moving more of their core. A year down the road, I don't think this team -- even if healthy and with a refurbished bench, is going to be able to play a seven-game series against the younger, more athletic teams. Not as long as KG, PP, and RA continue to log the minutes they are.

It has also become much more obvious how important it is for Rondo to develop a consistent 10- to 15-foot game. Otherwise, why wouldn't you play off him EVERY game. Just clog the middle and dare him to shoot. Teams can play a zone against the Cs when he is on the floor and double the shooters. And as Ray and PP get older and start missing...it could get really ugly.

Don't get me wrong. I am not blaming Rondo at all. He is a dynamic player and a big piece -- but there are a lot of little things wrong with this team. Rondo's inability to shoot; Garnett's on-again, off-again allergy to being anywhere near the paint; PPs need to handle the ball and dribble the shot clock down to 7 before deciding what to do; Jeff Green's inability to wake up and use his tools; no consistent big men, etc....

I'd say a lot of things would have to go the Cs way in order for them to win another championship with this core group...and I don't know if the chances of all those things going right are high.

One last link...Bob Ryan agrees with me.

Ouch!

2011-05-09T00:17:00.003-04:00

Going into Game 3, I was thinking the Cs really have a tough road ahead of them against this Miami Heat team. They needed a blowout, and they needed to get inside the Heats' collective head.

So I am watching the game Saturday night, and the Cs are up big, and I am thinking..."ok...they might be all right." Then...the next thing I know I see Rondo -- who by the way is probably the Celtics most important player -- get pulled to the ground and seemingly break his arm.

I mean, this was Joe Theisman-like. It made my stomach turn watching it. And the replay after replay didn't make me feel any better. I immediately think that the end of the season is near.

But what happens a mere 5 to 10 minutes later? Rondo comes back out to finish the game obviously favoring the arm...and the Cs go on to win in convincing fashion.

But was it enough. The Heat did not look dejected and the Cs still have a lot of question marks. Tomorrow night's game will help define the way this series will play out. Can they blow them out again? If so, we got ourselves a series and a real shot. Will Rondo's dislocated elbow become a factor? Will Shaq continue to look like he is 60 years old trying to play basketball? Will PP play the same end-to-end, wire-to-wire defense on King James as he did Saturday night? Will Jeff Green be a spark plug once again? Will KG continue to make Chris Bosh his bitch? We will have to wait and see.

I am hoping so. The window is not only just about shut on this team, the locks are turning as well. The Celtics need to come out with another statement game. If they don't, it will be over soon. Then all I'll have left is to sit an hope Tim Thomas can continue to stand on his head, and the Sox continue to right the ship.

As my brother-in-law Meech says. We only need one championship this year. Two, three or four would be nice. But one is all we need.

Turnarounds

2011-04-26T23:25:00.003-04:00

Fresh back from a family excursion in the '05 Trailblazer to the Sunshine State, I find myself just starting to get back into the groove.

Finishing up 23-straight hours in a car is one thing, but when you take on the "awake time" it really starts to sound crazy. Sheryl and I were awake (barring short 20- to 30-min catnaps) from 7 am Easter morning until 11:30 Monday night.

Needless to say, this morning alarm was not welcome. In fact, it was downright hated.

So while I am still turning it around from our vacation and travels, I figured I could at least comment -- albeit briefly -- on the turnarounds so far on the Boston sports scene.

-- Since the Sox were the last subject I spoke of, let's start there. How about that starting pitching? Didn't see that sort of thing coming, now did I. In fact all I've complained about was the uncertainties on the staff. Let's hope it stays that way.

-- The Cs -- well the Celtics do seem to have switch that they are capable of flipping come playoff time. I guess it shouldn't be that surprising -- they did it last year to the tune of almost hoisting 18. All that being said, the Cs still took the brooms out against the Knicks. Not Miami. Not Chicago. And....it was a pretty banged up Knicks team at that. Let's see what happens next.

-- The Bruins rattled back from an 0-2 hole to regain command of the series at 3-2, that is -- up until tonight when the Habs made it a Best of One series. As my nephew pointed out tonight. The Bs are 0-3 in their last three Game 7s. So you can only hope for the best and expect the worst. Especially when their opponent is Montreal.

That's it for now, I need to continue catching up on my zzzzzzzzzzzs. (BTW: the pic is of J chilling by the pool on the last day before the dreaded trip back. In case you were wondering. The tan runs in the family.)

Surprises and Questions

2011-04-06T23:11:00.006-04:00

Would you ever think that a guy with just one Final Four team in his NCAA tourney pool could win the whole thing?

Nope...me neither.

But that is exactly what happened to me. Well not exactly -- I tied for the win. You know what the worst part about this is? The fact that both of us knew we had won before the Final Four even began.

That's when you know there were a lot, I mean A LOT of upsets.

So while I may be a hundred bucks richer, I am still not feeling all that good about the happenings around Boston lately.

The Sox are off to to their worst start in 15 years, standing at 0-5, and while there is a long way to go, and plenty of good teams go through 4-, 5- and 6-game losing streaks throughout the course of a season...It just isn't fun to watch when the expectations are pushing your shoulders down.

One thing that continues to concern me (as mentioned in the pre-season post) is the starting pitching. You know a team with this lineup is going to be fine over the course of 162. But you could look at this starting rotation and say there are 4 out of 5 serious question marks.

-- Can Beckett return to the form of three years ago? On top of that -- will his fastball ever see the mid-90s again? Does he like anyone in the media -- or anyone for that matter?

-- Can John Lackey -- a guy who wasn't all that good when everyone said he was good...be good enough to be a number 2 or 3 in this town? Will the "John Lackey Face" become a commonplace term among the faithful reflecting the look he gives whenever something doesn't go his way -- or most especially -- after giving up a homerun?

-- Dice-K? (Seriously...that's it. The guy is one big question mark.)

-- Buchholz -- can he put it all together again this year (and stay healthy)...If so, this question mark goes away fast. He had a great year last year with a 17-7 record and sub-3 ERA...but he does need to prove it was no fluke and he has longevity.

There you have it. My biggest sports concerns today. That's right -- not one Celtics reference in this post (oh, Goddammit -- I almost made it the whole way.)

Network....We Have A Problem.

2011-03-28T00:14:00.003-04:00

Sorry for the lack of posting. I have been having Internet problems at home over the last few weeks where my wireless router seems to not want to work at night. During the day, no problem. At night...no dice.

This is a problem for the Blog, as the only time I have any time to post is at night.

Apparently, I need a new router, but I have been too lazy to go get one and set it up.

Anyway, a few thoughts as I look back at a few weeks of happenings.

-- March Madness has always been one of my favorite sporting events of the year. What's not to love? Nothing but non-stop basketball, Cinderella Stories, pools and bragging rights. I have always been a big college hoops fan and for the most part followed it closely. Until recently. Not sure what got in the way, but leading into this year's tourney -- I could count the amount of games I have watched on one hand. So when it came time to make my picks...I was scrambling blindly. I was choosing teams based on what I knew two years ago -- which is why my Final Four included Florida, UConn, Kansas, and North Carolina. Last night I logged onto my tourney to see where I stood, and I was surprised to find out I was in first place. Last night.

Today, I watched NC and Kansas both get bumped, and my pool dreams go down the drain. So much for that. I guess I better start watching again next November.

-- The Red Sox kick off their 2011 campaign this week and while most are picking the Sox to be in the World Series -- I still see two major question marks. Beckett and Lackey. Both these guys blew last year, and if they do so again this year, I don't care if 1-9 hit 400...they don't have a shot. One of these guys has to step up and return to form...and I really hope it is Beckett. Mainly because I never thought Lackey was that good when he was good.

-- The Cs have really struggled over the last few weeks, blowing games to lesser opponents, battling chemistry issues as they orient the new guys, and -- for the most part -- looking disinterested all too often. Doc has called them "soft" and "selfish" during the last week. Am I worried? Not so much. I think this team will be fine in the playoffs. Anytime you have Ray, PP, KG and Rondo as your core, competitiveness is not going to be an issue. And I think that has been the biggest problem so far. They look bored. They are biding their time waiting for the playoffs to start and waiting for the O'Neals to get healthy. I just hope they don't sleep their way into the 3 spot in the playoffs...and have to play some pretty tough teams without any home court advantage.

-- Not much to say about the Bs...except for one word: Streaky. Win 6, lose 5. Lose 4, win 3. I don't know what to make of this team...I guess we just wait for the real season to begin and see if Thomas can stand on his head through a few rounds.

That's it for tonight. Off to bed for a hell of a week. Back soon.

Seeing the Reasoning

2011-03-07T20:05:00.006-05:00

So a little more than a week ago, I mentioned my confusion over the Kendrick Perkins trade. I don't need to repeat everything I said there since (you can always scroll down and take a look).

The bottom line is that I was having a hard time understanding why Ainge would go out and trade the starting center on a first-place team in the East. A team that lacks any true, healthy big men. A team that has a real chance at winning a championship this year.

I didn't think Perk was irreplaceable, I just thought he was an important piece of the puzzle.

I have now had a week and change to see through all the Ins and Outs of this trade. To see who Danny would pick up off the scrap heap. To learn more about Green and Kristic.

And I gotta say, I'm liking the deal more and more.

I've watched all the games since the trade, and while Green started off shaky (I think that is to be expected), he has really showed his talent the last few games; and Kristic -- the guy I called a stiff -- has been a pleasant surprise. Factor in that the Cs also went out and picked up Carlos Arroyo, Troy Murphy and Sasha Pavlovic, while losing Perk, Neo-Nate, Semih, and Harangody, I'm starting to forget what I was complaining about.

