tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63755924397636659652024-03-12T18:46:59.131-07:00GreenHeadzA Fly Celtics BlogHeadzGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13800605903499072278noreply@blogger.comBlogger139125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6375592439763665965.post-24325337723454151722014-03-30T12:19:00.000-07:002014-03-30T12:50:19.390-07:00Following The Brooklyn Bounce, Celtics Have Big Personnel Decisions To Make<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIs2HkPSy0gVAWFxq3CK8pL0t3bxG7rnQ4xYy2PIWhequn-lueohdUV4c3a0zD7SZPZhl_L4-6ov5kD_6BeM0fqjXd_ydXabTcJnmtl08sRdAw_SWo0uKLIZtWGYY_bOGqNA08OTBCQM/s1600/celtics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIs2HkPSy0gVAWFxq3CK8pL0t3bxG7rnQ4xYy2PIWhequn-lueohdUV4c3a0zD7SZPZhl_L4-6ov5kD_6BeM0fqjXd_ydXabTcJnmtl08sRdAw_SWo0uKLIZtWGYY_bOGqNA08OTBCQM/s1600/celtics.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I know that the Celtics just lost two in a row to the
Playoff-bound Toronto Raptors. I know that there have been 72 games played
already and that for the first time six years, the C’s are not making it to the
second season. And, I know that there are some hard decisions that lie ahead
for Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens about personnel and the future of the Boston
Celtics.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsL6834OJn5RlXLXds5OC6fWikx0vpXcLQ6Ul5lg9mLvT_x394u90SHv2khTHsWiklWgEAoDySjT0L5TuE-nz3o3OOyC0udtiB-q_y-xVnvmEzLeWjeRORJVDKl78K3plwMH3HqbGPUQ/s1600/Danny+and+Brad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsL6834OJn5RlXLXds5OC6fWikx0vpXcLQ6Ul5lg9mLvT_x394u90SHv2khTHsWiklWgEAoDySjT0L5TuE-nz3o3OOyC0udtiB-q_y-xVnvmEzLeWjeRORJVDKl78K3plwMH3HqbGPUQ/s1600/Danny+and+Brad.jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The crazy thing is, none of that really matters to me right now and
the truth of it is, it hasn’t mattered to me all season. My guess (and it’s an
educated one, because I’ve talked to a few other C’s fans out there over the
course of the season) is that there are others out there who will relate to the
sentiment I’m about to express: nothing has really mattered because my brain
has yet to process the entirety of the ending of the era that once was since Paul
Pierce and co. left town.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj302Hr5bLqk7GxFMFeRRkWDIWdwrq_fKXlkcX2SOCZPIZYMWQp8SG7CO289IJzpfEWTtieJmH2-Udlo0tlUE4wmjt8McJuGj0kGbX6h2Z45gGEOuDHTPQse__A1SOf4lU03DkPKaPHsB0/s1600/pierce+garnett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj302Hr5bLqk7GxFMFeRRkWDIWdwrq_fKXlkcX2SOCZPIZYMWQp8SG7CO289IJzpfEWTtieJmH2-Udlo0tlUE4wmjt8McJuGj0kGbX6h2Z45gGEOuDHTPQse__A1SOf4lU03DkPKaPHsB0/s1600/pierce+garnett.jpg" height="280" width="400" /></a></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sure, I’ve watched the games and cheered my team on, rooting for
the next generation wearing the green and white and wishing for brighter days.
But, my mind has yet to take this season out of the context of what we were and what
we now are as a result of who we no longer have – especially because they’re
off chasing Playoff glory with another team while we’re stuck in neutral. Coincidentally,
with the Lakers also out of it, this will mark only the second time in 65 years
that one of the two teams didn’t make the playoffs. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, with that, let me recap my feelings from the last game played
this season against our former captain and his new band of brothers. And then,
I promise you – I’ll move on and I’ll even try to squeeze out a thoughtful assessment
of the talent remaining on the team and what the Celtics should do with it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Ah Brooklyn Brooklyn take me in<br />
Are you aware the shape I'm in<br />
My hands they shake my head it spins<br />
Ah Brooklyn Brooklyn take me in<br />
-- </span></em><span style="color: #003399; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><em><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Avett Brothers</span></em></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the end, it was just another beating at the hands of a superior
team. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When the Celtics met the Nets for the 4</span><sup><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">th</span></sup><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> and final time of
this long, agonizing death of a season, it was merely a case of the better team
clinically and unemotionally taking care of business against a team that’s been
bound for the NBA Lottery since the tip of the ball at the start of the season.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtQPN-qAyFAdAby3IEDIoi0Dh9ihTBg3ZjOgJ1IHW_KQ1FyPRcqSDRGoQi2wMZH0R7iDzEtRSuJe-F9FiXLpE5yMW7yxZB5k1YtIuNATDgtJqGTm93NaATYDAjcPtlphxPcLu4QJUu0M/s1600/Pierce+Brooklyn+Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtQPN-qAyFAdAby3IEDIoi0Dh9ihTBg3ZjOgJ1IHW_KQ1FyPRcqSDRGoQi2wMZH0R7iDzEtRSuJe-F9FiXLpE5yMW7yxZB5k1YtIuNATDgtJqGTm93NaATYDAjcPtlphxPcLu4QJUu0M/s1600/Pierce+Brooklyn+Blue.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Celtics – 1-3 against the Nets and 23-49 against the rest of
the League – were bludgeoned by the Brooklynites for much of the game, which
was remarkable for its general lack of remarkableness. Sure, you had the most
familiar of faces from around these parts now toiling for the black and white
(actually, in this one, he toiled for Brooklyn Dodger grey and blue…but I
digress…) in Paul Pierce, but it wasn’t really our former captain…it was a guy
who used to play here coming back to win a game that his team needed in order
to continue their momentum and steady march toward better seeding in the
Playoffs.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To continue with the “ex-wife\ex-husband” analogy that I, and so
many others, employed to describe the trade that ushered in this new era of
Piercelessness, this final reunion felt – at least for me – like that moment when
one realizes that the flickering of a former flame has finally gone completely
cold.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvDt81raOQXucTgUf1N3Oj_d7lNUY5XDZ8mXPHOp3JfztFM1MLuGSTj8WYejoIzZCe3elDQ8q-FwtTPBbSSUniuK5OMLn2cPzd8iq37-SG3oVjtnzVvctUe4tsla5BcUYHURCkai4IaU/s1600/Garnett+Rondo+Pierce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvDt81raOQXucTgUf1N3Oj_d7lNUY5XDZ8mXPHOp3JfztFM1MLuGSTj8WYejoIzZCe3elDQ8q-FwtTPBbSSUniuK5OMLn2cPzd8iq37-SG3oVjtnzVvctUe4tsla5BcUYHURCkai4IaU/s1600/Garnett+Rondo+Pierce.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Though, without a doubt, there were still some feelings of
nostalgia and maybe even some sentimentality, as evidenced by the friendly
fist-bumps and passed pleasantries between former teammates and front-office
friends. But, behind the increasingly brief reminiscences, there was formality
and finality – Pierce, Garnett and the rest of the Nets were focused on the
looming Playoffs, having long-since come to grips with the move to Brooklyn;
and the Celtics, while continuing to acknowledge the special history shared
between the two players and their former team, have turned their attentions to
the NBA Draft Lottery and the team that they must continue to rebuild.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This, by the way, is a good thing. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Because, as we sit four notches from the bottom of the anemic
Eastern Conference with just ten games left in the season, there are a lot of
questions to be answered and decisions to be made. A whole lot. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As our beloved team prepares to move from the bench to the couch, management
has any number of trade combinations ready to be worked and a ridiculously rich
number of draft prospects available, none of which I am prepared to get into. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No, instead, I think I’ll just focus on those players with jerseys
sitting in the home locker room that Danny is evaluating and assessing even as
you read this. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioQzws5HZ63PbbiVoKol4hHAiJqo9WPusGjH7mmJWNChvBT87xbWZCd60eYmI82GdhdwloSyaujfKRFlnlR3FdmrvDYwCHauW3VyN6Ay6bL9Q942JqM9N0edgQLM-9Jd-bXf7TXBvSTM/s1600/rondo+floored.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioQzws5HZ63PbbiVoKol4hHAiJqo9WPusGjH7mmJWNChvBT87xbWZCd60eYmI82GdhdwloSyaujfKRFlnlR3FdmrvDYwCHauW3VyN6Ay6bL9Q942JqM9N0edgQLM-9Jd-bXf7TXBvSTM/s1600/rondo+floored.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rajon Rondo:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> If anyone has ever read even one of my posts about Rondo,
then you already know what I’m going to say: Talent like his doesn’t come
around often and he is the embodiment of what a true point-guard should be. If
Danny can get him some scorers to run with, then I see no intelligent reason to
let this future Hall-of-Famer slip out of town and help some other team play
for a ring.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz10BTfC9rgfdvYMecQUvd_Av9NYSGUaTMst_kw1_m0FTGy91QToIOChgxPAW6KL6IBsRc7Rn7m3VnAP69EVwuyiB_wGJ1GamxfSJ-5fBGImDgCee2qhI4FnBqUsu-PYGshXMnM9nMUzQ/s1600/avery+over+Allen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz10BTfC9rgfdvYMecQUvd_Av9NYSGUaTMst_kw1_m0FTGy91QToIOChgxPAW6KL6IBsRc7Rn7m3VnAP69EVwuyiB_wGJ1GamxfSJ-5fBGImDgCee2qhI4FnBqUsu-PYGshXMnM9nMUzQ/s1600/avery+over+Allen.jpg" height="332" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Avery Bradley: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Maybe I’m just drinking the green Kool-Aid, but I think
he’s earned the right to be the Celtics’ second guard next to Rondo. He’s
finally stepped up his offensive game in the way that fans have been clamoring
for since his arrival as one of the best on-the-ball defenders in the League.
