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and Bernie Mikalaz is crying about it in the St Louis Post-Dispatch.  Boo Whoo!!!!

Read the article here

Here is an interesting stat from our fair and unbiased NBA Finals thus far.

Personal fouls:

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Game 1 - 29-22 (Lakers with more fouls)

Game 2 - 28-21 (Lakers)

Game 3 - 28-23 (Boston)

Game 4 - 24-23 (Boston)

Game 5 - 28-28 (Push)

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This stat in itself might not be as obvious until one realizes that prior to Game 4,

“on June 10, 2008, Donaghy’s attorney filed a court document alleging, among other things, that Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings was fixed by two referees. The letter states that Donaghy “learned from Referee A that Referees A and F wanted to extend the series to seven games.”

So, it seems hard for me to believe that the refs weren’t affecting the outcome of games because now it seems pretty obvious when you look at the cold hard evidence above that they are now forcibly keeping it even. Please comment if you disagree, because I want to be proven wrong, I want to believe that the NBA isn’t one big charade.

The corruption of professional sports rears its ugly head once again! Thanks a lot David Stern for obliterating what was once a great sport to watch.

It may be happening!!!! If Perk, and/or Rondo can’t go Sunday night in LA, is it possible everyone’s favorite Celtic big man, Brian Scalbrine, might get a chance to suit up?

The NBA’s Best Boston Celtics (Jesus I did not think I would type that for a long time) have stopped the Houston Rockets win streak at 22 games, with a 94-74 victory last night.

The game tied at 40 at the half looked to be a close one until the Celtics blew it open in the third, and never looked back.  The Celtics limited the Rockets to 74 points, and only 34 second half points.  All the while Leon Powe poured in 21 for the C’s and MVP candidate Tracey McGrady was held to 8.  Leon Powe for MVP?

Boston continues their tour of Texas Thursday to face off against the Dallas Mavericks.  While Houston travels to New Orleans to face the Hornets.

One third of the way through the season and the “Boston Three Party” is living up to it’s billing. On their way to a league leading 28-3 record to date, the triumvirate of KG, Ray Allen and “The Truth” Paul Pierce has put their personal numbers aside to work toward the one thing none of them have gotten, and NBA championship. The two biggest concerns heading into this season was the bench and Doc Rivers ability to handle a roster, any roster. Well Doc has impressed thus far, my biggest criticism of him a month ago was that he wasn’t integrating the bench players enough and that he was relying too much on the starters. Huge games from Tony Allen and “Big Baby” Davis have proved that he’s leaving the “2nd unit” (they don’t like being called “bench players”) in games longer lately. This is a good thing because come playoff a strong 2nd unit is what sustains playoff runs.

Having seen every game this season you know what you’re gonna get from the starting 5, everyone has their roles and everyone sticks to them. KG brings a double-double, Pierce is the playmaker, Allen shoots the lights out, Perk is the garbage man, and Rondo is growing into more of a playmaker every game. Rondo’s development has been most impressive this season. There are games when he manages the game letting everyone else score, but then there are games when he realizes that he’s pretty good, and he belongs in this league and he just takes over. If he can find a consistent middle ground they’ll be in good shape.

You also know what they’ll get from House and Posey. House is instant offense reminiscent of Vinny “The Microwave” Johnson. James Posey does everything, the biggest being along with KG he is the glue of this team. The rest of the reserves are rounding into shape, and the development of two player in particular are two of the keys to the Celtics’ success the rest of the season. Here are three things that will tell if the C’s will hang that 17th championship banner:

1. Health. 3 stars in their 30’s all playing 35+ minutes a game. 70 wins aren’t important. Staying healthy through the playoffs is key, and Doc better start being mindful of this in the second half.

2. Growth of a Big Baby. It was a steal getting a polished big man in the 2nd round. He proved how valuable he’s going to be for the stretch run against Detroit on saturday. The C’s need a front court scorer off the bench because Pollard is a liability on the offensive end. Big Baby has shown flashes of the skill that made him the SEC player of the year, but he’s still learning the pro game. He still has a lot to learn but if he can use his girth to his advantage he can play a big role in the 2nd half and playoffs. I hear people he’s gonna be a star, but don’t kid yourself. He’ll be a solid NBA player but he has little chance of averaging better than 15-8 in season.