Most importantly, and something that I think I was slightly overlooking a week or so ago was that the Celtics got the best player in the deal. And history shows that the team that gets the best player -- usually comes out the victor of the deal down the road.

These thoughts have also been influenced by some big names in basketball, as well as some big time columnists -- who have since weighed in supporting the Danny's moves...Let's take a look:

Shaughnessy hated this deal at first -- but says Ainge has balls.

The Globe's Gasper -- a big Perk fan -- looks into the "myth" that the Cs would have won Game 7 if Perk had been in the lineup to gobble up rebounds.

Chad Finn does a nice job breaking down Ainge's most recent moves, as well as most of his other ones, and calls it a resounding win.

Gerry Callahan says Ainge may be heartless...but he is not gutless.

And that is just a sampling of the pro-trade articles we've been exposed to...reading them, you can assume the Celts are in line to hoist 18 to the rafters...

But, as is always the case, only time will tell.

Why Blow It Up Now?

2011-02-25T00:23:00.005-05:00

I'm still waiting for the rest.

With the announcement today that the Cs traded their only "real" big man Kendrick Perkins, I found myself scratching my head.

I still am.

What's the game plan now? Danny traded Perk and Neo-Nate to OKC for a solid small forward in Jeff Green and a big stiff named Nenad Krstic, and I keep asking myself what's the point?

Ainge also traded Luke Harangody and Semih Erden to the Cavs for a second-round pick, and Marquis Daniels to the Kings for cash. Somehow the Cs also ended up with the Clips first round pick (protected top 10).

If he was going to blow up the championship hopes this year, why go through the motions of bringing the core back? I know Perk is not necessarily the guy who was going to lead this team to the promised land, but he was the guy that played the role that no one else on the team played. He is a great one-on-one defender against the best big men in the league, a solid rebounder, and a guy that cleared the space in the paint for all the other Cs.

I guess a number of things are possible, like:

-- Danny didn't think Perk's knees/other injuries were going to hold out.

-- Danny didn't think he would ever get Perk to sign after he reportedly, recently, turned down a four-year $22 million deal...(however, with a lockout looming, I don't get why he would sweat that now).
-- Danny looked at the East, and saw a fading Orlando, and realized that with Carmelo now in NY and Lebron in Miami, that it was more important to have a guy like Green to help guard those guys in the playoffs, than to have Perk defend Dwight Howard -- in order to get out of the East. (still don't know what this means against the West in a championship series though).
-- Danny looked at his aging crew and decided he wanted Green as another building block to go with Rondo for when the aging Big 3 retire.

All of those are possibilities. And in their own right, make some sense.

However, last June Ainge made the decision to make another run at the title. He had the "right" to make the move then to blow it up, and start over again, and didn't do it. The moves he made today, as of now, don't bring the Cs any closer to the ring than they were yesterday.

Hey, I don't claim to know more or understand more about the game than Danny. He has made the right moves before, and maybe this will pay off down the road. Maybe Green will be the answer to the Carmelos and Lebrons come playoff time. Maybe Shaq will stay healthy and impact the playoffs. Maybe Jermaine O'Neal will walk again and produce something.

Maybe.

Until then, I guess I'll keep scratching my head.

Another Round....of Sunday Links

2011-02-21T00:36:00.006-05:00

Halfway through the NBA season, on the verge of the first exhibition games of the spring, just past the trading deadline in the NHL...there is plenty to talk about...Let's take a look.

First off...Sox:

John Lackey -- coming off a disappointing debut year with the Sox, in which he finished with a 14-11 record and 4.4 ERA, decided there was one thing he could manage coming into camp...his weight.

Youk is gung-ho to move back to 3rd. And I bet he'll be sweaty getting ready.

Adrian Gonzalez is itching to go back full tilt...but he'll be patient as he awaits the Docs OK.

Lucchinno contends that Fenway is not going anywhere.

The Sox brass did a lot of talking today.

Manny is enjoying his first few weeks in a Tampa uniform.

Of course Papi knows how to make an entrance...plus -- I got to get me a "I still (heart) white people" shirt.

Jeter thinks the Sox are "great."

Tek is in great shape for his backup role...which -- judging by the other catchers on this team -- could become a starting role once again.

JD Drew may be hurt yet again ... but at least he is honest.

Hold the presses: Carl Crawford has made a good first impression with the press.

Now onto a few NBA notes on this All Star weekend.

Ray Ray and PP didn't couldn't stand up to the Heat in the 3-point contest.

The Herald's Mark Murphy gives out his mid-season grades.

Also -- the Herald's Steve Bulpett has a great piece on the hard-headed Rondo.

KG is happy at the break...but also defends his intensity.

Heading up the East, Doc is hearing praise all around.

The Cs are getting high praise from many around the league.

The Globe has its always good Basketball Notes.

A few notes on the Bs, who may have improved their chances at the trading deadline...

Speaking of the moves...

Fluto Shinzawa has a nice piece on the Bs new additions.

The current Bs are happy with the moves.

Lastly, in a non-sports story - the Globe had a great feature today on Brad Delp, the now-deceased front man of the 70s rock band Boston...it never ceases to amaze me how people who are so talented can be so dark.

That's it for tonight...be back soon.

Sunday Links

2011-02-13T23:33:00.007-05:00

According to Doc Rivers, Rajon Rondo willed the Cs to a big 85-82 win over the Miami Heat...taking back the top spot in the East and clinching the season series with the Heat, despite having an extremely thin lineup, and a goose egg from their captain.

This was an entertaining game today... chippy, tough, and just fun to watch. It was even funner to watch King James miss a crucial free throw with 12 seconds left.

As always, Jackie MacMullen had a great take on the game.

While Delonte West is expected back this week, Paul Pierce -- and his 0-10 performance today will have an MRI this week.

Eddie House has found a home in Miami...until he moves on again next year.

Onto spring training as Pitchers and Catchers report...

Great piece in the Globe today on Carl Crawford...

Buchholz is happy to be coming to camp knowing he has a role in the starting rotation...

A healthy Pedroia can't wait to put on a laser show.

Adrian Gonzalez is ready to go too. Except he can't take batting practice til March.

Daniel Bard is saying the right things.

Terry Francona held court...giving his thoughts on a number of areas.

What will the Sox do when they are facing lefties? The Herald's Michael Silverman attempts to answer.

That's it for tonight...be back soon.

Celtics in LA; Other Links

2011-01-30T23:29:00.007-05:00

The headlines will read that the Celtics avenged their Finals loss with a 109-96 win over the Lakers today, but let's not get ahead of ourselves...this was a nice regular season win. The Cs looked great, and they played a better team game than the Lakers all day...but they also put up a stinker Friday night vs the Suns.

Some other quick links before hitting the sack before a busy week.

Shaq made his debut in Green back in LA for the first time today...to a mixed response. Mark Murphy gives his take.

Doc is $15K lighter, after his ejection and comments during the aforementioned crap-fest Friday night.

God, I love Kevin Durant.

John Tomase says the Sox should be afraid of Texas.

Not that anyone was watching, but Tim Thomas set a record tonight for winning his third-straight All Star game in goal.

Along those lines...Zdeno Chara is strong.

Simmons has a good, but long look at solid, but aging NBA stars.

Who has Charlie Sheen in their Death Pool? Well...you're a turd.

Lastly, What did you think Tracy Morgan would say?

Winter Slack

2011-01-27T23:46:00.003-05:00

What can I say. I've been slacking. But I promise it won't continue. It all started back immediately following the Pats loss to the Jets. I was fatigued. I didn't want the Pats to play the Jets to begin with...it was a classic trap game, and the Pats played right into the Jets' hands.

Brady had happy feet in the pocket the whole game, and the secondary was always covered. Not a lot of fun.

So with that, I went on a self-imposed Boston Sports Media Blackout (as best that I could...I still watched Cs games)...and am finally now coming out of my shell.

When you couple the Pats loss, with the 14 feet of snow we have gotten from the non-stop storms, along with a work trip to Germany, and tons to do at work -- I decided to hold off on the blog.

But I am working my way back now. I should start posting with a bit more consistency in the coming days and weeks, as we head to the start of spring training and the second halves of the NBA and NHL seasons.

That's my story for now...and I'm sticking to it.

Call It A Season...

2011-01-16T20:53:00.002-05:00

All I can say is ... when do pitchers and catchers report. This game blew. So much so, that I don't even want to decorate this post with some photo of the Pats looking dejected. Brady had happy feet in the pocket all day...offense was anemic..and the defense couldn't do anything when it counted.

Game over, season over. Bring on the spring, the Sox and the Celts.

Sully's Last Stand

2011-01-02T23:40:00.033-05:00

Finished off a great vacation week on New Year's Eve celebrating at Sully and Liz's long-time-coming wedding. Great time was had by all, as Sully and Liz finally tied the knot after a two-year delay.

Liz and Sully

As I have always done my best to protect the innocent on Getty's Angle by not including last/full names of family and friends, I figured I would let the following pictures tell the story.

Leo giving Slatts his best Micky Ward impersonation.

Spike and Saps -- the best looking dancer at the wedding....and in the 8th grade.

Me and Leo...mainly pre-booze.

Slatts, Earl, Leo, Nick, Sean, Me and Powers...post-booze.

Snoops and Jen -- I think Jen is already hoping Snoops doesn't have another drink.

Snoops, Me, Powers and Leo

Sully and Sheryl -- someone check where Sheryl's right hand is...