The common wisdom was, “If this kid could only get his act together on offense,
he’d be AMAZING.” Well, how does 15 points per game while shooting the three-ball
at a clip of 37% grab you? Sure, I’d prefer for a starting 2-guard to be a
little taller, but what he lacks in height at 6’ 2”, he more than makes up for
in tenaciousness and hops. It should take something really special to make
Danny part with this guy. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6oWvcYzS6tu-F0ebJ1dkr-QSJZgdFJOytxc60MH2Rc3U-tJFctb_hNF96YSspNuRTVeLnbG9l0078bsY6J4yBWF2gVMnSfEodjdHImseWFv7V9AzA1fttEB8XW6ANk6tS3j9UgG3W7c/s1600/bass+defends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6oWvcYzS6tu-F0ebJ1dkr-QSJZgdFJOytxc60MH2Rc3U-tJFctb_hNF96YSspNuRTVeLnbG9l0078bsY6J4yBWF2gVMnSfEodjdHImseWFv7V9AzA1fttEB8XW6ANk6tS3j9UgG3W7c/s1600/bass+defends.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a>
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Brandon Bass:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> The stats: 11 points 6 rebounds and shooting 48 percent,
and almost 90% free throws. Since he arrived in Boston in the swap for Big Baby
Davis, he’s been nothing but the loyal, hard-working soldier and I see a place
for him on this team, even as Olynyk begins to take on a larger role. But, will
he be happy with being possibly/eventually the third-string forward behind Sullinger
and Olynyk? And, it’s only a matter of time (and draft picks) before the
Celtics start rolling with a permanent center over 6’ 9”, so it’s entirely
possible that Bass ends up being a trade chip down the line. If it gets him to
a place with playing time and a shot at the Playoffs for the prime of his
career, I’m all for it. I think he’s probably going to be a casualty of the
glut of bigs with only so much playing time to go around, and the fact that he
has good value for contending teams in need of a “stretch 4.”</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69O5J9_STH45yDXRKSXnc0r8K8QDNAUq4P91Yb50dBChQ5s1tLaPqUqH3ypeBXZ9XNByhegVLCgSiJ1hbDIpvGYLPvt4wpe2hKZ35oWaxNZAFvmxpRewM72CLsSbJIv9yFTXW-alVGN0/s1600/sully.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69O5J9_STH45yDXRKSXnc0r8K8QDNAUq4P91Yb50dBChQ5s1tLaPqUqH3ypeBXZ9XNByhegVLCgSiJ1hbDIpvGYLPvt4wpe2hKZ35oWaxNZAFvmxpRewM72CLsSbJIv9yFTXW-alVGN0/s1600/sully.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69O5J9_STH45yDXRKSXnc0r8K8QDNAUq4P91Yb50dBChQ5s1tLaPqUqH3ypeBXZ9XNByhegVLCgSiJ1hbDIpvGYLPvt4wpe2hKZ35oWaxNZAFvmxpRewM72CLsSbJIv9yFTXW-alVGN0/s1600/sully.jpg" height="400" width="213" /></a></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jared Sullinger: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He’s a keeper. There’s no two ways about it. The days of
Sullinger breaking out into a 20/10 player aren’t far away. If you’re going to
have to choose between Bass and Sully long-term, it’s Sullinger who has the bigger
upside and the kind of toughness you want out of your present-day power
forward. Could he improve his free throw shooting, particularly since he will
be drawing scads of fouls as he works his body into position under the hoop for
years to come? Absolutely. He’s no Shaq, but even at 77% from the stripe, he’s
giving up the kinds of freebies that can add up to be the difference in tight
games. And, if he’s going to insist on shooting the three regularly, then he’s
going to have to do better than 25% to make taking the shot worthwhile. He
could (emphasis on “could”) develop into a Kevin Love-type if he stays healthy
and keeps working at it.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jeff Green:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Ahhh, Jeff, Jeff Jeff. Let’s all just face it,
Greenheadz, he’s never going to be that #1 that everybody hoped he would be,
failing at first to help us forget Kendrick Perkins and then becoming a very
unreliable replacement (non-replacement?) for Paul Pierce. But, with that said,
he’s still a really good #2 and a Hell of a #3. What I’m saying is, he’ll never
be the player you </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ef6zoO8I4T24nJKBAexucuDQTZzXYC-0h0eVUaozf7CkzZNMZN9mLvCu0lq3Ul5adFnZi3fFtctKQxBGEJnkhFgzYtGX-mABJEFDF8j-J1F6QqAULppR8t7qR-Bv-KQXEDULWMT6fJs/s1600/green-raptors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ef6zoO8I4T24nJKBAexucuDQTZzXYC-0h0eVUaozf7CkzZNMZN9mLvCu0lq3Ul5adFnZi3fFtctKQxBGEJnkhFgzYtGX-mABJEFDF8j-J1F6QqAULppR8t7qR-Bv-KQXEDULWMT6fJs/s1600/green-raptors.jpg" height="222" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
count on as your night-in, night-out leader, but he can blow
up and get you 40 on any given night. Of course, he’ll probably then come back
and give you six the next night, but… Look, he’ll never be your Jordan, he’s
not even going to be your Pippen, but he’s still a bit of a step up from your
Horace Grant, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> guy was
instrumental in helping the Bulls to three Championships and the Lakers to one.
I would love to see Jeff become an important piece of an up-and-coming
contender in Boston, but I wonder how long Danny will tolerate his uneven
performances before he fields that inevitable call with the
offer-he-can’t-refuse for a more established if less-talented player or even
MORE first-round picks. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPIo9yW4jiKe_aGkpKYh54zByVtWe9vwOd827e4k2ulycx4LQTMT7Kdk0zvNpi6jgoMB3Iq0yQL3PewQz3bH6zi2y74JLFtnFwRIVesSk0LhPka__GE_m0snk5P-RrZqbLLNsIi088eg/s1600/kelly_olynyk+floorburns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPIo9yW4jiKe_aGkpKYh54zByVtWe9vwOd827e4k2ulycx4LQTMT7Kdk0zvNpi6jgoMB3Iq0yQL3PewQz3bH6zi2y74JLFtnFwRIVesSk0LhPka__GE_m0snk5P-RrZqbLLNsIi088eg/s1600/kelly_olynyk+floorburns.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kelly Olynyk:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I’m a fan. I think he’s going to turn out for the Celtics
if management can be patient and let him develop some strength and acquire some
veteran savvy in dealing with the bigs of the game. He’s had three twenty-plus
games and 14 double digit games averaging 19 minutes per game. His skills are
undeniable: he can shoot and pass like a guard and rebound like a forward.
Though his rookie rawness is also undeniable, I think he’s going to make it in
this League if he stays healthy.</span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVcSFjCiH_jYzMgO_TcKPwsFBOsPr5YynBD1qCnqCzh6nOLrSNEuIevs_P30xjrdjNTYEEB2AsKViDIr27bZnfGIfu5zpvn29473ayhXs18bvEnM7ZBS5ZjenifoM47ovnzZR08WFwCU/s1600/kris+humph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVcSFjCiH_jYzMgO_TcKPwsFBOsPr5YynBD1qCnqCzh6nOLrSNEuIevs_P30xjrdjNTYEEB2AsKViDIr27bZnfGIfu5zpvn29473ayhXs18bvEnM7ZBS5ZjenifoM47ovnzZR08WFwCU/s1600/kris+humph.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kris Humphries:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> How much has Humph grown on me (and, I suspect the
majority of Greenheadz across the country)? I stopped calling him Mr.
Kardashian three months ago. While I don’t really want to see him as my
starting center as this team enters contender-mode, there is most certainly a
place near the 8</span><sup><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">th</span></sup><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> spot off the bench for a guy who hustles nightly and is
always a threat to get you a double-double in boards and points. Again, while I
hate to see talented players waste their best years playing for lottery-bound
teams, I would be happy seeing Humph riding the upswing in green in a couple of
years.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcx3jLKaKN5tUWjA4xVEj27rd4bdL6GIv7NfD767wkXEWTECWIzjQyo-8wzSruRsH2aenjpt2eHPO9vQwV1azndxSZ04OyZOsGM9XV9_VdTDD7wxVj7gkRrim_U5M_GMB73jnNI1tt3u4/s1600/bayless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcx3jLKaKN5tUWjA4xVEj27rd4bdL6GIv7NfD767wkXEWTECWIzjQyo-8wzSruRsH2aenjpt2eHPO9vQwV1azndxSZ04OyZOsGM9XV9_VdTDD7wxVj7gkRrim_U5M_GMB73jnNI1tt3u4/s1600/bayless.jpg" height="258" width="320" /></a>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jerryd Bayless:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> In the games since he joined the Celtics, he’s scored in
double figures in nearly half, including one 29-point outburst. Is he the
answer at backup point/shooting guard long-term? No. There will be plenty of
more prolific and more talented shooting guards with size coming onto the open
market and in the draft for the Celtics to make any kind of long-term
commitment to Bayless that extends beyond third or fourth guard off the bench.
I’ve always liked Bayless’ fearlessness and ability to score in bunches, but
he’s not as consistent as one would want and there’s a reason he’s changed
teams five times over his career. </span>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
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</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2wX_7DdyhcJkd5L8xhE2Y-fovsmLzTGCeuwaSwO3eRVOXcw4wHOYMHPKiiav9Mznu6hn-L7wu7SqNvb8eV8CraeYQqqtO3TBibdA2Kdbepan2S6-NtyN6nf5jIh8DWpEMX_5VuZkX8k/s1600/vitor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2wX_7DdyhcJkd5L8xhE2Y-fovsmLzTGCeuwaSwO3eRVOXcw4wHOYMHPKiiav9Mznu6hn-L7wu7SqNvb8eV8CraeYQqqtO3TBibdA2Kdbepan2S6-NtyN6nf5jIh8DWpEMX_5VuZkX8k/s1600/vitor.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Vitor Faverani:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I’m really torn here. On the one hand, I really like what
it seems he COULD be. On the other hand, there’s a chance that he doesn’t get a
lot better than the best that we’ve already seen from him. Though he’s a rookie
in the NBA, he’s already 26 years old. He’s shown, on occasion, that he can be
an athletic force on the boards and on fewer occasions, a scorer with
intermittent three point range. You could do worse than to have a legitimate 6’
11” center on your bench, but if there are better options available or a roster
spot you need to use for a better prospect, I’m not gonna get all teary-eyed
watching the Jumbotron tribute once he’s gone.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfg-LFHvg_9vkIXCUUKGNSk7orPFAyW_8hin8sP1nwQOFmv7TEy8kKdbfDRRupNVjuU48VDI7ji8Mfc3uXMn3aHl4dRm4ZOuH7qv4mXAIZ67XDnahcaldAEPJlbDKtSu316D7M1G5tac/s1600/phil-pressey-nike-air-zoom-flight-the-glove-sonic-wave-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfg-LFHvg_9vkIXCUUKGNSk7orPFAyW_8hin8sP1nwQOFmv7TEy8kKdbfDRRupNVjuU48VDI7ji8Mfc3uXMn3aHl4dRm4ZOuH7qv4mXAIZ67XDnahcaldAEPJlbDKtSu316D7M1G5tac/s1600/phil-pressey-nike-air-zoom-flight-the-glove-sonic-wave-02.jpg" height="400" width="280" /></a>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Phil Pressey:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Y’know…I kinda like this kid. I think he really needs to
work on his offense – 28% shooting, 64% free throw shooting just ain’t gonna
cut it in the NBA – but his passing skills are undeniable. He has a knack for
setting people up to receive the ball in some of the most unlikely situations
and if he can improve defensively as well, he might be a quality backup for
years to come.</span><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chris Johnson:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> It really remains to be seen whether Johnson can make
more of his opportunities, as he has the limited one’s he’s been given, and
whether his drive will remain as high once he secures a longer-term deal. He’s
got good size for a shooting guard at 6’ 6”, has a good stroke from three and a
great free-throw percentage, and is a tireless worker. You could do worse than
to have him on your bench as a role player and as an example to the young and
impressionable about how to give the game your all.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8z5luWiqrZkb_kbK4Syh-nrFlhJBbyDf0LR3Mmx3lN7s7VI9Z0oHG6_gjNj9dETQpg2xEQ9wC8PAbqbwglrfvibKW_tEYIAL7CdJRHS44XnZFCiSWfNsmIsKV1EN-uZFEVRcK50zB41s/s1600/chris+johnson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8z5luWiqrZkb_kbK4Syh-nrFlhJBbyDf0LR3Mmx3lN7s7VI9Z0oHG6_gjNj9dETQpg2xEQ9wC8PAbqbwglrfvibKW_tEYIAL7CdJRHS44XnZFCiSWfNsmIsKV1EN-uZFEVRcK50zB41s/s1600/chris+johnson.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
</span><span style="color: black;">As for the rest of the crew, I’ll name check you for old time’s sake – Gerald Wallace, Keith Bogans, Joel Anthony, Chris Babb – thanks for everything you gave the Celtics. I wish you well in your future endeavors. I can’t imagine we’ll be seeing you again for too long next year.<br /><br /> Now, if you’ll all excuse me, I have to get ready for the Playoffs and flip my jersey to black.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-3V_15a57CiM%2FUzhkanfIR1I%2FAAAAAAAAFJw%2FYqej7mt5J-g%2Fs1600%2FPierce%2BBrooklyn%2BBlue.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtQPN-qAyFAdAby3IEDIoi0Dh9ihTBg3ZjOgJ1IHW_KQ1FyPRcqSDRGoQi2wMZH0R7iDzEtRSuJe-F9FiXLpE5yMW7yxZB5k1YtIuNATDgtJqGTm93NaATYDAjcPtlphxPcLu4QJUu0M/s1600/Pierce+Brooklyn+Blue.jpg" -->HeadzGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13800605903499072278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6375592439763665965.post-63242222945304073512014-01-26T10:23:00.002-08:002014-01-26T10:23:47.233-08:00The Return...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVH2B4xmQ75j1D6KihOk2mgabm-AwbbLVT3TKd1PWk9ipVLBJezDKkIAtSoWYa7bl-dGzxw99nc_hzK8yI-MLKUeER0fqAQxY9PfLuCZl2y59sPOhljkk_toxAB9MHsWr3GKnGaIBbI4/s1600/KG+&+PP+together.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVH2B4xmQ75j1D6KihOk2mgabm-AwbbLVT3TKd1PWk9ipVLBJezDKkIAtSoWYa7bl-dGzxw99nc_hzK8yI-MLKUeER0fqAQxY9PfLuCZl2y59sPOhljkk_toxAB9MHsWr3GKnGaIBbI4/s1600/KG+&+PP+together.jpg" height="250" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Okay, people…we all know what today is. No need to beat the
<a href="http://greenheadzblog.blogspot.com/2013/07/hello-crooklyn-new-york-pulls-hall-of.html" target="_blank">long-dead</a> horserug…we know what it is, and it’s huge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s huge, not because two of the greatest Celtics ever to
walk the parquet are coming back home wearing enemy colors for the first time.