3. Tony Allen rediscovering his game. When Pierce went down last year Allen played some amazing basketball. Then he blows out his knee on a dunk after the whistle blows and his season is over. Instead of continuing to grow he has to rehab his knee for the second time. Allen is their best defensive guard and the quickest guy off the dribble other than Rondo. If the Celts are gonna win the East they’re going to face some great guards like Dwyane Wade and Chauncey Billups, not to mention the prospect of Tony Parker, Chris Paul or Deron Williams in the finals. Rondo is becoming a great floor leader at the point but he gets eaten alive by bigger, skilled guards, like he did against Billups in Boston to the tune of 28-8. If Tony Allen can handle point duties like he did against the Lakers in LA then the C’s have the answer to probably their biggest weakness.

Don’t know when I’ll get to blog again, happy new year, stay classy.

I’m back, it’s been awhile but I find I have some free time and computer access, this doesn’t happen often so I’m taking advantage.  I would about the utter dominance of the UConn girls basketball team and how they are poised for their 3rd undefeated season ever, and a national championship, while locking up their potential 3rd consecutive national high school player of the year recruit, but I’d never hear the end of it from Ken N, and he’d probably just erase it. 

Instead I’m gonna talk about the C’s cuz I have thoroughly enjoyed watching every game this season and Skip Bayless’s opinion of our new treasure the Big Ticket, Mr. Kevin Garnett.  Skip has called Mr. Ticket “Kevin Gar-not” for the duration of his career because he “constantly disappears in big games”.   After watching KG intently on a nightly basis for the first 30 games of this season I can say with confidence that his previous failures in the playoffs had nothing to do with him, and everything to do with the supporting cast he was stuck with. 

In the 12 years he was in Minnesotta the best supporting cast was no more than the two of the following of Terrell Brandon, Stephon Marbury, Sam Cassell, Joe Smith and Michael Olowokandi.  There are two borderline all-stars in that grouping, and by borderline they may have made an appearance or two in the exhibition but weren’t consistent participants.  This was while competing in the loaded Western Conference which had tag teams of Kobe-Shaq, Duncan-Robinson, and Barkley-Olajuwon.   You can’t win in the playoffs by yourself.  Jordan couldn’t do it.  Magic didn’t do it.  Larry didn’t do it.  Wilt, Kareem, Jerry, Russell as great as they all were couldn’t do it.

One thing that every Celtic fan now knows is that KG does whatever it takes to win.  We have seen him put aside personal stats to lead his team to the best record in the league.  All of his numbers are down across the board except for free throw %, field goal % and steals, and by watching him play, do you think he cares?  He’s playing with the energy of a 20 year old while mentoring the young kids on the team and teaching them the subtleties of the pro game.  That’s maybe his biggest accomplishment in this, and MVP season.  His role in the development of the young players and their growing contributions as the season goes on.  So go ahead Skip and call him whatever names you want but come the playoffs this year, you’ll either be eating your words or singing his praises.  I hope it’s the latter because I’ll be the first person to call you out on it, you pompous bastard. 

 Frank Garvis

I got to admit that I would love to see Reggie Miller in a Celtics uniform, its just that I wish this would be ten years ago.  I guess he can give some advice and what not, just not really sure how this makes any sense for the Celtics.  I can see the next headline, Larry Bird attempting comeback with the Indiana Pacers.  Here is the story if you want to try to make sense out of it.

(photo borrowed from ESPN.com)

Kevin Garnett has already given his new team something substantial.

A discount.

To clinch his Tuesday trade to the Boston Celtics, Garnett agreed to a three-year contract extension worth just over $51 million.   Rest at ESPN.com

Looks like my former beloved Celtics are closing in on Kevin Garnett. On one hand this is a great deal for the Celtics, they to me, become the odds on favorite to win the East. Then there is the other hand, in the fact that they gave up WAY to much. I know my brother is going to say, well one of the draft picks was already Minnesota’s from the Wally trade, that doesn’t make it better. If you look at the players that are being traded, we are giving up six first rounders (if you count the picks that Minnesota gets), well there goes the future. This means we will be well into the luxury tax, for a long long time, all with this win now mentality (not that I am against this). The main problem I see is if one player gets disgruntled, injured or something else (thanks Vinny Baker), well guess what, the Celtics get screwed. If that happens, it will be five to six years, before we have a chance to either rebuild or win for now. I just hope Danny is still at the helm then, a few championships richer.

Edit:  Apparently the other pick we traded was lottery protected, I might start warming to this deal.