Me and the extremely handsome quick-and-cute groom

Mike and Karen

Slatts, Gib and Leo

Earl is in a festive mood as the clock struck 12.

Snoops is festive too....

A handsome threesome.

Sully and Liz as the party wraps up....

Congrats again to the happy couple, and thanks for putting on such an amazing event and letting Sheryl and I be part of it. Lastly, it wouldn't be a wedding if Sully didn't leapfrog the tallest guy at the wedding on the dance floor...(give the video 16 or 17 seconds -- it'll get there)...

Phew!!!!

2010-12-31T00:32:00.004-05:00

Here's hoping you had a great Christmas and are on the verge of a Happy New Year...

For Kevin Garnett, the Boston Celtics and all their fans...there will be rejoicing, as MRI results showed that KGs leg injury, which he suffered during the Celtics loss to the Pistons on Wednesday night, are negative.

While collectively Celtics players and fans held their breath over the fear that KG reinjured his knee, today's tests show the injury was nothing more than a calf muscle strain -- and that the knee is fine.

What this means is that the Cs Title 18 hopes are still alive -- assuming Rondo makes it back. It means KG will likely be out for only "a couple of weeks," according to Danny Ainge. It also means we are looking at a couple ugly weeks of basketball for the Cs, with the Green rolling out a lineup significantly lacking bigs, and players like rookie Luke Harangody will see an increase in playing time.

Do I care that the next few weeks might be tough to watch? No. Like last year when the Celtics coasted from January on, before becoming dominant right up until the last 4 minutes of the Finals...I say keep your elders rested and healthy until the post season begins -- then turn it on.

Hopefully the end result will be different and the next banner will be hoisted to the rafters. And a rested and healthy KG and Rondo will lead the team there.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T01:24:00.003-05:00

Just a quick note to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas. We've survived the eve of Christmas Eve with a puking son, and are hoping the worst is behind us...Here's hoping you and yours enjoy the holiday!

Winning Ugly

2010-12-20T00:30:00.004-05:00

The Patriots held on tonight for a 31-27 win over the Pack, and while the win may have been ugly, it was still important. With four teams in the division tied at 10-4, the Patriots -- with the win tonight -- just need to pull off one of the next two against Buffalo or Miami to clinch the division, home field advantage through the playoffs, and a first round bye.

A loss, and the story would have been different.

So while the Pats made quite a few mistakes tonight and were charged with some questionable and some legit penalties, hopefully they will learn from this game and realize what it is going to take to win against good teams.

One of the pluses you can take out of this game is that the Pats scored 31 points against one of the league's best defenses -- one that was only giving up 14 points a game. And anyone who watched this game will surely remember this 71-yard kickoff return by O-Lineman Dan Connolly. The negative side was that their defense gave up 27 against a back up QB (who played well) and a team not known for throwing a lot of points on the board.

While the Pats walked away with the win and a 12-2 record...Coach Bill did not look happy at the post game press conference. That bodes well for the rest of the season.

Theo Makes His Move...

2010-12-04T21:46:00.008-05:00

Don't look now, but Theo Epstein might have just pulled off the biggest and best move of his tenure as Sox GM today as he traded three prospects for San Diego first baseman, All Star, and arguably one of the top 10 players in Major League Baseball - Adrian Gonzalez.

So, if you are like me, you might not know too much about Gonzalez. Playing in San Diego for the last bunch of years, it is not like we get to see a lot of West Coast baseball. But that doesn't mean we can't dive in and learn a little more about him. So here we go.

Gonzalez is a 28-year-old, left-handed, slugging, Gold Glove first baseman. He has a lifetime average of .284, and a slugging percentage of .507. He has done this in a notoriously bad hitters park for the last four year since being traded from Texas. This is someone who should light up Fenway. He is an extremely popular player among fans, teamates and coaches alike. Best of all...he has openly said that he wants to play for the Red Sox.

Last year he batted .298, with 31 dongs, and 101 RBIs, while hurt for a good portion of the year. The Padres will get stud pitching prospect Casey Kelly, 1b Anthony Rizzo, and outfielder Reymond Fuentes. As far as I am concerned -- this is one-sided deal. This is a deal that will hurt San Diego. On the flip side, the local columnists Steve Buckley, and Bob Ryan agree: The Red Sox just became relevant again.

San Diego was in a bind. They are a smaller market team and knew they would not be able to retain him when his contract was up, so they made the move now.

While the deal is not done yet -- Gonzalez still needs to pass a physical and the Sox need to sign him to a long-term deal -- make no bones about it...Theo will get it done. He has to...he has been laying the groundwork for this deal for two-plus years...and this is the deal for which he/and all Sox fans have been waiting.

All of a sudden, Sox fans like myself who were longing for Mark Teixeira two winters ago...only to see him go to the Yankees -- will forget all about that heartbreak.

So what's next? It looks like Beltre will walk, Youk will move to third, and Theo will go to Florida and focus on Carl Crawford or Jayson Werth.

The winter is looking a whole lot brighter...wouldn't you say?

UPDATE: 12-5-10, 8:20 pm -- Apparently the deal is official, without a long-term extension -- SI.com, and Boston.com are reporting. Speculation is that the Sox and Gonzalez have agreed to the terms of the extension, but will not announce until after opening day to save a boat-load of cash (millions) in terms of luxury tax.

Also ... Jayson Werth just signed a mega-deal with the Nationals...a seven-year, $126 million deal...While Werth is a good player, this one seems a bit large for a 32 y.o., one-time all star.

Nothing New to Add

2010-11-28T23:19:00.003-05:00

Not much to say tonight -- recovering from a night out with the Andover boys last night. No real news to report...no Pats, no Celts, Sox still have done nothing besides not sign V-Mart, the Bruins thrashed by Atlanta, some ex-Pats employees accused of spying via videotaping again, and Delonte's wrist is still broken.

I'll be back this week, when I wake back up with some creativity...In the meantime, enjoy the updated quote of note from my friend Sean. For those of you who know him, and know what he is talking about -- you should find it funny.

Luckiest 8-2 Team in the NFL

2010-11-21T23:53:00.006-05:00

Dodged a bullet.

That's what the Pats did today...If it wasn't for Peyton Manning's miscue late in the fourth, the Colts would have made it two years in a row that they came back from a large deficit to beat the Pats...(or at least tie).

But, Peyton and the Colts did get greedy, and instead of settling for good field position for Adam Vinateri game-tying field goal, the Colts went for another big play from the Pats' 24 yard line, but was picked off on the 6 by James Sanders to seal the 31-28 win.

Whew.

While this team stands atop of the East along with the Jets at 8-2, they might be the luckiest 8-2 team in the history of the NFL. Either way, I'll take it.

I would have more tonight...as the Cs have struggled for two games in a row that they should have won; and the Sox Hot Stove league is heating up...but I am too tired and have an incredibly long 2.5 day week ahead of me -- so I better get some rest. (and no, I am not lying about the long 2.5 day week...this one is shaping up to be a doozie).

The Future of The NBA

2010-11-07T23:57:00.013-05:00

I have said this before...but I must say it again. I have seen the future of the NBA, and his name is Kevin Durant.

You see...when the whole Oden/Durant debate around who would go number 1 in the draft talk was going down a few years back...and the Cs had a remote chance of landing one of the two...I dreamed of Kevin Durant in a Celtics uniform.

That didn't happen.

What did happen -- is Danny didn't get what he wanted in the lottery...so he went out and traded for Ray Allen, lured KG, and built a team that brought home the team's 17th banner.

You couldn't ask for more...but that doesn't mean I still can't have a little man-crush on the dude who I think is the single most exciting player in the NBA.

Durant has it all...he is 6-10, can play like a guard, can score from just about anywhere on the floor and his defense is continuously improving. So when I got the Cs 2010 calendar...I circled tonight's game. Might as well break out a running diary of the Cs/Thunder game.

First Quarter

-- Gotta love the OKC fans...standing from the start of the game until their team scores a basket...so far the Cs are up 4-0...I hope they are wearing comfortable shoes.

-- Rondo has plantar fascitis but is playing. I hope this doesn't become a lingering problem this season. The Cs are stacked, talented and old. I think anyone following this team thinks they have the potential to win the ring if they can stay healthy. You expect that there will be injuries to the older guys throughout the season...but you don't expect it to be Rondo. Gotta hope this can be a quick recovery. This team can't win 18 without him.

-- I think there is a guy playing for the Thunder named Chewbaca. I think that is what Mike Gorman keeps saying.

-- Count me as one of the many who are impressed by the play of Marquis Daniels this season. I couldn't believe they re-signed him this year -- but so far, I'm glad they did. Just playing great ball..and tonight is no different...off the bench with some 7 points so far in the first.

-- Nobody has better length in the NBA than Durant. He looks like he is has octopus arms.

-- End of 1 ... Cs up 28-21.

Second Quarter

-- Despite seeming to find his shot late in the game last game -- Neo Nate is really struggling offensively.

-- Early in the second...Durant is 4 for 7 for 12 points.

-- Maybe I spoke too soon...as Nate buries a j from just inside the arc.

-- Nope...I don't think there is a better pure point guard in the NBA than Rondo. Assists, steals, traffic layups...the guy is unreal.

-- I'm not sure there is a player in the league that takes more charges than Big Baby.

-- Cs up 5 halfway through the quarter.

-- Can you imagine the amount of shit that is talked in the Cs locker room with Pierce, KG and Rondo talking non-stop smack? Then you throw in Shaq...and a little bit of Big Baby?