It’s huge, not because this will be the "first time" for fans who have been
secretly (and some not so secretly) in a state of mourning since the
announcement of the “blockbuster” that sent our beloved Truth and Big Ticket
down to Yankeeland, erasing all but the final traces of the glory days and
opening the window to the long, cold winter that lay ahead for professional
basketball in these parts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgynDplW7aDx77XLAGvY0Wm0Mac6EffbzFLPgcz5WdFj8OILO0JRqGXyWGS-zE4AkqRtJqwowHwBCmm1DHjgHQu3gRmLBfXwXL7kJMJ7Z947uPyPi-CK3ph1ccMgGoswJYK9nVty1qhrfU/s1600/KG+PP+Champions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgynDplW7aDx77XLAGvY0Wm0Mac6EffbzFLPgcz5WdFj8OILO0JRqGXyWGS-zE4AkqRtJqwowHwBCmm1DHjgHQu3gRmLBfXwXL7kJMJ7Z947uPyPi-CK3ph1ccMgGoswJYK9nVty1qhrfU/s1600/KG+PP+Champions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgynDplW7aDx77XLAGvY0Wm0Mac6EffbzFLPgcz5WdFj8OILO0JRqGXyWGS-zE4AkqRtJqwowHwBCmm1DHjgHQu3gRmLBfXwXL7kJMJ7Z947uPyPi-CK3ph1ccMgGoswJYK9nVty1qhrfU/s1600/KG+PP+Champions.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No, it’s huge because, as they walk through that door, the
glow of the past trails closely behind them and in theirs and our shared
history of greatness, we see the future hope that we will one day rise again,
just as we rose from the departures of Bill Russell and Red Auerbach and Larry
Bird before them. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With ten first-round draft picks (TEN!!) over the next five
years and several talented young players to place around Rajon Rondo (the last
remaining vestige of championship sparkle, not counting members of the front
office), the future is closer than some may imagine and The Return will be even
more glorious than the return of two legends seeking to recreate that
Championship magic with another team.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Welcome back, Paul…Kevin. But, don’t get too comfortable. We’ve
got some plans of our own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOlnr5zmK410TDTJnpzT-4OX4DXKqxi8VUnpK3P6Liq-sMaWwKlX1KcsjfodUrfr6Q0ZybIk9hvSUtlzmQq5WNvi_IzOyId_8rKnpC13wgQNZGJzUHhmtDVnObYeJQ_JDpVnOqzrni74/s1600/three+former+celtics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOlnr5zmK410TDTJnpzT-4OX4DXKqxi8VUnpK3P6Liq-sMaWwKlX1KcsjfodUrfr6Q0ZybIk9hvSUtlzmQq5WNvi_IzOyId_8rKnpC13wgQNZGJzUHhmtDVnObYeJQ_JDpVnOqzrni74/s1600/three+former+celtics.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And, now…here are
some stories from around the interwebs to get you even more amped for today’s
big game:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/10350774/paul-pierce-kevin-garnett-brace-emotional-return-boston" target="_blank"><strong>Pierce, KG brace for Boston return</strong></a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>By ESPN's Chris Forsberg<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2014/01/pierce_garnett_discuss_their_return_to_boston.html" target="_blank"><strong>Pierce, Garnett discuss their return to Boston<o:p></o:p></strong></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>By the Boston Globe's <o:p></o:p>Baxter Holmes<o:p></o:p></em></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Also, check out: </span><a href="http://www.celticslife.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.celticslife.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">,
</span><a href="http://www.celticsblog.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.celticsblog.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, </span><a href="http://www.celticshub.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.celticshub.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, </span><a href="http://www.celticstown.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.celticstown.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, and </span><a href="http://www.redsarmy.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.redsarmy.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> to get your fill.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p>Oh, and one more thing...</o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKAp2zbsQzzHBFESorBzO6_pAiB9INz-c_1TmO4O4dHp2f6-r27jeZswkG9Z4miY0ITcvgJ2tKcnv44JeSk4jVrS6uv7lpZn80MTFIkmlU_24dzbEsQcPiTtW6QaeSSX6PFxRuORr_JE/s1600/Let's+Go+Celtics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKAp2zbsQzzHBFESorBzO6_pAiB9INz-c_1TmO4O4dHp2f6-r27jeZswkG9Z4miY0ITcvgJ2tKcnv44JeSk4jVrS6uv7lpZn80MTFIkmlU_24dzbEsQcPiTtW6QaeSSX6PFxRuORr_JE/s1600/Let's+Go+Celtics.jpg" height="299" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
HeadzGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13800605903499072278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6375592439763665965.post-42387467260886518382014-01-19T13:50:00.000-08:002014-01-19T13:50:07.528-08:00All Hail The New Celtics King<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span id="goog_1085515643"></span><span id="goog_1085515644"></span></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6JdC0cXDj8Tkj0vHSAFfrGhhn7S9x6Y1mknH0BNsVDCf9MEALp8pik-FEaikASm2cnYxGIQXdgoT2b5D1P5Sv15IWtphdlIlTjFmZtOBv7ESEGqVAjg0MqBqFFgHZIqx_7vRCIfGZkU/s1600/The+Celtics+King.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6JdC0cXDj8Tkj0vHSAFfrGhhn7S9x6Y1mknH0BNsVDCf9MEALp8pik-FEaikASm2cnYxGIQXdgoT2b5D1P5Sv15IWtphdlIlTjFmZtOBv7ESEGqVAjg0MqBqFFgHZIqx_7vRCIfGZkU/s1600/The+Celtics+King.jpg" height="276" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Congratulations to the 15th captain in Celtics history. Long may he reign!</span></div>
HeadzGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13800605903499072278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6375592439763665965.post-74175091775952716602013-12-29T11:11:00.000-08:002013-12-30T06:46:25.691-08:00These C's Please, As Bass Plays @$$ Off<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHzYrqQm4k-I1PG5joo8RDckrcgAlzeLfDhVdD25T1VegQnBQ3nMH6oo_zHrePUMZxc8vbnb9XuBT76Y8Hb4DivwJ-QLFoBzhdVgFKHgd44U8mjCmIsqfy31IFZsXw7x65KVdJQTugvg/s1600/bradley_green_rondo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHzYrqQm4k-I1PG5joo8RDckrcgAlzeLfDhVdD25T1VegQnBQ3nMH6oo_zHrePUMZxc8vbnb9XuBT76Y8Hb4DivwJ-QLFoBzhdVgFKHgd44U8mjCmIsqfy31IFZsXw7x65KVdJQTugvg/s400/bradley_green_rondo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> <span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, it certainly has been a while, eh, GreenHeadz?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a month-long hiatus from talking about the team I love
to love, I’m finally back in the saddle (for a little while, anyway…). <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, what is it that’s brought me back this time? What
troubling topic or sensational situation has stirred me out of my long winter’s
nap (other than the overwhelming need to empty some words onto a site that
probably only myself and MAYBE my Mom and Dad will read, that is)?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The answer? “A couple of things.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first would be a loud and obvious skipalong down DUH’sVille
Lane with me exclaiming as many, many others already have this season: “I really
like this team.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowcCgyziY75ZzoCq4qT4NWGOjdxr36XEla1DXo2suEkUn1x7pa8U5Wx5zfDkqBU3qE8zzQBDDFhqo5SGfWwProglpxed6rGySiaHewHt2EEQSJKMfdRhcul9DWgP9fyAUp6XMQsE5zbI/s1600/Bass+Block+vs+Cavs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowcCgyziY75ZzoCq4qT4NWGOjdxr36XEla1DXo2suEkUn1x7pa8U5Wx5zfDkqBU3qE8zzQBDDFhqo5SGfWwProglpxed6rGySiaHewHt2EEQSJKMfdRhcul9DWgP9fyAUp6XMQsE5zbI/s400/Bass+Block+vs+Cavs.jpg" width="285" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But, I wanted to also talk about Brandon Bass for a second.
I know, I know…<a href="http://greenheadzblog.blogspot.com/2013/10/post-position-celtics-newest-pole-cats.html" target="_blank">I’ve already talked about him at length earlier this season</a> in
reference to both he and Jeff Green being the keys to keeping the Celtics from
going completely under while Rondo rehabs his surgically stigmatized knee. Here’s
the thing, though. I didn’t do him nearly the amount of justice he deserved
because plays like the one he made against Dion Waiters in the closing seconds
of the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers are somehow still treated as the
exception and not the rule at this point, which is dead wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bass has been, perhaps, the Celtics' most consistent defender
this year, taking up for the team and filling in the rather sizeable chasm that
was left when defensive heart, soul and all around wizard Kevin Garnett
departed for bleaker times down in Brooklyn. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bass has not only rushed in to plug the breach, contributing
to the Celtics ranking as 5<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> in the league in points allowed, he’s
helped to bring along the young cadre of big men that the Celtics look to as
the future of the team in Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk and Vitor Faverani. He’s
been one of the most consistent of these surprising Celtics thus far, and I
still wonder aloud (to anyone who will listen) why so many people continue to
believe he has to be part of some dump-and-run trade to land a player who may
or may not be as consistent. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqZX29gebhVplqjlbPePJzG1_xhRMs76BGH4uVebQGMybuk-b1sUyhsPMZSWRUcWoRDJyN9wzfiWnQ2MARMsq77it3kWpQKIBL3wJh2NYn49Rv_0_WXtHpggQMZg2aTyAV-LVJp4wt20/s1600/Jared-Sullinger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqZX29gebhVplqjlbPePJzG1_xhRMs76BGH4uVebQGMybuk-b1sUyhsPMZSWRUcWoRDJyN9wzfiWnQ2MARMsq77it3kWpQKIBL3wJh2NYn49Rv_0_WXtHpggQMZg2aTyAV-LVJp4wt20/s1600/Jared-Sullinger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqZX29gebhVplqjlbPePJzG1_xhRMs76BGH4uVebQGMybuk-b1sUyhsPMZSWRUcWoRDJyN9wzfiWnQ2MARMsq77it3kWpQKIBL3wJh2NYn49Rv_0_WXtHpggQMZg2aTyAV-LVJp4wt20/s400/Jared-Sullinger.jpg" width="278" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Don’t get me wrong, I do see how Sullinger is morphing right
in front of us into, as some have somewhat prematurely called him, “the Kevin
Love of the East.” And, I am still among the “Kelly Will Do Swell-ly” fan club
members who united over Olynyk’s summer league success, but I still see a role
for a veteran big man who isn’t afraid to defend the post, can hit </span>the sweet 15-footer, and power to the hole when all else fails. </div>
<br />
My other reason for coming out of mothballs after a month<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> in
the closet (yes, I DO know how that sounded, thank you very much)? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have had a major change of heart with respect to “winning
by losing.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As you may remember (all three of you who have been
faithfully reading this blog), <a href="http://greenheadzblog.blogspot.com/2013/11/celtics-back-to-winning-ways-with.html" target="_blank">I talked about</a> how, while I was 152.08% against
any form of tanking, I was also not sad about the idea that the Celtics would
be bad, very bad, without Rajon Rondo as their sole superstar for a portion of
the season, which would be good, very good, because we had almost as many first
round draft picks as Keith Bogans will have DNP’s for the C’s and the lower the
pick, the more likely they’ll click (or something equally rhymey and exciting).