-- Speaking of Baby again...man he can finish.

-- And along those lines...Jermaine O'Neal can block shots.

-- You can never underestimate the smoothness of Ray Allen's J.

-- I will say that I have beat on Doc a lot on this blog...but he has won me over. The dude can draw up an in-bound play.

-- Nate back in the game to close out the half -- takes the in bound pass with seconds to go -- races up to about a foot outside the 3-pt arc and launces a running three that falls as the buzzer sounds...giving the Cs a 21 point lead going into the half at 58-37.

Third Quarter

-- Donny Marshall -- filling in for Tommy tells us that if you have more turnovers than assists, you can't win. Donny obviously went to the Tim McCarver Color-Man Summer Camp this year.

-- Durant just took a three from two or three steps behind the line and drained it...dude is amazing.

-- Cs up 15 after three hoops in a row by OKC. Doc calls timeout and walks onto the floor looking to fight the refs.

-- PP just banked home a jumper after dribbling for about 10 seconds...bringing back bad memories.

-- Ray 3 puts the Cs back up 20.

-- Durant -- 8 of 14 for 27 points so far...

-- Durant and Westbrook go 2 on 5 for about three minutes...along with a number of Boston turnovers cut the Cs lead to 11.

-- Make that 9 on another amazing Durant shot.

-- End of three following an OKC 13-2 run...73-64.

Fourth Quarter

-- OKCs Harden opens the quarter with a 3....its now a two possession game. Shoot me now.

-- Glenn Davis has worked on his 13-15 footer ... and it is paying off...the guy is money from that range.

-- OKC is losing the turnover battle 17-10...still a 12 point game.

-- Baby again from the top of the key...back up 14.

-- Ray for 3....got it...88-71.

-- This game is in the books...up 92-78 with a minute in a half left....the crowd has started to hit the road.

-- Thunder takes a Knee with a minute to go...Cs win 92-83.

And no...despite the OKC loss...Durant didn't disappoint.

Class Act

2010-10-28T23:53:00.009-04:00

Nothing too shocking with the Cs performance this week...a Big Win opening night over the heavily touted Heat, followed by a let-down loss the following night to the Cavs (a classic letdown game)...I expected the win vs the Heat...and I wasn't shocked for the Cs to play down to their competition vs Cleveland. I also fully expect the Cs to come back with full force tomorrow night vs the Knicks.

So in the mean time, a welcomed distraction today was the much deserved award Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield won today. The Boston Globe had the story:

Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield has been named the recipient of the 2010 Roberto Clemente award, an award given annually to the player who "combines a dedication to giving back to the community with outstanding skills on the baseball field."

It was the eighth nomination for Wakefield, a player who has given tirelessly to charities ranging from the Jimmy Fund to his "Pitching in for Kids" organization to the Space Coast Early Intervention Center in his hometown of Melbourne, Fla., among other organizations.

"Every one of those definitions [he fits]," said Mike Andrews, former chairman of the Jimmy Fund. "I would say this is long overdue. He should have gotten it by now."

Photos: Tim Wakefield through the years

In talking to Andrews, it appears that he could go on and on about Wakefield. As he said yesterday, "I would have to say in my years of baseball playing and then my 31 years with the Jimmy Fund, I have never seen anybody exceed his charitable generosity. Giving his time, giving his money, and really caring, he's one of those very, very unique people that come along every now and then. You always know with Tim that it's heartfelt. It isn't something that he feels an obligation to do it, he really gets into it."

Wakefield was selected from a list of 30 nominees, one from each club, by a panel that includes Commissioner Bud Selig and Clemente's wife, Vera. Wakefield follows past winners such as Derek Jeter (2009), Albert Pujols (2008), and Craig Biggio (2007), along with 13 Hall of Famers. He is the first member of the Red Sox to have received the award.

Wakefield will be presented with the award this afternoon in San Francisco, before Game 2 of the World Series.

Andrews tells a story, about a Chicago visit that Jimmy Fund patients made a couple of years ago. A group was sitting in the stands, and Wakefield joined them, sat with them. When it was time to leave, he got up, shook their hands, and noticed there was one teenaged boy who wouldn't be able to get down the stands, as he had lost a leg. Wakefield put the kid on his back, and walked him down the stands, as it would have been difficult for the boy to get down on his own.

"That's the kind of thing he does, and he doesn't do it because cameras are running," Andrews said. "He just said, well, this is tough for him and I should help. That's just the way he is."

And that hasn't changed as Wakefield has gotten older, as he has gotten toward the end of his 18-year career, 16 years of which have been spent in Boston.

"From the day he got here," Andrews said. "I sometimes try to figure out why somebody like Tim Wakefield is like Tim Wakefield is. I doubt this has anything to do with it, but he had the hard knocks getting to the big leagues, really the hard knocks. He was an infielder and got released and had a knuckleball and came back. I think it wasn't a free ride to the big leagues for Tim Wakefield. Did that make him more of a down to earth guy than a lot of them are? Maybe.

"But I think it goes much deeper than that, honestly. I just think it was the way he was brought up. I just think it's the way he is. He's very unique, and I don't mean to single him out as the only giving ballplayer that we've had. There are so many that have given so much, but Tim just gives a little bit more and continuously."

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I'll have more this weekend on the Red Hot Bruins, The Cs..and the Pats...

Hold on Tight

2010-10-24T23:03:00.009-04:00

I think it goes without saying that this is not your win-easy, walk-all-over-them Pats team. If that wasn't obvious to you...it should be after today's 23-20 win over the Bolts.In fact, if it wasn't for the Chargers' miscue lining up for what would have been the game-tying 45-or-so-yard field goal...this may not have been a win at all.

Instead, due to the last of many penalties and mistakes the Chargers committed/made today...Chargers' kicker Kris Brown banged a 50-yarder off the goal posts wrapping up the Pats win.

But a win is a win...and the Pats now sit tied for the AFC East lead with a 5-1 record...and there is nothing wrong with that. This team seems to be finding a way to win...and I'll take a biter and scratcher any day to cheer for.

A few other quick things before wrapping up for the weekend and gear up for the Cs opener against the newest Big Three and the Miami Heat.

We finally welcomed our newest member to the family this weekend when Lucky arrived. Lucky is a Beagle/something and seems to be loving his new home...and we are digging him. Just a friendly, happy dog...here are a few pics.

Didn't See That Coming...

2010-10-18T00:06:00.004-04:00

I have to be honest -- because God knows I always tell you when I've guessed right -- but I didn't expect this win today.

The Pats played a rough and tumble -- bend-don't-break defense, sprinkled with just enough offense to pull out a great win against a good team.

The Moss talk should be hushed now with the return and play of Deion Branch.

I would say more about this game...but the fact is, I didn't watch too much of it (I did listen)...as I spent the day filling in holes under our fence in my backyard for the arrival of our new dog next weekend. Needless to say...some things take precedent.

The dog, which you see here, was rescued from a Mississippi kill shelter, should make it up to us by next Saturday.

A few other notes before turning in for the night and getting ready for a long work week.

The Celtics have done nothing to damper my enthusiasm this pre-season. Standing at 6-1 with one game left before the Heat come to town to kick off the new campaign, the Cs are -- in a word -- Deep.

There is not a real weak spot on this roster. This is a team that was six minutes away from a championship last year, and they have added Shaq, Jermaine O'Neal and Delonte West. They also have signed what looks to be a very solid role player in Luke Harangody (who reminds me of a white, Leon Powe...with a jump shot).

This whole off-season I worried about injuries to this team. How their talent was great, but their age would equal injuries. But, looking at this team now -- I am realizing that Danny has built a roster that can withstand injuries due to their depth.

I'm not saying they can survive season ending injuries to PP or KG, but they can sure weather the storm when someone goes down for a week or three.

Bring on the Heat.

News and Notes

2010-10-03T23:34:00.004-04:00

With no Patriots game today, I decided to focus on the latest Boston Celtics news as they closed out camp (I know, I know -- Big Surprise).

I don't know about anyone else -- but I am feeling really good about this Celtics team this year. As I have previously mentioned, I love the Delonte West signing (and that seems to be paying dividends) -- This from Celticsblog.com:

All accounts are that Delonte West is making the most of his second chance. He's been the last one out of the gym and has the full backing of his teammates. Peter May has a good article on him with the following quote from Delonte himself.

In return engagement with the Boston Celtics, Delonte West finds peace on the parquet - ESPN Boston

"That's what happens when you make bad decisions off the court," he said. "It should be a lesson to a lot of younger players because that's how it is. You're judged by the decisions you make. It's up to me to prove that maybe everything you read isn't true. It's a day-at-a-time process. That's what it is. It's on me to prove I am a good person and a great guy, and if that's true, it shouldn't be that hard. I feel blessed to have this opportunity and I want to make the best of it.

The Herald's Mark Murphy also had this nice piece on Delonte trying to turn everything around, and proving it on the court.

And Shaq has reportedly had his best camp in years according to this ESPN.com report:

Robinson, Shaq earn high praise: As further indication that their joking stops when the whistle blows, Rivers singled out both Shaquille O'Neal and Nate Robinson for their strong camps. In regards to the latter, Rivers noted, "We joke about it, but he knows when to be Nate, and he knows when to be a Celtic. That's really important for him and it's important for our team."
Shaq runs with the first team: While Shaq appears indifferent about whether he ultimately starts the season on the bench (he actually seems to be embracing that thought) or whether he gets the starting nod over Jermaine O'Neal, he actually spent most of the final two days with the first unit. "I know he's playing his butt off. The last two days, [Shaq has] been with the first team. Just watching what he's doing, he doesn't care, he just wants to play and help the team. You can see, he really wants to prove he can still play, No. 1. And he just wants to win."

Also, along those lines, the team seems to be having fun together, which is not always easy when you have this many Alpha Dogs on one team. Throughout camp, Shaq and Neo-Nate -- the biggest and smallest guys on the team, seem to be leading the good feelings in camp as evidenced by these two videos Nate posted on Twitter:

Here Nate wins a bet by dunking on Shaq:

Winning a bet

Next, check out Nate trying to guard Delonte West while wearing Shaq's size 25 sneakers as Pierce eggs him on

Guarding Delonte

But it's not all fun and games. While Nate seems to enjoy poking fun, he reportedly has also seen the light, and knows when it is business, and when it is OK to screw around.

Another good sign has been the play of KG, who apparently is playing back down in the post -- a place he seemed to shun most of last year. This is a call out from the previously liked article from the Boston Herald:

“If we had that post game that he gave us today last year, we would have been a remarkable basketball team,” said Rivers. “That’s where you can see it’s the confidence part. Last year, I don’t think he ever had the confidence to go to the post. He didn’t like it down there. This year he wants it down there and he’s being a factor. We thought about trapping him today, which we never do. But it just got to a point where, if he can have a practice game like he did today, we’ll be very good.

“He’s rested, he’s more confident,” he said. “I thought last year he was never confident in his play because of his body. It was great for us. He’s leading the floor, he’s aggressive in the post, he’s calling post plays for himself now, so that’s good for us.”

“I wish he would take some breaks, honestly, and I told him that today, that I wish he would take a minute. But he looks great. Today, at one point he was unguardable.”

Oh, and just in case you were wondering...Rondo is still very confident in his abilities. Here is the Globe's take as well.

In a really stupid piece ... Mazz has the Celtics as the most likely Boston team to win a title. So why link to it? Well I like to share.

That's it for tonight. As pre-season kicks off...I should be more diligent with the Angle. Look for more consistent posting in the coming days and weeks.

One last note: While I know I have been slacking in all aspects of the blog lately...check out the new quote of note (for those who know my Mom...you will find it funny) as well as Getty's Link. It may be a little bit late, but Seth Meyers at the ESPYs this year was tremendous.

Saw it Coming...

2010-09-19T21:14:00.007-04:00

I love 4:15 and 8 pm Sunday football games. You can always make an event out of them. On the flip side, I don't like 1 pm kick-offs. I feel like I am wasting a whole day off in front of the TV ignoring my kids.

That's why I was psyched to see the Pats/Jets were a 4:15 start earlier this week...that was until I started looking a little deeper into the potential outcomes.

Now, looking back at the Jets 28-14 win over the Pats, I can honestly say -- if I were a betting man -- I would have bet against the Pats today.

All the pieces were in place for a Pats loss:

-- The Jets were at home -- a week after an opening day loss.
-- The Pats won huge last week.
-- The Jets needed the win WAY more than the Pats did -- something like 12 percent of teams that start the season 0-2 make the playoffs.
-- The Pats had the Moss debacle after last week's win.
-- Brady had some rare harsh words for the Jets during the past few weeks...a usual no-no from a player on a Belichick team.
-- Anything goes when these two teams meet. Even though the Pats looked great last week (even the D) and the Jets looked horrible (especially the O)...none of that really matters.

So the Patriots came out and played a pretty solid first half, then collapsed in the second. Their defense was pretty much non-existent the whole game, and their offense disappeared for the whole second half.

On the other side, the Jets played a pretty solid game on both sides of the field. The Pats, however managed to make Sanchez look like a Hall of Famer.

All that being said -- it is only week 2, and there is a lot of season left. The Pats will be OK...their offense is to potent with too many weapons. Before I sign off -- just to make you feel better -- here are some post-game Brady quotes that indicate he isn't too happy either. If I am the Bills...I wouldn't be looking forward to next week's game: (the following is courtesy of ESPN.com/Boston)

Quarterback Tom Brady (on the difference between the two halves): “We couldn’t do anything in the second half. We had a hard time gaining yards there. We couldn’t do anything on third down. We couldn’t gain anything on first and second down. We couldn’t run it. We couldn’t throw it. We just sucked. That’s what it comes down to.”

Brady (on second-half struggles on the road): “I think when it comes down to the second halves of these second halves of games, our level of toughness, we have to go out and play tougher. There were times where I think we had opportunities to do a better job out there and we didn’t. That’s all of us, starting with me. I have to do a better job leading this team and certainly executing better when it’s crunch time.”

Delonte's Deal

2010-09-08T20:54:00.005-04:00

Back -- right before the new-big three era began, the Boston Celtics played a scrappy brand of basketball with the likes of the Captain, Big Al, Perk, and Delonte.

They weren't necessarily all that good, but they came to play every game...they were in most -- and threw a few surprise upsets along the way.

Delonte was one of the keys to that style of basketball. The never-say-die attitude, the take-no-shit-from-anyone style of play was entertaining. Granted, not quite as entertaining as winning a ring once, and going to game 7 of the finals another time...but entertaining.

I remember singing the praises of Delonte to my friend Billy Blackwell...I would tell him things like "watch this guy play...he makes two or three exciting plays per game." Bill would turn to me and say "Steve, but would you let him watch your kids?"

Too funny.

But that was now years ago. Delonte has been to two other teams since then; had a very public battle with depression; been arrested on gun charges; and is rumored to have slept with Lebron James mom.

He also seems to have lost a little to his game -- not a lot -- but a little. (Granted some of that probably had more to do with his off-court troubles than anything physical).

But last week, Danny went out and brought Delonte back...and -- I know I am looking at things through green-colored glasses -- but I love the move.

I think he may end up being one of the best signings of this off-season. He is coming back to a team, town, GM and coach that loved him; he knows Doc's system; and he has an on-the court/off-the-court father figure playing alongside of him again in Shaq.

At the end of the season last year, I thought Danny would blow it up. But he went in a different direction. He actually made this team better. With a healthy Perk, they will have arguably the best bench in the game...they have the big three returning...and they got rid of the single dumbest player in the NBA in Tony Allen (I know, I know --he didn't play bad last year -- but he is still dumb).

As long as the Cs can escape the age/injury bug for one more year -- I am expecting big things.

Back to the Grind

2010-08-30T21:21:00.002-04:00

As summer draws to a close, the McGettrick clan took one last vacation last week...and I jumped back into this crazy thing I call a job today. We took some great pics, even if the weather didn't totally cooperate last week -- and I will be sure to post them in the next day or so. I would put them up now -- but they are on a different computer.

Nothing really to report in sports again -- and we have definitely entered the Dog Days of Summer in that area. Especially considering the Sox have pretty much been eliminated from the AL East race.

ESPN-Boston's Gordon Edes has this to say -- a pretty good piece detailing the unlikely hood of the Sox making the post-season this year. The following is from espn.com/boston:

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- In a place that has often endured the effrontery of "Let's Go, Red Sox" exhortations from the carpetbaggers from the north, there was jubiliation in the chant that erupted in the ninth inning here Sunday night.
"No more Boston." Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap. "No more Boston.'' Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap.
The Tampa Bay Rays did not eliminate the Boston Red Sox on Sunday night by winning the rubber match of their three-game set 5-3, on national TV, no less.
[+] Enlarge
Kim Klement/US PresswireAfter Sunday's loss, David Ortiz said the Red Sox aren't out of it, but his tone wasn't convincing.
For that, you have the solemn word of David Ortiz, even though there was more resignation than defiance in his tone.
"Not yet,'' the Red Sox DH said quietly when asked if he felt the season slipping away. "Not yet.''
But with 32 games to play, the Rays and New York Yankees are both 80-50 and on pace to win 99.69 games. You don't have to be one of Mrs. Koykka's former algebra students to know that rounds up to 100 wins apiece.
The Red Sox, meanwhile, are 74-57, seven games behind both teams in the loss column. You don't have to be smarter than a fifth grader to know that the Red Sox, in their final 31 games, would need to go 26-5 to match that pace. Even if the Yankees or Rays stumbled and split their final 32 games, the Sox would need to go 23-8, a pace they have not sustained at any time this season.
John W. Henry, who has made a fortune from his ability to forecast the future in the commodities and money markets, knows better than most that sometimes your bets just don't pay off, many times for reasons out of one's control. Wars, revolutions, natural disasters, depressions all come into play -- although in Henry's case, bad times for others can mean good times for his bottom line.
But when it comes to the business of his baseball team, the injuries that have wiped out four starters for the balance of the season -- Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Mike Cameronand Jacoby Ellsbury -- and crippled great chunks of the roster all summer allowed little margin for error among the survivors.
And after the combined brilliance of Jon Lester and Victor Martinez on Friday night raised hopes that the Sox could yet make the AL East/wild card a three-team race, Boston could not overcome its imperfections the past two nights.
John Lackey will have four more years, per the terms of his contract, to prove he is worth every penny of the $82.5 million Henry invested in him last winter. But Sunday night, Lackey, despite saying he threw the ball "as good as I have in years," managed once again to pitch just well enough to lose.
Lackey took a 3-1 lead into the sixth inning, the only run coming on a Carlos Pena home run in the fourth. But Carl Crawford's two-run homer tied it and a single by Dan Johnson (that man again) put the Rays ahead. Only another Darnell McDonald strike to the plate to cut down Pena, the second time in two nights McDonald had erased a runner at home, kept the Rays from piling on.
When the seventh inning began with a bloop and an infield hit, Lackey twice looked into the dugout, apparently seeking sympathy. Instead, after walking Ben Zobrist, he got the hook, and the Rays tacked onto their lead when Evan Longoria lined an RBI single off lefty Hideki Okajima.
"He did a lot of good things,'' manager Terry Francona said of Lackey, "but when he made the mistakes he really paid for them.''
But as the Sox flew to Baltimore, where they will have an off-day before beginning a three-game series Tuesday night against the Orioles, it was clear, at least in listening to Ortiz, that Saturday's extra-inning loss nagged at them.
Pitching dominated in all three games -- the Sox scored a total of eight runs in the series, the Rays nine, and the biggest lead for either team in the entire series was two runs. But after Lester outdueled fellow lefty David Price on Friday night, the Sox loved their chances with Clay Buchholz on the mound Saturday.
Buchholz did not disappoint, taking a two-hit shutout into the seventh. But he was done in by his own ill-advised pickoff throw, and the Sox were penalized on that rare occasion in which a terrific catch, by J.D. Drew, produced a run that otherwise might not have scored if the ball had dropped in foul territory.