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYG0c2oBIQH_G2LBJbreXVJdUIE6vrWfHJZoFZHygdYEQ5Mh27jxuFOcFU8qhdqSlja2eQULsaFnSVRQqslPvkq2x_qMP8cPQqwSu3TZkyFmcZzjV2dK1S7YZo30tmF5v8xpTPlTH_1o/s1600/JCrawf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYG0c2oBIQH_G2LBJbreXVJdUIE6vrWfHJZoFZHygdYEQ5Mh27jxuFOcFU8qhdqSlja2eQULsaFnSVRQqslPvkq2x_qMP8cPQqwSu3TZkyFmcZzjV2dK1S7YZo30tmF5v8xpTPlTH_1o/s400/JCrawf.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The only problem? This team genuinely seems to want to win
and, on most nights, just about plays its heart out. I really want to see these
guys continue to develop their chemistry and collective ability to fight their
way out of trouble to grab the win against more talented teams. I want to see
these guys go through adversity together and come out on the other side with an
understanding about what it takes to win in any situation. And, I want to see
this team claw its way into the Playoffs and dare the other teams to tell them
why they don’t belong there yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course, this means that they would play themselves right
out of the Lottery, but you know what? I really don’t mind that. Did I mention
that they had a bunch of first round draft picks?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here’s my thought process on the whole thing:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmfiUz-ye0-yhgPoCphX0o32o5bs9oCgf6J3TMVxW7m4nCazuhVb5MbOfPXjkxaWZmWMCTH2JvIYRhz31hYmPMEVHL0m82zWPoB3mkfDvQZB0rM4sgf2Zfd1_WxTX57IJvNf1YU98TyU/s1600/Rondo+Palm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmfiUz-ye0-yhgPoCphX0o32o5bs9oCgf6J3TMVxW7m4nCazuhVb5MbOfPXjkxaWZmWMCTH2JvIYRhz31hYmPMEVHL0m82zWPoB3mkfDvQZB0rM4sgf2Zfd1_WxTX57IJvNf1YU98TyU/s400/Rondo+Palm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Baby C’s battle through the season, even taking it up a
notch with the inevitable return of Rondo in the second half of the season;
they get to the 8<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> or – gasp! – even 7<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> spot in the East,
take their lumps in the first round against the top seed while gaining valuable
experience; and then Danny “Trader Dan” Ainge wheels and deals a few of the
picks and maybe a Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, Courtney Lee and/or Bogans into
a Lottery selection after all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hell, with the way the season is going for the Nets, and the
fact that they essentially took a large, stinky poop on any chance to contend
in the not-too-distant future by making it rain on the Celtics with their
former draft picks, the Celtics will still have lottery picks in the bank when
they finally hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy overhead in the Garden. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>HeadzGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13800605903499072278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6375592439763665965.post-8236596913781258592013-11-21T05:32:00.001-08:002013-11-21T05:32:28.525-08:00Celtics Back To Winning Ways With Losing Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVYWJK2_csyi5qP8JbHPwRFGpovSLvCaU1ENJbOdWo2YQ5n7r248XN6G4dGo3KUDhPXpTLy5xf_ZijDB-jJmdnt5ZWrl1J67AVBqP5XhQh7eTISOwE-5ITeB1533EULhof6J99i6Xdg8/s1600/Sad+Celtics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVYWJK2_csyi5qP8JbHPwRFGpovSLvCaU1ENJbOdWo2YQ5n7r248XN6G4dGo3KUDhPXpTLy5xf_ZijDB-jJmdnt5ZWrl1J67AVBqP5XhQh7eTISOwE-5ITeB1533EULhof6J99i6Xdg8/s400/Sad+Celtics.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now that’s more like it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Celtics are finally back on track after a spell of
disagreeable basketball. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
I say “back on track” because they’ve now lost five in a
row, and I say “disagreeable basketball” because I don’t agree with that
four-game win streak. I mean, what the Hell are they trying to prove, anyway?
This train’s bound for glory and by glory, I mean the NBA Draft Lottery. </span><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpC00olEV0XWaQnH60OD72l8wFEcIiuzCBBr9B1K2sIF511Zr7qdYIA6IQDFJ-F7-jbVMVMkhcq0oYJdRpLfSCtp8WRyCC6bPywTCLZi6NwhTgW95IdvOdNjCg4HpLPJ0hDTBapOa-zo/s1600/NBA+Draft+Lottery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpC00olEV0XWaQnH60OD72l8wFEcIiuzCBBr9B1K2sIF511Zr7qdYIA6IQDFJ-F7-jbVMVMkhcq0oYJdRpLfSCtp8WRyCC6bPywTCLZi6NwhTgW95IdvOdNjCg4HpLPJ0hDTBapOa-zo/s400/NBA+Draft+Lottery.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Look, I love wins as much as the next guy, but we’re playing
for much more than a handful of W’s. We’re playing for the big picture, and
that doesn’t include making a first-round exit in the Playoffs. Been there,
done that. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, I’m being a little facetious (emphasis on the
“little”). Of course I want our Celtics to be competitive, which I think they
can be on most nights. And, I’d have to be crazy (or a New York fan) to not
want these guys to start developing a winning attitude so that, when the time
comes and the right team is in place, they know how to win the right way. Tanking
is not an option. It has never worked for the Celtics, and history makes the
strong argument that it hasn’t really helped many other teams, either.</span><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></o:p><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQ5QQB_BaAqsxXEco3R5QBDkDr-2xti7S0iGp0jG7a3S6Yf-guUcgOsLz9iUPCC9D_iuh3IYDELcKFTf0HRckYKZGXrvRTewVuUlywI7hzFjlnVTMGX7teDBt059zf5bCqQdB845mreg/s1600/Sad+Sac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQ5QQB_BaAqsxXEco3R5QBDkDr-2xti7S0iGp0jG7a3S6Yf-guUcgOsLz9iUPCC9D_iuh3IYDELcKFTf0HRckYKZGXrvRTewVuUlywI7hzFjlnVTMGX7teDBt059zf5bCqQdB845mreg/s320/Sad+Sac.jpg" width="236" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">That said, the Celtics best chance at near-future contention
is not to please the fairweather fanbase but to draft smartly, trade wisely and
play the style of basketball to match the talents of those wearing the green and
white jerseys. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">For those of you who believe that draft picks won’t get the
C’s back into championship contention, that’s just crazy talk. With a draft
that is believed to be as deep as any in recent memory and the Celtics in possession
of six first round picks in the next five years, there is a significant
opportunity to draft a once in a blue moon superstar to pair with Rajon Rondo,
Jared Sullinger, Jeff Green, Avery Bradley and Kelly Olynyk. Hell, they may
even be able to draft two. And, if Danny Ainge and co. believe that the player
they need is already toiling for the NBA, then he can trade off a combination
of multiple picks and a superfluous player (Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries
and/or Keith Bogans, anyone?) or two (see: “Like 2008 Kevin Garnett and Ray
Allen”).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4M8qo9a_Jro37QRzW1TGT5WxL2Ej25aRl07nCMknRgCgjIwEykNKRpdSXpajmD01uoTJR2FAl3pDxNju6oWs2tM3UuWa7IBZrGBPIHmRSq78hRLhJrAE_0UbsOFkPkTzFYu1ps6hueus/s1600/russell+bird+pierce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4M8qo9a_Jro37QRzW1TGT5WxL2Ej25aRl07nCMknRgCgjIwEykNKRpdSXpajmD01uoTJR2FAl3pDxNju6oWs2tM3UuWa7IBZrGBPIHmRSq78hRLhJrAE_0UbsOFkPkTzFYu1ps6hueus/s400/russell+bird+pierce.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My point is,</span><a href="http://greenheadzblog.blogspot.com/2013/10/its-zero-hour-in-nba-do-you-know-where.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> as I have said before</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, true GreenHeadz should just sit back,
relax and embrace the stress-free simplicity of the 2013-14 Boston Celtics. You’ll
be glad you did in about three years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bring it, Indiana! And, remember...</span><br />
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HeadzGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13800605903499072278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6375592439763665965.post-24080266151720827572013-11-11T08:54:00.002-08:002013-11-11T08:54:49.307-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_JesIsJT14jn8cMSmCuZw3Rjbk_NlRGSj2WHIP6a20p_yvBv5luvfMLTS72KAgZvTYIZ4NvrEnFGc3vO85eu8NBjSaAVRV7eoUqy_XGHvXZzfyA3fuiGRjsZEP_ToR2elh6rrYBHkss/s1600/Conjunction+Dunktion+with+Jeff+Green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_JesIsJT14jn8cMSmCuZw3Rjbk_NlRGSj2WHIP6a20p_yvBv5luvfMLTS72KAgZvTYIZ4NvrEnFGc3vO85eu8NBjSaAVRV7eoUqy_XGHvXZzfyA3fuiGRjsZEP_ToR2elh6rrYBHkss/s400/Conjunction+Dunktion+with+Jeff+Green.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Hookin' Up Dunks & Facials & Throw Downs...<br />...With one of the game's most </strong></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94EqxSBDHdI&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">emphatic dunkers</a></strong></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>.</strong></span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Yes, Indeed, folks...though the season is only six games old, Jumpin' Jeff Green has already taken enough heads to warrant our very first "Conjunction Dunktion...With Jeff Green" post of the 2013-14 season.<br /><br /> So, sit back relax and then prepare to jump back up to your feet again and cheer, as the NBA's most carnivorous dunker plays whack-a-mole with the rest of the League.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Mean Jeff Green Gets Edgy With Reggie In A Preseason </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Game Against The "New-Look" Brooklyn Nets</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Proving That He's An Equal Opportunity Kind Of Guy, Jeff Throws One Down Against The Other Side Of Town vs. The New York Knicks </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Making Those Toronto Dinos Sore, Jeff </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Soars </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">And Scores Against The Raptors</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Making The Ball Disappear Through The Hoop Against </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">The Magic, Jay Gee Went On A Spree In Orlando</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Putting The Exclamation Point On This Week's "Conjunction Dunktion" As Well As Jason Maxiell's Head, J-Max Probably Wishes This Video Would Disappear</span></div>
HeadzGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13800605903499072278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6375592439763665965.post-23525471022065084602013-11-09T21:24:00.001-08:002013-11-09T21:24:24.788-08:00C's Kick Heat In Nuts With Buzzer Beater, Extend Win Streak To 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OzUrBMHbOiyPnCHooN1C0qSbvxdNoQcIeT2zQ4fAMMbneUwTwiMMv9oHEEkyBTcpgjYo17kZJ8Z2YendBLV-aMNa5HmUWsrzzn8yUD6Cg7eJE3JLYq1z1UewoFKnyGJLAxO09HZPMUs/s1600/Green+Hits+Big+Shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OzUrBMHbOiyPnCHooN1C0qSbvxdNoQcIeT2zQ4fAMMbneUwTwiMMv9oHEEkyBTcpgjYo17kZJ8Z2YendBLV-aMNa5HmUWsrzzn8yUD6Cg7eJE3JLYq1z1UewoFKnyGJLAxO09HZPMUs/s400/Green+Hits+Big+Shot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Are you freakin' serious!?!? Did the "rebuilding" Boston Celtics just stick it to the defending champion Miami Heat? With a game winning 3?! In their own building?!?!?!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yFwHP4zz2meHTC4gNZOPVysvO3BDAdUK7AVJftkykpSvhZ1VE4O0zcrybTW8navNzHAp58xooxqifooIGKTfUKgdeNssWmnjewFE4xcyD6EAwatj0vKZ8gOR-at6oi6dVP7Z0g-U9Lc/s1600/The+Shot+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yFwHP4zz2meHTC4gNZOPVysvO3BDAdUK7AVJftkykpSvhZ1VE4O0zcrybTW8navNzHAp58xooxqifooIGKTfUKgdeNssWmnjewFE4xcyD6EAwatj0vKZ8gOR-at6oi6dVP7Z0g-U9Lc/s400/The+Shot+2.jpg" width="400" /></a>Yes!! Yes, sportsfans...this really happened! After continuous (and mostly negative) comparisons to Paul Pierce as in "Jesus, Jeff...you're the new Paul Pierce, for Christ's sake!! You have to start being our go-to guy!!", Mean Jeff Green threw up the middle finger to haters everywhere and sank the game winner right in LeBron's face!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVs_XBBwlNQch-5m8Hd24q4N3lc1Bg2e6gtHO3vnyoCS1nj8W3px8Am-2ljvZSr3wEtNpmg7nZsIjgUJ6KYh_TlOXr26DAPlwg0nPbyKLY_K-H1T1ePld_Y_wOigILtBN3CE8rEJJ8yg/s1600/The+Shot+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVs_XBBwlNQch-5m8Hd24q4N3lc1Bg2e6gtHO3vnyoCS1nj8W3px8Am-2ljvZSr3wEtNpmg7nZsIjgUJ6KYh_TlOXr26DAPlwg0nPbyKLY_K-H1T1ePld_Y_wOigILtBN3CE8rEJJ8yg/s400/The+Shot+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
With the Celtics down two following a classic tank job at the free-throw line by Dwyane Wade who missed two freebies that would have iced the game for the Heat, Jeff Green raised up, up, up over LeBron's outstretched arms and calmly made like M.C. Hammer, not only saying "You Can't Touch This" to South Beach's Number 6, but proving that he was "2 Legit To Quit." Okay, even I know how bad that last sentence was, but what can I say? I'm still delirious from passing out after "The Shot" happened. <br />
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But, as much as I would love to continue talking about that incredible and unexpected win, I wanted to do something a little bit different. Sure, other blogs and sports sites will show you photos like the ones above that display in full glory the afterglow of the win, but I'd like to bring fans the stories behind the story. </div>
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And, what I am about to reveal could change the way we look at the National Basketball Association forever.</div>
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Without further ado...the win in pictures.</div>
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While others looked at the series of photos above and reveled at the sight of Jeff Green floating as his shot found its way across the arena and through the basket, I took a closer look at the photos to reveal the truth (No, not THAT Truth...though Jay Gee certainly seemed to be channeling his inner Captain). </div>
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God favors the Boston Celtics. I know, I know...but read on...if you dare.</div>
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As the shot went up, this Miami-based Celtics fan put in a special request with the man upstairs...</div>
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<img border="0" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0i0HG4nv1hwUDNyNNXTGvjisZLgbUwlolCc-yGtF-bN3I4TUwSti1xwZ10Vj24-WccvgpyFQj3B4NHllDL_gdRdBtXAuRMCFy0CnSTCbg1Q1KBpr8TPC1vAstJlwX2a6o82MGX1xfZQ/s200/Prayers+answered.png" width="200" /></div>
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And, as we all know very well, the Miami Heat represent the Devil...I mean, come on...as if the red uniforms, flame at the tip of the "T" in "Heat" (which, by the way, resembles a pitchfork with missing prongs), and the reference to the more-than-balmy temperatures down under the down under didn't already give it away, you have LeBron, Wade, Bosh AND Battier on the same team? And, Chalmers...don't EVEN get me started with Chalmers!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AhGbD_gruG0a4rDKWDgCZt3W6O2kUJEqKO_wiSjTFOl7N3yu1C-uv5ENaPMRIYonsGIlkn7itvZ4-8E5n0IJjnNfFmt-VyLQGHnVl-nszf8blqEim1Mr0id_ytBACFyFrXgMToxK6FA/s1600/LeBron+intense.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AhGbD_gruG0a4rDKWDgCZt3W6O2kUJEqKO_wiSjTFOl7N3yu1C-uv5ENaPMRIYonsGIlkn7itvZ4-8E5n0IJjnNfFmt-VyLQGHnVl-nszf8blqEim1Mr0id_ytBACFyFrXgMToxK6FA/s400/LeBron+intense.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Anyway, in this battle of good vs. evil, clearly, God won this round. Just look at how the Devil's minions reacted to the sight of pure goodness as it flooded the arena...<br />
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Many of them appeared to feel the light of righteousness entering through their heads.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGXVMhny-sFPLo5-PsaWapn91z_oxWkGJ6DtjV9b2brDGqbpui-nwEaSaK1-f4giLsA3zC7ZWxHGYADmU1wKyzYAk7ogp7yVFsHR6OR4cFpkrMUJcrZN0CqMIlbdvQzNpZLOvgExiCag/s1600/Sad+Heat+Fans+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGXVMhny-sFPLo5-PsaWapn91z_oxWkGJ6DtjV9b2brDGqbpui-nwEaSaK1-f4giLsA3zC7ZWxHGYADmU1wKyzYAk7ogp7yVFsHR6OR4cFpkrMUJcrZN0CqMIlbdvQzNpZLOvgExiCag/s1600/Sad+Heat+Fans+1.png" /></a></div>
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It was apparently too much for this guy, as he began to head for the exit even as the ball soared to its glorious destiny...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipje3XcDGa5Pc119KP7kLQoySiOyAuPg01sPt1ULBagAfm2Om5Ym5Ng-kXI_refootDzKFYt13FNCHe-OEaT2k5HrD8DAmtjs1f3HiFyWSXz6LxMHgiQV0coy0gJUSv1vspzFsuSu7SaE/s1600/Quitter.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipje3XcDGa5Pc119KP7kLQoySiOyAuPg01sPt1ULBagAfm2Om5Ym5Ng-kXI_refootDzKFYt13FNCHe-OEaT2k5HrD8DAmtjs1f3HiFyWSXz6LxMHgiQV0coy0gJUSv1vspzFsuSu7SaE/s200/Quitter.png" width="147" /></a></div>
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Say what you will about Miami fans, though (and there IS plenty to say!) they sure do know their famous paintings. Several of them chose to deal with their pain by emulating a well-known Edvard Munch work of art...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSPME4FEG6H4SO60i8cm9ZDO_oq1MidXzPv39alRPb4ByGSk2Gsu7ORvG6cRdDq1wrjS7PtYH1GNaRPN43yB6nCiEWJardBY6N-WQF1sbhboWYoNXDRmxP9biJbEOz4h8qOb6lGf6wBQ/s1600/The+Scream.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSPME4FEG6H4SO60i8cm9ZDO_oq1MidXzPv39alRPb4ByGSk2Gsu7ORvG6cRdDq1wrjS7PtYH1GNaRPN43yB6nCiEWJardBY6N-WQF1sbhboWYoNXDRmxP9biJbEOz4h8qOb6lGf6wBQ/s200/The+Scream.png" width="166" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Scream 1</strong></em></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Scream 2</strong></em></td></tr>
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Clearly, though...this one really put a hurt on Heat fans right where it counts...<br />
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...and, ultimately, good didst triumph over evil.<br />
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The End.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmEj2jcvNPE9IAThMDd_W4KoAdgLejl9ZOLeaqWerG1tAUzFsipy0sfsqb-rxX1NU6XNddZ_x8t2FaPLh_-9Ux8QhVUesU_JzfnIW55xxyrFuq5B85oFuxxLfmFf_Uef01tqgMCDDF-c/s1600/Green+celebrated.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmEj2jcvNPE9IAThMDd_W4KoAdgLejl9ZOLeaqWerG1tAUzFsipy0sfsqb-rxX1NU6XNddZ_x8t2FaPLh_-9Ux8QhVUesU_JzfnIW55xxyrFuq5B85oFuxxLfmFf_Uef01tqgMCDDF-c/s400/Green+celebrated.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.nba.com/celtics/stats/boxscore_reader.html?gameid=20131109/BOSMIA" target="_blank">Box Score</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.nba.com/video/games/heat/2013/11/10/0021300089-jeff-green-winner.nba" target="_blank">Tale of THE SHOT</a>HeadzGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13800605903499072278noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6375592439763665965.post-32180966473076748472013-11-09T09:31:00.001-08:002013-11-09T09:33:04.744-08:00Celtics Jeopardize Draft Position, Win 2nd Straight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86Dx5WrNPArhb8dxtCPoHx0JRg6dl0BmqqjnDgtXrRwouYCiHyaxVFNwGNDs_kmwgqcpTRCA0FFivygGXeP7NnX2qlTepOUQwzGUEkzjCUthE6TMv6K0OpWWt5dSRyABTgqTkq8mrToQ/s1600/Jeff+Green+hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86Dx5WrNPArhb8dxtCPoHx0JRg6dl0BmqqjnDgtXrRwouYCiHyaxVFNwGNDs_kmwgqcpTRCA0FFivygGXeP7NnX2qlTepOUQwzGUEkzjCUthE6TMv6K0OpWWt5dSRyABTgqTkq8mrToQ/s400/Jeff+Green+hands.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hey, look at that...Jeff Green has as many hands as the Celtics have wins for this young season. What, you thought I was gonna say something crazy like, "Two down, eight to go!"? In your dreams! We're <em>winning</em> this Draft Lottery thing!!</div>
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In all seriousness, though, nice win for the C's tonight against the Orlando Magic and good two-game run. The guys are beginning to mesh a little bit better and it looks like there's more cohesion executing the game plan that Coach Stevens is trying to implement, though it's important to note that A) <a href="http://greenheadzblog.blogspot.com/2013/11/celtics-2013-14-preparing-for-future.html" target="_blank">As I've stated previously</a>, this team can beat any team on any given night when they run and play decent defense and B) it WAS the Jazz and Magic, after all. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmzSTfzmP6gXBZg3jvjxHlujMbougUVSsSfoPhyphenhyphenQV-mPE7nDJCSAvl4DaVn9-UddWxogbIW-z98X-yH4w03gXd6UhL61j3p922-2RmBcn_yXNbmHWEOGNP68FHnhFcJRopC2DFd9uV1E/s1600/Bass+side+jumber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmzSTfzmP6gXBZg3jvjxHlujMbougUVSsSfoPhyphenhyphenQV-mPE7nDJCSAvl4DaVn9-UddWxogbIW-z98X-yH4w03gXd6UhL61j3p922-2RmBcn_yXNbmHWEOGNP68FHnhFcJRopC2DFd9uV1E/s320/Bass+side+jumber.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Speaking of defense, though the C's are currently tied for last place in the Eastern Conference, according to <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/teamstats/_/sort/defensiveEff" target="_blank">John Hollinger's Defensive Efficiency rating chart</a>, the Celtics are 10 in the league. And, while I absolutely abhor writing about rankings of any kind with a mere six games burned off the schedule, I can talk about some of the reasons for the Green's success in the past two games and their general success through the first three quarters of the four losses.<br />
<br />
Brandon Bass has been a BEAST. Channeling his inner KG, he's almost singlehandedly shut down possessions of opposing teams with his energetic, tenacious defense. As has been noted in several blogs by numerous writers, Bass has stepped up to take the role of defensive leader with the kind of relish that can fill a dozen giant hotdogs. I have no idea what that means, but Bass is playing his @$$ off. <br />
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Jeff Green is also starting to pick up his aggression on a more consistent basis on the long road to becoming the Celtics' go-to option. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LfCSF92An4" target="_blank">See what I mean?</a><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/xawb6v3OjtE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBZaNk8nmQnaMuVmspcOKpGCuH56rJAF2Sliz6xfvpM1f77t6ktn2WmAkPx5nJ-uFCVIRgOB-g9XQwUqGHJfo5LM91W3Rtmf1nLHATthmTI9TzU2f133HN0NDM6iXpH1qxNCoy3EXQn8/s1600/Jordan+Crawford+Magic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBZaNk8nmQnaMuVmspcOKpGCuH56rJAF2Sliz6xfvpM1f77t6ktn2WmAkPx5nJ-uFCVIRgOB-g9XQwUqGHJfo5LM91W3Rtmf1nLHATthmTI9TzU2f133HN0NDM6iXpH1qxNCoy3EXQn8/s400/Jordan+Crawford+Magic.jpg" width="265" /></a>Green also had a great baseline jam in this game, and he's been picking his spots with more frequency as the season inches along. The Kelly Olynyk's (who had a very clutch basket), Jared Sullinger's and Jordan Crawford's of the team are starting to gel together with the veterans (Gerald Wallace had some moments off the bench, where he presumably will continue to contribute from) and their tenaciousness and energy are beginning to pay dividends at the end of games.<br />