More On The Red Sox
Gordon Edes and the rest of the ESPNBoston.com team have the Red Sox covered for you. Blog

Francona, trying to stay alive with a bullpen reduced to just two pitchers he trusts, let Buchholz go another inning, and paid for his faith when B.J. Upton homered, matching the home run that Martinez had hit in the top of the eighth. By the 10th, only Scott Atchison stood between the Sox and disaster, and we know how that turned out.
"We should have done better yesterday,'' Ortiz said.
Martinez was immense for the Sox, with three home runs in the first two games and eight hits in the series. But by the end of the weekend, the home run tally was Rays 4, Martinez 3. The kids tried to do their part, Ryan Kalish with the catch of the season Saturday andDaniel Nava and Yamaico Navarro with RBI hits Sunday, but the Sox were outmanned.
Only once all weekend did they score more than a run in an inning, in the fifth on Sunday, when Navarro and Marco Scutaro singled home runs.
The able-bodied members of the team? Adrian Beltre vowed to play through a strained hamstring. Scutaro has an irritated rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder and is soldiering on.Mike Lowell will need hip replacement surgery sooner than later. That's three-fourths of the infield.
Still have a chance?
"I hope so,'' Francona said. "It's the only way we can go.''
Gordon Edes is ESPNBoston.com's Red Sox reporter. He has covered the Red Sox for 12 years and has reported on baseball for 25 years. Ask a question for his next mailbag here
--------------------
A few other quick links...Espn.com/boston's Chris Forsberg wrote this one, in which he surveyed a whole bunch of Boston Celtics' bloggers to get their take on what to expect from Shaq this year in terms of stats.

Lastly tonight -- the Fat Bastard pleads not guilty.

I need to catch up on some sleep...I need a vacation from my vacation. Be back with pics later this week.

Back from the Bash

2010-08-10T21:19:00.005-04:00

Bullet Bash XX went well down in Myrtle Beach last week through the weekend...and I believe I have had just enough time to recover to put a few words down that might even make some sense. Let me start with some questions I have been asked recently. So let's start with the obvious:

Where have I been?/Why nothing new on the Blog?

A. Well for one. I've been really busy at work; Second, I have not felt like I have had a lot to say ... well at least anything interesting to say; and Three, for the most part -- the Boston sports scene has been relatively boring. Which brings me to the next question:

Why have you not written anything about the Sox this year?
A. I kind of answered this last time ... but I think Bill Simmons said it right in this 1,000,000 word column. Skim it and you'll get the gist.

What do I think about Shaq coming to town and the other moves Danny has made this season?
A. Prior to the signing -- I would have never said that I want Shaq on this team. Now, since it is official (today), I am starting to look at things through my green colored glasses again. Let's go a little deeper.

The Cs were within a good solid four minutes of basketball of raising Banner 18 to the rafters last season. I thought they were going to blow it up, because the chances of this team, with players this age, staying healthy for another run are slim. However, Danny brought the band back together again and tweaked somethings along the way...most notably signing Shaq and Jermaine O'Neal to hold down the fort until Perk returns from injury.

If he signed only Shaq...I'd hate the move. If he stuck with just Jermaine O'Neal...I'd think the move was OK. Signing both -- to me -- was a great move. Two different big men, that play different games that can spell each other until Perk gets back...Count me in.

Also, Shaq may be an offensive anchor to a running game...but J.O. just may fool some people who think he is solely the player they saw in the playoffs. I'm convinced he can still play...he had many 20/10 games in Miami last year -- and word is that he was hurt in the playoffs.

Also -- consider a front line of Shaq, Perk, and O'Neal at some time next year. Not sure who would score in that unit....but I am pretty sure there will be no easy hoops. (And no -- I don't think they could really ever play on the floor together for any extended period of time).

As for the other moves: Bringing in Von Wafer, resigning Daniels and Neo Nate...I still think Danny needs one real offensive spark plug off the bench. Let's see if he can pull this one out.

As for the rookies...I'll withhold any judgement until I see them get any NBA Game action.

That's all for tonight...pardon the spelling errors -- as I did not proof this before posting. The simple reason is that my stomach is growling and " The Donga need food."

For some of today's complete coverage on Shaq bringing his game to Boston and the Cs signing Luke Harangody...check out Celticsblog.com...I've also copied and pasted below:

Please note, everything within this post below this line is copied and pasted directly from Celticsblog.com.

Shaq Brings a Bow Tie, Harangody Signs

by indeedproceed on Aug 10, 2010 2:20 PM EDT in CelticsBlog 40 comments

More photos »Greg M. Cooper - AP

Check out the bowtie. The "BigFarnsworth Bentley"? (AP Photo / Greg M. Cooper)

Today was a great summer off season day. The biggest story was Shaq's press conference, which was pretty cool. He brought Doc Rivers up to the podium with him, and predictably said all the right things (as he has been doing since he officially signed). Some quick quotes:

*Note: all quotes transcribed from YouTube video linked at end of article

Shaq, when asked if he still has a hunger for the game:

Do I have the same hunger? Yes. If I didn't, I wouldn't be here. I don't like wasting peoples' time, I don't like wasting my time. I've missed over 200 games in my career so that means I owe myself and I owe everybody two to three years left.

On Winning:

I think Doc will see and the people will see that I still have hunger and still can play and still trying to win. At the end of the day when I close my book its all about winning, nothing else.

When asked (I think, it is a little hard to hear on the video) about how Boston matches up with LeBron & Miami:

I don't say anything to that. Its going to be a long season, we know what we have to do, and we know we have a lot of pieces. We match up pretty good with anybody. You know, we have four great big men, and when 'Big Perk' comes back there's not going to be too many people that can deal with our front line...
Last year you know everybody was talking about other teams nobody ever really mentioned Boston; I think that's the way we like it around here.

Click on the jump to see Shaq's opinion on his new nickname, why he picked #36, a bunch of other stuff, and the actual youtube vids

Shaq, on his new nickname:

So far I like 'The Big Shamrock', but I might go 'The Big Green Mile' too.

Why he picked #36:

Actually it was kind of a..simple way I figured it out. I've always been in the 30's and this is the sixth team I've been with. 36.

On famous big men:

One of the first names I heard growing up in northern New Jersey, my father, took me to the park. He's like 'You gotta be a shot blocker like..Bill Russell, you gotta be dominant like Wilt Chamberlain, you gotta be a scorer like Kareem Abdul Jabbar. This is when I was like five, six, years old my father used to scream these names at me. I'm lookin' at him like 'who the (heck) are those people?'
But, you know, as I got older, and understood the game, and I learned the history of the game, its rich in tradition. You know, Mister Russell was one of the first legends to reach out to me and have a certain conversation that let me know what I needed to do to get to that next level. And um, I always wanted to thank the great Mister Russell. The greatest big man ever.

On his perceived (from the Cavs series) friction with Kendrick Perkins:

You know Perkins is a very tough defender, probably one of the best big man defenders in the league. And, it was only on the court battles slash marketing. You know, he's a guy who's not going to back down, I'm a guy who's not going to back down, and if anything I think it was good for TV. But now, being on the same team, I will give him all the knowledge I have accumulated over the past 18 years. Have we had battles? Of course we have. Have we had good battles, and bad battles? Yes we have. But that's all over now, because we're teammates.

Doc on the Celtics' trend of bringing in older, successful, experienced players, and how the chemistry will work:

If you look at the history of the Celtics, the have a history of bringing in..legends who are at the end of their career but still have enough to give to help teams win. Bill Walton comes to mind, he's the first on my list.
Its is a forumla that has worked and it is a formula that I hope continues to work...
The bottom line is, with any of these team, our team, around the league, when you get a collection of individuals you gotta make them into a team. And every time you add a new piece you almost have to restart and try to get your team back together. That's what we're going to have to do. We don't have a lot of time to do that.

Shaq again, on why/how he joined the Celtics:

Honesty. You know I've been around the league for a long time. Met a lot of shysters. We (O'Neal and Rivers) had a conversation, (he) said 'Shaq, we want you, we'd like to have you here, but we don't have a whole lot to give.' And I said 'Doc I'm not really concerned with all that. I'm just concerned with winning and being with a bunch of guys who like to play.'

O'Neal was also sure to thank Kevin Garnett for showing support and flying back for the press conference from China.