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Again, <a href="http://greenheadzblog.blogspot.com/2013/10/post-position-celtics-newest-pole-cats.html" target="_blank">as was stated before</a>, Jeff Green and Brandon Bass are going to be key to anything positive the Celtics do this year, which we know isn't much more than moral victories and entertaining basketball. While I understand that one or both of these guys may be moved along the road back to championship contendersville, but it would be nice if both could stick around to be part of Banner 18 in a few years.<br />
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In the meantime, keep enjoying the development of our team chemistry and...<br />
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Celtics vs. Jazz</div>
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<a href="http://www.nba.com/celtics/stats/boxscore_reader.html?gameid=20131106/UTABOS" target="_blank">Box Score</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.nba.com/video/games/celtics/2013/11/06/0021300064-uta-bos-recap.nba" target="_blank">Tale of the Tape</a></div>
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Celtics vs. Magic</div>
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<a href="http://www.nba.com/celtics/stats/boxscore_reader.html?gameid=20131108/BOSORL" target="_blank">Box Score</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.nba.com/celtics/video/2013/11/09/WrapUp110813mp4-3032950" target="_blank">Tale of the Tape</a></div>
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<strong><em>Who Got Next?</em></strong></div>
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<strong>Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat</strong></div>
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<br />
Saturday, November 9, 2013<br />
<div class="nbaGITime">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7:30 PM ET </span></div>
HeadzGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13800605903499072278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6375592439763665965.post-76118362341319870522013-11-06T06:13:00.002-08:002013-11-06T06:13:38.348-08:00Celtics 2013-14: Preparing For The Future, Practicing For The Present<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpRNVC6mYcxaQWTXXujKVTy9x0rW_kW32MDMKl9Y1O6NI8PH83Ew2mBoiYcgU6A8T9zrhsFRNpO2mGiVmNuZkAHuUdSe5BztpkC_r_Ds9Kbgh7vxCb6YVHqnYvc6ZqSbXltIVnssiWmI/s1600/Brad+Stevens+upset1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpRNVC6mYcxaQWTXXujKVTy9x0rW_kW32MDMKl9Y1O6NI8PH83Ew2mBoiYcgU6A8T9zrhsFRNpO2mGiVmNuZkAHuUdSe5BztpkC_r_Ds9Kbgh7vxCb6YVHqnYvc6ZqSbXltIVnssiWmI/s400/Brad+Stevens+upset1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>"It's been a long time...I shouldn't of left you..."<br />-- <em>Rakim, I Know You Got Soul</em></strong></div>
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<strong><em></em></strong> </div>
With THAT said, what more can be said about the Celtics struggles in these larval stages of the 2013-14 NBA season? <br />
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I'm reading/hearing a lot from folks about how upset they are about the losses that are starting to pile up with this team. Now, granted, most of these people are not hardcore fans because, if they were, they'd know that our C's are in the midst of a rebuild and wins really aren't the point this season.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsU71M858NgPGHsPdoQ7cLeWHDyYNFsyu8j83uem7Y675IkuHHQxvwVpdEokLhaKnQIGK3jFqLMtyKbDmcHlvcxC6xGdMxoUlFfuRvtrDjhH4u8fH6grO7rBuvZJGumtvdWEXGii6BiI/s1600/Celtics+huddling+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsU71M858NgPGHsPdoQ7cLeWHDyYNFsyu8j83uem7Y675IkuHHQxvwVpdEokLhaKnQIGK3jFqLMtyKbDmcHlvcxC6xGdMxoUlFfuRvtrDjhH4u8fH6grO7rBuvZJGumtvdWEXGii6BiI/s400/Celtics+huddling+up.jpg" width="400" /></a>Still, for all you Negative Nellies and Debbie Downers out there...as was stated in the previous post, it's all about the development of young players, the polishing of assets and hunkering down for the future where glory awaits. <br />
<span id="goog_65112978"></span><span id="goog_65112979"></span><br />
Watching Jeff Green, Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk, Vitor Faverani, Jordan Crawford, MarShon Brooks and the rest improve and make strides together as a team is actually kind of exciting...just read <a href="http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2013/11/0-4_boston_celtics_should_adop.html" target="_blank">this great article</a> by MassLive's Jay King if you don't believe me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-_cfmUp9n2T8l9j5iufHzPHP7uhUSGuSMRlCS1_0IoGRHMYvNBjBO0v-KWFSeIIbfpL25Uewo3iKUH5LqRB6vgn1wmheRTtoucHA5Q5q4JDl1Xc-DBxHTjZGIp8AIhQLYNAtGp1cdf8/s1600/Bass+Wallace+Olynyk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-_cfmUp9n2T8l9j5iufHzPHP7uhUSGuSMRlCS1_0IoGRHMYvNBjBO0v-KWFSeIIbfpL25Uewo3iKUH5LqRB6vgn1wmheRTtoucHA5Q5q4JDl1Xc-DBxHTjZGIp8AIhQLYNAtGp1cdf8/s400/Bass+Wallace+Olynyk.jpg" width="400" /></a>These guys will learn how to close out games...their hard work will extend over 48 minutes and we'll get our first win of the Brad Stevens Era. In fact, I think we stand a good shot of getting it against Utah.<br />
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In the meantime, let's just sit back and enjoy watching these guys find themselves and before you know it, they'll start putting together a couple of wins. <br />
<br />
Here and there. <br />
<br />
On occasion.<br />
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<strong>Who Got Next?</strong><br />
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<strong><em>Boston Celtics vs. Utah Jazz</em></strong><br />
Wednesday, November 6, 2013<br />
7:30 PM ET<br />
TD Garden, Boston, MA<br />
HeadzGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13800605903499072278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6375592439763665965.post-34668230341450874032013-10-30T05:45:00.003-07:002013-10-30T05:45:37.719-07:00It's Zero Hour In The NBA: Do You Know Where Your Celtics Are?<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFAyGqvxqNDB4WXRUMTxuan6sWCEw3CfJXKmFvBXjGyVyvduZ2Ivxt2gObSym28RbzBogRXbu048oaPz901i1lnkm70m_4dmk6eEPq0TDGDDxAG4LSYBsT9PK0Xl01XNORoPuZdUArdQ/s1600/celtics+spotlight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFAyGqvxqNDB4WXRUMTxuan6sWCEw3CfJXKmFvBXjGyVyvduZ2Ivxt2gObSym28RbzBogRXbu048oaPz901i1lnkm70m_4dmk6eEPq0TDGDDxAG4LSYBsT9PK0Xl01XNORoPuZdUArdQ/s400/celtics+spotlight.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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“…<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv_jkju_iZg" target="_blank"><em>No Matter Where You Go, There You Are</em></a>.”</div>
-- Buckaroo Banzai</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, where exactly is it that our beloved Boston Celtics find themselves as General Manager Danny Ainge ushers in season #1 of “The Causeway Construction Project?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Short recap: Coach Doc Rivers? Gone. Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry? Gone, gone, gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Era of Ubuntu and Championship aspirations? Gone. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anything better than a weak puncher’s chance of even making the Playoffs? Gone. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4f7IWW6yqR4rABM-SU1Ciq9FGe357Zs6-c1KeiXNRAeF0PKsQYgpPMObZxaKz2SQesEX0GcPg21hF_J1YAFUvjtn5JAWDvWMF1cnuX6FN1kcc-4CoBOyguM8hPCexBsxjp59AwQoCCeE/s1600/Rondo+palming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4f7IWW6yqR4rABM-SU1Ciq9FGe357Zs6-c1KeiXNRAeF0PKsQYgpPMObZxaKz2SQesEX0GcPg21hF_J1YAFUvjtn5JAWDvWMF1cnuX6FN1kcc-4CoBOyguM8hPCexBsxjp59AwQoCCeE/s400/Rondo+palming.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">The sole surviving member of the five who famously “never lost a playoff series together?” Gone – at least until December, but I’m hedging on Rajon Rondo returning at or after the All-Star break, if you must know. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After witnessing the tail end of the “New Big Three” era during last year’s Playoff series against the Knicks as the Celtics were dispatched in the first round, prompting their Championship window to slam shut so hard that the glass shattered, Ainge made the unpopular but inevitable and intelligent decision to take a keg to the team and blow things to kingdom come.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitUfLf6dVv6qi0d1Gar48vSgs97YOaqtBRXAv88MMrxfzFWLsQDrx59ZSkrwBuYs4wKB3tSoDVreQjvpHFVI5RkWk3G17VsC2aZMUTp7Am8lkTkocd1taayudNknQBCnoYoJy3xfWy4c/s1600/Danny+Finally+Blows+It+Up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitUfLf6dVv6qi0d1Gar48vSgs97YOaqtBRXAv88MMrxfzFWLsQDrx59ZSkrwBuYs4wKB3tSoDVreQjvpHFVI5RkWk3G17VsC2aZMUTp7Am8lkTkocd1taayudNknQBCnoYoJy3xfWy4c/s400/Danny+Finally+Blows+It+Up.jpg" width="387" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">W</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ith the trade that sent 15-year veteran, All-Star and Celtic original Pierce – along with the iconic Garnett and Terry – down to the Brooklyn Nets, Ainge signaled the beginning of a reconstruction project that will take, at minimum, three years to begin bearing fruit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Returning as the only holdovers from last year are Rondo, Avery Bradley, Jeff Green, Brandon Bass, Jared Sullinger, Courtney Lee, and Jordan Crawford who join draft pick Kelly Olynyk, rookie Phil Pressey, free agent signee center from Brazil Vitor Faverani, and the members of other end of the Brooklyn Nets trade Kris Humphries, Gerald Wallace, Marshon Brooks and Keith Bogans. Not necessarily what you would call a “Championship Driven” lot, right? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The team is now comprised of more </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DZ6_z7k01hSW7AEvL-ksUq-dcwzMjLJ4wk4_aJ4pTXOz7kH0lhwy9GRHGFDZ5ZXpMAtjSDfvClCVxL7jOaDbfpeA8Tc6pLE5ZCsLik6lE1JT6m-pqJA0g22WLJGmi-5uA3-tNlPJzSY/s1600/Celtics+Team+2013-14+Roster+Plus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DZ6_z7k01hSW7AEvL-ksUq-dcwzMjLJ4wk4_aJ4pTXOz7kH0lhwy9GRHGFDZ5ZXpMAtjSDfvClCVxL7jOaDbfpeA8Tc6pLE5ZCsLik6lE1JT6m-pqJA0g22WLJGmi-5uA3-tNlPJzSY/s400/Celtics+Team+2013-14+Roster+Plus.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">youth than age (only two players – Wallace and Bogans – have ten or more years in the League) and new coach Brad Stevens has approximately zero experience in the pro ranks, so any hopes by Greenheadz for a winning season or even an 8th Playoff seed should be of the faintest variety. This is not a team built to win, nor should it be. In possession of six first-round draft picks over the next five years, the goal of Danny and Co. should be to assess current talent for cultivating in either a new Championship core or trade value, develop a winning culture (even though actual winning may prove to be elusive at first), and make savvy moves that improve the team and add to that “Championship core.” </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgw3pGAKzId7A4LCxWS4KSs2GxCzdlFGqLpgJsedQEqZE-ScaqTRoOWMsnsEIG5bhuYYQmKuMdEkIkTqnFeGKqD5Bn3JDgdZErfEhE8FwEoHCxLWoG2bTSaqt-A-5oPBTh2qMB3aHVZo/s1600/Vitor+Faverani.