Part one of the press conference: Link

Part two of the press conference: Link

Also, in other news, Luke Harangody signs with the team:

Via Chris Forsberg, ESPN:
On the same day the Celtics introduced O'Neal to the Boston media, Harangody, the Celtics' second-round draft choice (52nd overall) this year, quietly inked a guaranteed two-year deal valued at $1.3 million.
"Seeing Shaq today, I was kinda in awe a little bit -- starstruck -- but at the same time, I gotta come in the gym everyday," said Harangody. "We’re teammates now. There’s future Hall of Fame players, but you still gotta come in and give the same effort, no matter who’s in on the floor."

One last note, if you click on the link to part 2 of the Shaq presser, a funny thing happens around 9 mins and 50 seconds. The organizer of the press conference tells everyone that Luke Harangody will be available for questions once Shaq gets off the stage, and Shaq clearly leans over and asks Doc Rivers: "Who?"

Few Links...

2010-07-25T21:32:00.003-04:00

Thank god the summer has been and will continue to be busy, including numerous trips to the Cape, a week in Costa Rica, an upcoming Bullet Bash XX in Myrtle Beach, and a farewell to summer vacation near the end of August...because the sporting scene in and around Boston has been anything but interesting.

With the exception of Jermaine O'Neal signing with the Celtics, the team in green has stayed pretty much in tact.

The Red Sox have been tough to watch as they have been playing most of the season with a triple-A squad due to all the injuries.

The Bruins got a high draft pick made a trade or two...but that is about it...

And the Patriots have been pretty quiet as training camp is set to open.

So between the busy summer, the always hectic work week, and the lack of anything of real interest happening in the Boston sports world...there hasn't been much to say.

At least that's the story I'm sticking with.

In the meantime -- here are some of the stories that caught my eye today...

The Globe has a story on the Celts that basically says that the song remains the same....The only interesting tidbit in this one is Ainge's quotes on the decisions not to overspend on second-rate free agents who haven't differentiated themselves from the others.

Chris Forsberg of ESPN.com/boston has the same piece everyone else has on the Celtics.

The Sox bullpen blew one today in frustrating fashion...which is only made more annoying by the fact that both the Yanks and Rays won.

Breaking news...Brady and the Pats still haven't agreed on a new contract.

See -- I told you there isn't much happening...At least Bill Simmons helps keep things entertaining with a Mega Mailbag...At least that should help tie us over until something happens around here.

Bit of a Break

2010-07-20T23:45:00.002-04:00

Once again - sorry for the lack of activity...Sheryl and I went away to Costa Rica on a vacation last week, and now I am paying for it at work.

This basically translates to not wanting to look at a computer when I finally do get home from work. I'll be back sometime this week with some good links.

One More Time

2010-07-09T00:49:00.002-04:00

So the Cs are giving it another run. Doc, Pierce, Ray and Danny have all decided to give it another go. I didn't think it would happen. I didn't think it should happen.

As clearly stated following the Game 7 loss, I thought the Cs should blow it up and start rebuilding to ensure Rondo has a cast around him capable of competing as he heads into the prime of his career.

All that being said...Danny seems to have done it right. He had KG on the roster for another two years, so he went and got Ray at a discount for two, as well as PP at a discount for four. Danny didn't cripple the team, he simply decided to play out his hand without totally mortgaging the future.

With today's additon of Jermaine O'Neal -- a marked upgrade over man-boobs Wallace, the team is a shooter and another solid role player from staying in contention -- as long as everyone stays somewhat healthy.

Tonight we learned that Lebron and Chris Bosh have landed in Miami -- joining D-Wade and the Heat. No doubt about it...it is a formidable trio.

All that being said, nothing would make me happier than to see the Cs draft picks pan out, pick up another solid role player or two (Ryan Gomes, Mike Miller, JJ Reddick-types)...and knock King James out of the playoffs one last time.

Coming Back From My Finals Funk

2010-06-29T21:03:00.004-04:00

OK...so it took me a few weeks to get over the crushing Game 7 loss to the Lakers...but I am finally now prepared to move on.

So to try and get back into things, I'll start with some quick links:

With two days left before the free agent signing frenzy can commence, the Celtics have a lot of unanswered questions. Will they resign Ray-Ray? Will Doc Rivers return? Will Pierce opt out? I think a lot of those questions will be answered in the next week or so.

One thing we do know is that Perkins is apparently sidelined until next December or January.

The Celtics are going one of two ways...they are either going to bring people back with the addition of a middle-of-the-road free agent or two and make one last run -- or -- they are going to blow it up and start over again.

Either way, I am hoping that one player that returns is Ryan Gomes, who was waived by Portland today. Gomes can play in this league, and while he is undersized, he would be a great bench player for this Celtics team. Just not sure if he is going to want to come here if the Celtics are going back into rebuilding mode.

With all that being said...Gerry Callahan is encouraging Danny Ainge to have the balls to blow it all up.

All's not well on the rookie front either, as the Cs first-round pick needs to have ankle surgery.

Onto the Red Sox....who have climbed back into within two games of the Yankees in the east. While the injury bug has bit hard, some good news came out today -- Buchholz will not be going on the DL...and is expected start on Monday or Tuesday.

Tito is not letting all the injuries get him down.

Newsflash: Jon Lester is good.

That's it for tonight...Time for dinner.

Window is Closed

2010-06-18T00:10:00.008-04:00

Barring some unforeseen Danny Ainge magic, the Boston Celtics championship window for the KG, RA, PP era closed tonight with a 83-79 loss to the Lakers in Game 7.

I'll have plenty more to say in the coming days, but this wasn't a shocker. The Cs played mediocre basketball all season long -- mainly due to injuries and age. However, when the playoffs came, they turned it on. For that, I am thankful.

When Ainge put the nucleus of this team together a few years ago -- the main consensus was that they had three years to pull off a ring. Well lo-and-behold they went and did it in their first year together, made a great run last year but were sidelined by a key injury, and then battled hard to within five points of making it two rings in three years.

Shit. I'll trade Al Jefferson for that any day of the week.

The Celts this year were like that old family dog you had forever that everyone kept expecting to die. However, in it's last months, the dog starts acting like a puppy again. While it is fun, and exciting to play with the dog again, everyone knows it isn't going to last.

They almost did it. And I am thankful for the run. Let's be honest -- when the playoffs started no one expected this team to win a ring.

It just hurts a bit, because they got so close...and it really hurts because the lost to the Lakers.

Not sure where it goes from here, though. Looks like it is time to rebuild. Don't be fooled. This was their final chance with this core group. Let's hope Danny has a few tricks up his sleeve to make the process a little shorter.

All Knotted Up

2010-06-11T00:18:00.003-04:00

Too tired to write much about tonight's game. But the Cs did just enough not to put themselves in a big hole. Sparked by great bench play in the third and the fourth, the Cs held on to even up the series at 2-2 with a 96-89 win.

It was an ugly game throughout the first half, but the bench made sure the series wasn't lost with outstanding contributions from both Big Baby and Neo-Nate.

Sunday night is now a huge game, as it will be a lot easier to go back to LA needing to win one instead of two.

More later.

Taking Care of a "Must Win"

2010-06-07T00:33:00.005-04:00

There are not too many "must-win" game 2s in sports. Tonight was one of them. There was no way the Celtics could come back to Boston down 0-2, and win 4 out of the next 5 against this very good Laker team.

Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo ensured the win tonight with a NBA Finals record 8 threes from Allen, and a triple double from Rondo, who also threw in some huge baskets in the final minutes to seal the deal. The Cs went on to win 103-94.

Who would have thought that the Celtics could win a Finals game against this Lakers team when both Pierce and Garnett combined for just four field goals?

But they did. And now the series returns to Boston.

Tonight's win is a good example of what makes this Boston team so good offensively. They have four players that can step up and win a game at anytime. Two of them were on their game tonight.

But it is not only the offense. The Celtics' defense seemed to be back tonight. Not great, but good enough. They were scrappy and battling all night. And there is no doubt about it. When you get to the NBA playoffs, defense wins championships.

I couldn't be happier with the way these playoffs have transpired -- especially after watching this team play the way they did throughout the regular season. To make it to the NBA finals and pull off a split in LA after getting man-handled in game 1. All I can say is...

Bring on game 3.

So, What Happened?

2010-06-05T01:07:00.005-04:00

I'm not going to sit here and tell you I thought the Celtics would win Game 1. I just hoped they would. I thought it would have been a huge confidence deflater.

That being said. I also didn't think the Celts would walk out and look so outmatched. Just a bad performance all around. The Lakers easily walked away with Game 1, and now, Game 2 is a must-have.

So before we get into what the Celtics must do to win the next game, let's talk about what went wrong. Here are some of my random thoughts that I typed in an email to my buddy Billy Brooks before it turned into a 20-point lead for the Lakers in the fourth:

-- Ray Allen needs a lot of touches in this series.
-- The Cs can't seem to rebound -- therefore they can't run.
-- The Cs can't get a shot in the paint without getting blocked.

-- Gasol looks like a different player than I have ever seen him be.
-- Tony Allen, once again seems like he is playing on two vials of crack.

-- The Cs are two steps behind every loose ball.

-- Jack Nicholson looks younger than Michael Finley.

-- Garnett does not seem to be himself -- he needs to get an elbow in the face from someone to fire him back up.

-- Their defense looks like shit...I swear every time I look up, the Lakers are getting another easy hoop.

-- The Cs have missed way too many open shots.

So that was my take during the game...and when I wrote those down, the Cs were only down 9. LA went on to go up 20, before PP made a mini-run and brought it back down to 9...None of it really mattered though.