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgw3pGAKzId7A4LCxWS4KSs2GxCzdlFGqLpgJsedQEqZE-ScaqTRoOWMsnsEIG5bhuYYQmKuMdEkIkTqnFeGKqD5Bn3JDgdZErfEhE8FwEoHCxLWoG2bTSaqt-A-5oPBTh2qMB3aHVZo/s400/Vitor+Faverani.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, to answer the opening question, “where do the Celtics find themselves?” Talent-wise, this team will actually be able to compete with anyone on a strictly night-to-night basis. What it won’t be able to do is sustain any kind of consistency to speak of from night-to-night and certainly not enough make, let alone win, the Playoffs. Record–wise? I always shy away from this kind of prediction, mainly because there is no way to project things like the return of Rondo and other injuries to key players. But, if I were a gambling man, I’d place their wins in the high 20’s. Kind of an upper-middle of the bottom tier of the NBA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hesitate to use the label “mediocre” because for me, it implies a sustained level of lackluster play over more than one season. No, the Celtics will be a scrappy, never-say-die running basketball team that can take the New York's, Houston's, Golden State's and even (on occasion) the Oklahoma Cities and Miami's by surprise for a game. </span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Vp1JaUTLocmWccwv2PRqgrw692y-XmTa2ZZWAXR0o3fHyoVhZZecjVN5_MZ23BxHBYcl-CbdhguL-QFyw5_0JAml5HW88nCIbP-AkTzbdqcCxdsAC6OYrqunPJFIszvynLpDD3F-R6E/s1600/Celtics+KO+Crash+Crawf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Vp1JaUTLocmWccwv2PRqgrw692y-XmTa2ZZWAXR0o3fHyoVhZZecjVN5_MZ23BxHBYcl-CbdhguL-QFyw5_0JAml5HW88nCIbP-AkTzbdqcCxdsAC6OYrqunPJFIszvynLpDD3F-R6E/s400/Celtics+KO+Crash+Crawf.jpg" unselectable="on" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">What should we look for in this team? Commitment, measurable improvement and the building of bonds that are forged in the leaner times between players with character. For me, watching the development of Kelly “The K.O. Kid” Olynyk, Brooks, Pressey, Faverani and even Sullinger and Green, as well as the steady return to form of a healthy Rondo should provide me with enough entertainment to deal with the losses. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wallace and Humphries have proven to be proud competitors as well as veteran leaders alongside Bogans, so any reports about tanking should be met with a portion of skepticism. Unless, of course, any two or all of these players happen to be shipped out of town by the trade deadline in February. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUQTYkFV85wusjMmFSgSNgVMFDYWH6BFFSCtwPhxCXiLy600LDbVdFO7m5EW-RF7njaRciu1PNBC3GlJnQzjMTxvUTNiiKBp7rqENdjt4yeERh3wflZoGxHZ_-z1bqtwfAhZ4OElKOpI/s1600/Pressey+Drive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUQTYkFV85wusjMmFSgSNgVMFDYWH6BFFSCtwPhxCXiLy600LDbVdFO7m5EW-RF7njaRciu1PNBC3GlJnQzjMTxvUTNiiKBp7rqENdjt4yeERh3wflZoGxHZ_-z1bqtwfAhZ4OElKOpI/s400/Pressey+Drive.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A suggestion that I would like to make to Greenheadz everywhere, if I might be so bold and yet humble: Just sit back and watch this young team without any expectations or frustration. Enjoy every learning moment for the players as much as you will their inevitable moments of success – however fleeting. You are now on the ground floor of a project that will ultimately lead to our #18th and maybe even #19th and #20th banner.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">While the road may be bumpy and fraught with wrong turns and steep curves, when they finally arrive at their planned destination, you’ll be thrilled that you decided to come along for the ride. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Game #1…Hoo Rahhh! </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4748j-7EOceEK-3cWo2YWx0aky1OmGJoVM_MexpzTzpS3fVJ7PLR-ry66XbrUvHWaHEDbbSZHRbBAwLF0S1wV30EmShz4Z9ojDa4LTyKnHWEBnWP5pH67Mnz7RhtySbUvCJ2UJIeZLA/s1600/Lets+go+celtics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4748j-7EOceEK-3cWo2YWx0aky1OmGJoVM_MexpzTzpS3fVJ7PLR-ry66XbrUvHWaHEDbbSZHRbBAwLF0S1wV30EmShz4Z9ojDa4LTyKnHWEBnWP5pH67Mnz7RhtySbUvCJ2UJIeZLA/s400/Lets+go+celtics.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
HeadzGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13800605903499072278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6375592439763665965.post-23479786895273686442013-10-20T10:00:00.000-07:002013-10-20T17:13:22.849-07:00Preseason Games 5 & 6: Keeping Enemies Close, Wins...A Little More Distant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUHHVs4ywBQGdk8wZVRUgCcvwhsSLiOWVqo9rJ_eQ4TJSNEWWreqPBxCT6i7uKidljvYBvmZaTWOztqnMxT9n7qE1_C4GAKMRI3bbn8BUl1NAMTdCY4QfrHKnznHRsB7GdpBCSrfYz48/s1600/Pierce+a+Net.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUHHVs4ywBQGdk8wZVRUgCcvwhsSLiOWVqo9rJ_eQ4TJSNEWWreqPBxCT6i7uKidljvYBvmZaTWOztqnMxT9n7qE1_C4GAKMRI3bbn8BUl1NAMTdCY4QfrHKnznHRsB7GdpBCSrfYz48/s1600/Pierce+a+Net.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUHHVs4ywBQGdk8wZVRUgCcvwhsSLiOWVqo9rJ_eQ4TJSNEWWreqPBxCT6i7uKidljvYBvmZaTWOztqnMxT9n7qE1_C4GAKMRI3bbn8BUl1NAMTdCY4QfrHKnznHRsB7GdpBCSrfYz48/s400/Pierce+a+Net.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
See? That wasn't so bad! Going down to Brooklyn to face the Nets and our old teammates (well, teammate, anyway...Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry had the night off.) played out like any other game. Sure, there was good old #34, the Truth himself, giving the game what it needs for the opposition, but it was like he'd been wearing his New York whites all along. Even seeing him greet his old teammates Avery Bradley, Jeff Green, Brandon Bass and the others didn't make a...didn't make a...hold on....eyes tearing up...<br />
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Damn allergies!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Seriously, it was VERY strange watching the Captain come back and throw up one of his preseason special "getting the team involved" games against the MIG's (Men In Green), but nothing, I'm certain, compared to what it's going to be like when the other ex-patriots...er, ex-Celticots Garnett and Terry make their appearance at the Garden on January 26th.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As for the actual game, the C's were able to keep the game close and even had the chance to tie at the buzzer, though Courtney Lee missed a difficult acrobatic shot to let Brooklyn off the hook. Lee had a good game and showed flashes of regaining his offense as the C's high scorer. Kris Humphries showed up against his former team as well, and Jeff Green continued to right the ship from a slow start to the preseason. </div>
<br />
What more can be said about this game that won't result in more <strike>tears</strike> allergies?<br />
<br />
Actually, I'll let the truth be spoken by The Truth...<br />
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<br />
Brooklyn Nets<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nba.com/celtics/stats/boxscore_reader.html?gameid=20131015/BOSBKN" target="_blank">Box Score</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nba.com/video/games/nets/2013/10/15/0011300056-bos-bkn-recap.nba" target="_blank">Tale of the Tape</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7AiWkYxmuc4dN390t9zxv4H5cHbozbYAJvagEVv_82Hj-sf5bFYpBisV1uzfJx1v5rEW4pOMplkdIyNnpomCpiHvXqkribfylGIUwD5oWyU2rV4c1KWfzD7LDvXeM2SRcTlH1SPWFaM/s1600/KO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7AiWkYxmuc4dN390t9zxv4H5cHbozbYAJvagEVv_82Hj-sf5bFYpBisV1uzfJx1v5rEW4pOMplkdIyNnpomCpiHvXqkribfylGIUwD5oWyU2rV4c1KWfzD7LDvXeM2SRcTlH1SPWFaM/s400/KO.jpg" width="266" /></a>The Toronto game was another close one with the chance to win it at the end that didn't quite take. MarShon Brooks played well for the C's and looked more like the potential keeper many believed he could be with more experience and coaching. Green stayed on track and Kelly Olynyk, Vitor Faverani continue to make me excited about watching this team play together this season. <br />
<br />
Toronto Raptors<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nba.com/celtics/stats/boxscore_reader.html?gameid=20131016/BOSTOR" target="_blank">Box Score</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nba.com/video/games/raptors/2013/10/16/0011300058-bos-tor-recap.nba" target="_blank">Tale of the Tape</a><br />
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<strong>Who Got Next?</strong><br />
<br />
Boston Celtics vs. Minnesota Timberwolves<br />
Sunday, October 20, 2013<br />
<div class="nbaGITime">
6:00 PM</div>
HeadzGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13800605903499072278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6375592439763665965.post-5310515410174239512013-10-13T17:47:00.002-07:002013-10-13T20:39:19.859-07:00Preseason Games 3 & 4: The Good, The Bad And The Gino<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkirLDW_aZohnV5fTADCshkyrozI7fDHBQ3BKpcYDyg-YTI-Sm_j8BYFeNm6VloYRG5Q2BLwEoMyrF9KLA4AUcmra7kC4sYHaZeZMTZSfgI9oc4lrnuX6Efv0vjZKhtxBiDP-PP4p9Lxk/s1600/On+Hiatus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkirLDW_aZohnV5fTADCshkyrozI7fDHBQ3BKpcYDyg-YTI-Sm_j8BYFeNm6VloYRG5Q2BLwEoMyrF9KLA4AUcmra7kC4sYHaZeZMTZSfgI9oc4lrnuX6Efv0vjZKhtxBiDP-PP4p9Lxk/s400/On+Hiatus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Watching last night's game against the New York Knicks, there were just two things missing that prevented me from total enjoyment: Gino being called out of mothballs to dance on the Jumbotron and the childlike jubilation with which one former Celtic used to watch him do it. <br />
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Actually, there was one other thing missing...any remotely linked semblance to relevancy that this win has on the upcoming season.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0yGAAzTYQNq20Wo5egj3E1q_BW1zB-BvKjupg209wjjZqxMI2NnZ_mmlSpZBQgad_1-K4vtyV2onjF2wcWRlric2-3eqCiYOJg6tqqCbW8cSOLKxtxWHsX7FutC4bvHYhGNtodkLMgg/s1600/Jordan+Crawford+dribbles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0yGAAzTYQNq20Wo5egj3E1q_BW1zB-BvKjupg209wjjZqxMI2NnZ_mmlSpZBQgad_1-K4vtyV2onjF2wcWRlric2-3eqCiYOJg6tqqCbW8cSOLKxtxWHsX7FutC4bvHYhGNtodkLMgg/s400/Jordan+Crawford+dribbles.jpg" width="267" /></a>Now, don't get me wrong...I am the greenest of GreenHeadz that you'll ever find and I've been told that, as far as my belief in and support for the Celtics goes, my balloon never lands. But, when the Knicks go-to high scorer is Ike Diogu -- a man not yet guaranteed to be on the roster come November -- and the only efforts in this game given by the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Ray Felton, Tyson Chandler, Ron Artest and Kenyon Martin were as high-priced cheerleaders, you know that your 30-point win is going to have to come with a major asterisk.<br />
<br />
Still, there were encouraging things to be seen, like watching The KO Kid, Kelly Olynyk, hang a well-rounded game on the New Yorkers and seeing MarShon Brooks come alive. Jordan Crawford continues to play under control, Avery Bradley is making his shots consistently and Jared Sullinger's back looks to be in great shape. <br />
<br />