The Lakers were the tougher, grittier team on Thursday. They got to ever rebound, loose ball and 50/50 play. The Celtics were out-matched, out-coached, and out-played.

So what do they need to do Sunday night? They need to start off being the aggressors and taking the fight to LA. They were too often on their heels in Game 1, and it showed in the stats and the outcome. They need to clean the glass. They need to make sure Gasol knows there are no easy baskets.

Let Kobe be Kobe...but stop everyone else. That is the key. Hard-core team defense, rebounding and pushing the ball.

Make sure Rondo can run and create...and the only way that happens is by making yourself known on the defensive end and eliminating second chance opportunities.

Game 2...in my opinion....is a must win. The Celtics cannot come back needing to win 4 out of 5. It is too big of a hill to climb against an opponent that showed it can play some pretty solid defense as well.

Playing For The Crown

2010-05-29T00:28:00.004-04:00

I'm not going to lie. I thought I had jinxed the Celtics after they went up 3-0 against the Magic. In the previous post, I wrote something along the lines of "there is no way this Celtics' team is going to lose four in a row to the Magic with the type of defense they are playing."

I haven't posted anything since then, and the Celtics went on to play crappy, yet still just miss in game 4, and then get blown out in game 5.

I woke up this morning stressed out about tonight's game. I'm not sure what that says about me: I'm 41 years old, I have a wife and two kids, I have a mortgage, a demanding job, etc...and I still woke up worried about the Celtics game tonight. What am I, 12?

Nonetheless...that is who I am. If the Cs lost tonight, it likely would have ruined my favorite holiday weekend of the year -- Memorial Day. I would have spent Saturday and all-day Sunday up until tip-off stressed out. Don't get me wrong. Coming into the playoffs, I didn't think the Celts would make the NBA finals...however, when they beat Cleveland, and then went up 3-0 in the ECF, it all changed. After watching the Bruins blow a 3-0 lead, I couldn't bear the thought of the Celtics coughing it up as well...call it hometown pride.

I also would have been extremely frustrated because this team had made me believe after game 3. Their defense had been unreal. And then they went and reverted back to the up-and-down team they were all season.

But...that's all water under the bridge. The Cs took care of business tonight. Making it two trips to the NBA finals in three years. I couldn't be happier. I screamed at the TV all night tonight and now my wife thinks I'm crazy. My daughter thinks I'm crazy. My son -- well my son -- he likes riding his bike.

There is no mistaking -- this team's window is just about shut -- and I couldn't be happier that they didn't squander their chances.

The Celtics will now go on to take on Phoenix or LA, and either one will be tough, but that is a discussion for another day.

What matters most is that the Celtics took care of business. They didn't let the chance slip through their hands. Now, Banner 18 is just four wins away.

Complete Dominance

2010-05-22T22:48:00.009-04:00

The Boston Celtics walked into game three tonight knowing they could pretty much put this series away...and they did just that.

Never taking their foot off the throats of the Orlando Magic, the Cs led wire-to-wire in this one against a team that looked like it was thinking about golf and fishing by midway through the second quarter.

The Celtics' defense was just smothering holding the Magic to just 56 points with five minutes left in the fourth...all the while contesting every shot and clogging the middle on every play while holding a consistent 20 point lead.

With 8 minutes left in the fourth...it was officially garbage time as the Celtics trotted out a lineup consisting of Vin Baker, Joe Forte, Kelvin Upshaw, Todd Day, and Acie Earl...and still went on to win by 23 points...94-71.

The Celtics had six players in double figures...yet no one had more than 20. Just balanced team play on both sides of the floor all night long. As Jeff from Celticsblog.com said following the game: This Celtics team has made a habit out of making teams give up.

Also -- if there is any one play that really shows which team wants this more...it is this one.

Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel has this biting recap of Game 3. It is a great read.

I hate to get cocky after watching what happened between the Bruins and the Flyers...but basketball is different. And if the Celtics keep playing this type of defense...Orlando doesn't have a shot of coming back.

Cs Take Two

2010-05-19T00:50:00.003-04:00

The 2010 Boston Celtics walked into Orlando and did what no other Celtics team has done in the franchise's storied history. Take the first two on the road in a playoff series. So much to say about the way this team has played in the playoffs thus far. Far and away better defense, balanced offense. Team ball.

Here is espn.com/boston's take on tonight's gritty game.

I am a little surprise as well at the uninspired team ball Orlando has played so far. The way they handled the last minute of the game was horrendous.

I'm wiped tonight, since I watched this late on the DVR...but I'll have more later this week and catch up with an overdue links edition.

Celts in 6

2010-05-13T23:12:00.003-04:00

Well...after the up and down regular season this Cs team had, I can't say that I saw this coming. But tonight, the Celts knocked the Cavs out of the playoffs with a 94-85 win.

Give the Cs all the credit. They have come together at the right time. Their health is back, their defense seems to be back, and they have a lot of weapons, and at any time -- any one of those weapons can lead this team to a victory.

But what really stood out to me tonight -- in what could be King James' last game for the Cavs -- was how easily that team rolled over and gave up at the end of the game.

With the game still in striking distance, the Cavs (who, may I remind you, had the best record during the regular season), gave up. They didn't pressure the Cs...they just pulled back to the key. For the love of God...Mo Williams was walking the ball up the court instead of pushing it.

If I am a Cleveland fan...I'm disgusted.

Also -- hats off to the Boston fans for their "New York Knicks" taunt while Lebron was on the free throw line. Great originality.

Now the Celts move onto Orlando on Sunday to take on the Magic and their soft 8-0 postseason record.

Between now and then, I'll be tuning into the Bs game 7 against the Flyers tomorrow night hoping the Bruins can overcome the massive momentum shift that has happened in that series, and avoid the embarrassing loss after -- at one time -- being up 3-0.

The Rajon Rondo Show

2010-05-09T22:49:00.005-04:00

That is what you call "Stepping Up."

Rajon Rondo basically told the rest of the Celtics to "get on his back" and made sure that the Green would play yet again in 2010 on the Garden floor.

Walking off the floor to the chants of 'MVP," Rondo racked up 29 pts, 18 rebs, and 13 assists. He was simply amazing. Doing all the little things and the big things bring home the win.

Locking up the series at 2-2 with a 97-87 win, Rondo and the Celtics made sure the Cavs knew they weren't going away easy.

While Rondo was easily the story of the game, there were others that deserve some serious credit. Both Glen Davis and Tony Allen provided a much needed spark off the bench. Allen - who I have butchered in this space before (even at one time calling him the single dumbest player in the NBA), was tremendous. Shockingly in control, he played hard defense on King James and put out very productive minutes with 15 points in 26 minutes. Davis did his thing as well, with extra hustle and some big loose-ball plays that either turn the tide or stopped the tide from turning when he made them.

Ray Allen also played another solid game tonight. Aside from Rondo, he seemed to be one of the only starting five that realized that if they lost today they were likely done for the series. Ray had 18 points on 8 for 21 shooting, but his stat line doesn't tell the story. He played impressive help defense throughout, and spent much of the fourth covering Lebron. While his numbers might not show it, his presence and energy on the floor were a huge factor.

The Cavs and Cs lock up again on Tuesday night for game five.

Elsewhere -- the Sox took the final game of the series tonight against the Yanks with a 9-3 win to avoid the sweep.

The Bs are back on the ice tomorrow night hoping to finish off the Broad Street Bullies.

Also this weekend...the McGettricks celebrated a milestone birthday as Gam hit 70...Happy Birthday Mom! Additionally, Happy Mother's Day to all you Moms out there -- and especially to the one who makes sure my son doesn't go to school each day with his pants on backwards.

That's all for tonight -- I'll check back in this week.

Be Back This Week

2010-05-03T00:30:00.002-04:00

Non-stop work...mixed in with a bunch of travel, has kept me off the blog. I'll be back as soon as Rasheed Wallace earns $1 of his multi-million dollar contract against the Cavs.

Two Out of Three Ain't Bad

2010-04-24T00:36:00.005-04:00

After a less-than-enjoyable regular season, the first round of the NBA playoffs for the Celtics so far this year has been fun to watch, and tonight was no different as Paul Pierce buried a jumper from the right side of the key with two seconds left to give the Celtics the 3-0 advantage.

Pierce's dagger in the Heat's side was double edged as a play earlier, Heat superstar Dwayne Wade came down off a jump shot on Ray Allen's foot and had to be carried off the court. Miami's best player had to watch the final shot from the bench...And if the agony he was in tonight is any indication of future availability...I would not expect him to show up for game 4 on Sunday.

Then again...the Celtic's captain left the floor in a wheel chair two years ago...only to come back and play five minutes later...so I guess anything is possible.

Elsewhere tonight in Boston, the Sox beat the Orioles 4-3...and David Ortiz woke up.

The Bruins couldn't keep momentum going as their offense did not show up...as the Bs couldn't close out the first round series.

That's all for tonight ... too tired after a 55 hour, four-day work week -- and too much sports tonight to keep a coherent thought...I'm drained.

Whoops.

2010-04-11T23:09:00.003-04:00

I was so caught up last night in getting ready for Florida and the night's wins by the Sox, Cs and Bs...that I completely overlooked the fact that the BC Eagle hockey team won the NCAA championship last night...it's second in three year.

Now my oversight may have been due to my minimal interest in college hockey...or it might be subconsciously due to the fact that I am a BU alum...

Either way. Two championships in three years should not be ignored. Congrats to the team from the Heights. I'm sure the beers at the Last Drop will taste a little better this spring.