On the downside, Courtney Lee is still turning over milk cartons trying to find his jumper and Jeff Green has yet to find the magic can of spinach that he was eating from towards the end of last season and into the Playoffs, but, hey...it's the preseason and most realists out there know that the real reason to watch the games this year is to see the newbies develop and admire the team's scrappy play, even in under the threat of a looming Lottery. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEks6j_tHIQhmWpmvztSnPX3SOYLx9Y_lj5DfE4Mv_3Ral0Gv8I2jzz0mXEjYekhQlUwdR4RQd2rQiSdXv7bbR4S2UAQD49mQwGWrYWSPY4KEmN3kHCjqxRqGi1bqdBQrPHiRfbvOfInI/s1600/MarShon+steals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEks6j_tHIQhmWpmvztSnPX3SOYLx9Y_lj5DfE4Mv_3Ral0Gv8I2jzz0mXEjYekhQlUwdR4RQd2rQiSdXv7bbR4S2UAQD49mQwGWrYWSPY4KEmN3kHCjqxRqGi1bqdBQrPHiRfbvOfInI/s400/MarShon+steals.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Of course, this team -- especially when Rajon Rondo returns (December? February?) -- is going to be competitive on most nights and may even surprise a few top-tier teams from game to game. But, I can't help but think that the game that was played the night before against the Philadelphia 76ers is more in line with what we're going to see as the season begins in earnest -- a close game in the middle stages between the 2nd and 3rd quarters with the requisite furious comeback, only to fall in the 4th as the better team locks in and drives it home.<br />
<br />
Still...looking at some of the young talent that's been scratching and clawing for the Green and White, it won't be too long before Gino regains full employment and anything becomes possible again.<br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Preseason Game 3</strong><br />
Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers<br />
<a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20131011/BOSPHI/gameinfo.html" target="_blank">Box Score</a><br />
<a href="http://www.nba.com/video/games/sixers/2013/10/11/0011300033-bos-phi-recap.nba" target="_blank">Tale of the Tape</a><br />
<br />
<strong>Preseason Game 4</strong><br />
Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks<br />
<a href="http://www.nba.com/celtics/stats/boxscore_reader.html?gameid=20131012/NYKBOS" target="_blank">Box Score</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.nba.com/video/games/celtics/2013/10/12/20131012-nyk-bos-recap.nba" target="_blank">Tale of the Tape</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinYqG6fraUopwHXRUGL4QetGXB8MxPVoLgLKZQALu0scmkVQ3PzYNPlwJbwM5gJsW5NTG8YWxKo5by_gsBf5fy1VOhelITpHrGPkKl1BuGTGldh9iSUN3A_1PRxzW9Ng1Yk48g_PP5KU/s1600/nets-vs-celtics_event-thumb_noBranding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinYqG6fraUopwHXRUGL4QetGXB8MxPVoLgLKZQALu0scmkVQ3PzYNPlwJbwM5gJsW5NTG8YWxKo5by_gsBf5fy1VOhelITpHrGPkKl1BuGTGldh9iSUN3A_1PRxzW9Ng1Yk48g_PP5KU/s320/nets-vs-celtics_event-thumb_noBranding.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<strong>Who Got Next?</strong><br />
Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets <br />
(Yeah, THAT team)<br />
Tuesday, October 15th, 2013<br />
7:30 PMHeadzGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13800605903499072278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6375592439763665965.post-51664992708677670442013-10-10T06:15:00.001-07:002013-10-10T06:15:31.349-07:00Preseason Game 2: Other People's Posts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmRvDRmRyl75OylNbVIsHZJmDP65rhAWGan2IJDP2Fz7D75xbZ0Evqjats9lK4swBPvtbK32qDxLQ1G6RKuOZqyyLMlcIArw4Js9-PGClAx16cKFEtt5Ypt9HvlscXQGHzI8ZCheZMAE/s1600/Down+with+opp.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmRvDRmRyl75OylNbVIsHZJmDP65rhAWGan2IJDP2Fz7D75xbZ0Evqjats9lK4swBPvtbK32qDxLQ1G6RKuOZqyyLMlcIArw4Js9-PGClAx16cKFEtt5Ypt9HvlscXQGHzI8ZCheZMAE/s400/Down+with+opp.png" width="395" /></a></div>
Okay...I'm just gonna go ahead and admit it...I didn't see a lick of last night's game. I did, however, see some fantastic clips and read some excellent recaps. So, I just have this one question for you...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/6xGuGSDsDrM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
And, by O.P.P., I mean "Other People's Posts. Being out with friends and family, I felt a little old school nostalgia kicking in as I decided how the Hell I was going to try and comment on a game that I obviously didn't see. You say "lazy man's way to keep his blog updated," I say "excellent opportunity to bring good, quality content to the site while giving props (okay, maybe I've gone a little TOO old school...) to others who drop their own valid takes on their hometown club for GreenHeadz to enjoy everywhere.<br />
<br />
So, without further ado...I do:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://redsarmy.com/2013/10/09/recap-a-guy-you-never-heard-of-leads-furious-comeback-that-falls-just-short/" target="_blank">RedsArmy.com</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://celticshub.com/2013/10/09/boston-celtics-mount-comeback-but-fall-to-new-york-knicks-103-102/" target="_blank">CelticsHub.com</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.celticsblog.com/2013/10/9/4821966/boston-celtics-amazing-comeback-make-progress-some-lose-defeat-to-new-york-knicks-preseason" target="_blank">CelticsBlog.com</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.celticslife.com/2013/10/boston-celtics-102-new-york-knicks-103.html?m=1" target="_blank">CelticsLife.com</a><br /><br /><br />And, from the estimable <a href="http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=bostonceltics&id=4707255&city=boston" target="_blank">Chris Forsberg at ESPN</a>.com<br />
<br />
See, now wasn't that fun? <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nba.com/celtics/stats/boxscore_reader.html?gameid=20131009/NYKBOS" target="_blank">Box Score</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nba.com/video/games/celtics/2013/10/09/0011300026-nyk-bos-recap.nba" target="_blank">Tale of the Tape</a><br />
<br />
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<strong>Who Got Next?</strong><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaacf4MQG9hwlQoRVlXgU0M-CydX8csaccv6ElE7WtWwiEe0aFEUPrU06q-kaJtCUoi9pfOjZsWlAvAH3aBYJ2PE8e9xjw59kp7xDoXePkwqgBBbEqZk7817BOvacvXJwJfYuGIxV76Ts/s1600/C's+vs+76ers.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaacf4MQG9hwlQoRVlXgU0M-CydX8csaccv6ElE7WtWwiEe0aFEUPrU06q-kaJtCUoi9pfOjZsWlAvAH3aBYJ2PE8e9xjw59kp7xDoXePkwqgBBbEqZk7817BOvacvXJwJfYuGIxV76Ts/s320/C's+vs+76ers.png" width="320" /></a><br />
Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers<br />
<div class="gameDate">
Fri, Oct. 11, 2013</div>
<div class="gameTime">
7:00 PM</div>
HeadzGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13800605903499072278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6375592439763665965.post-42310454617286049022013-10-08T19:46:00.001-07:002013-10-08T19:47:10.183-07:00Celtics Preseason Game 1: So, What Did We Learn?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKKnn4eZl2tj4K40tfxWCu318lqsRKNVdDUPRbrFe1aZd7LxyzF7TY2WD-pm1w3cmwpbdyLD-2TGd437u-dZ820Dwth5xffe8WTStiT1lbat6AgVg30hOER6Wro6lFYqTDKWsDOhwwPw/s1600/rondo-teaching-math.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKKnn4eZl2tj4K40tfxWCu318lqsRKNVdDUPRbrFe1aZd7LxyzF7TY2WD-pm1w3cmwpbdyLD-2TGd437u-dZ820Dwth5xffe8WTStiT1lbat6AgVg30hOER6Wro6lFYqTDKWsDOhwwPw/s400/rondo-teaching-math.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Well, folks...the first preseason game for the Boston Celtics post-New Big Three is in the books. So...what did we learn?<br />
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<br /></div>
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From my perspective, we now know a few little things about a lot of things we don't yet know. Got it? Good!</div>
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</div>
In no particular order of impression, here are the things that stood out:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcBHkdMXL-UIOhtg05xKI4yY0EuYC-aCRqx8IOOfyHM_-rO0MRbw-8qhFmp17FfsTmUxUPX3XHvSdu0jWs7wj788SBvmBridWSfIxQOX7hKi2095XO1cKRU2QmwjbhFQ6Z4AdyFMaCdw/s1600/Brad+Stevens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcBHkdMXL-UIOhtg05xKI4yY0EuYC-aCRqx8IOOfyHM_-rO0MRbw-8qhFmp17FfsTmUxUPX3XHvSdu0jWs7wj788SBvmBridWSfIxQOX7hKi2095XO1cKRU2QmwjbhFQ6Z4AdyFMaCdw/s400/Brad+Stevens.jpg" width="266" /></a>* Brad Stevens is a patient guy. Not just with the team, which clearly has some deficiencies, but also with the sports media. To the numbskull who tried to explain to Stevens that the NBA isn't college basketball...congratulations. You're now the town moron.<br />
<br />
* This Kelly Olynyk guy can play a little. Okay, I actually knew that already from having watched him work in Summer League. But, it was great to see that he was still comfortable doing his thing against real NBA-caliber defense in a fairly competitive game. His passing skills really can't be overstated. He's going to be very valuable in the future.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCD-xyRBPJda-HCY9X-nW6LBWlADi2N46avh885WcYcopX6vIW55k9PRZm0MLHNfkdkZ3gK-fmh8vIsm-eCKTXLCdDDsoESF7HOBbQSMwv-Vog1RAXJE9nKEU4Db7BhsXW9dUyjv7kbw/s1600/Crash+Wallace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCD-xyRBPJda-HCY9X-nW6LBWlADi2N46avh885WcYcopX6vIW55k9PRZm0MLHNfkdkZ3gK-fmh8vIsm-eCKTXLCdDDsoESF7HOBbQSMwv-Vog1RAXJE9nKEU4Db7BhsXW9dUyjv7kbw/s400/Crash+Wallace.jpg" width="266" /></a>* Crash still has some things he wants to break. Gerald Wallace, The Invisible Man in Boston since his trade (you know...the one that sent future Hall-of-Famers Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett out of town with The Jet?), "Crash" showed exactly how he earned his nickname by scrapping, clawing and diving to team high scorer. This guy can definitely be an asset to the younger set as a veteran worthy of emulation. Here's hoping he stays around for a while.</div>
<br />
* Sully still loves to get sullied, and by sullied, I mean he does the dirty work and bodies, bangs, tugs and gets his shot off over taller players much the same as he was doing before back surgery took him out for the remainder of his rookie season. I'm still not happy with his recently revealed character flaws, but if he keeps playing like this -- and more importantly, keeps his nose clean -- he's going to provide the C's with a low-post presence they'll need to even think about being competitive this year.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76uqYJiS1mt04kx8an2MKPd55ECkOkOYI9BvLcxPJB7DRkYtQwFn4a4AlkU5y2xDSRRq5Fg2gjH7uNQFyvWCsxmiXo978tVNS3BBmWRH1Ld4Kci3I1hSF0ChoShaqKEw6kNgwBF64JVY/s1600/Kris+Humphries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76uqYJiS1mt04kx8an2MKPd55ECkOkOYI9BvLcxPJB7DRkYtQwFn4a4AlkU5y2xDSRRq5Fg2gjH7uNQFyvWCsxmiXo978tVNS3BBmWRH1Ld4Kci3I1hSF0ChoShaqKEw6kNgwBF64JVY/s400/Kris+Humphries.jpg" width="400" /></a>* Kris Humphries can be a crowd favorite? Those words would never have crossed my mind before watching him in action on the floor last night, but the way he boxed out and boarded while putting up a few jumpers and scrappy putbacks has me thinking that it won't be long before fans are defending him when some tiny guard from another team decides to shove him for God knows what.<br />
<br />
* Jeff Green was a complete gentleman. And by gentleman, I mean he was not the @$$hole that mentor Garnett and AWOL coach Doc Rivers encouraged him to be. For the Celtics to stay out of the bottom of the East, he's going to have to be less Uncle Jeff and more Mean Jeff Green.<br />
<br />
* Courtney Lee still hasn't found it. Let's just hope that it's still sitting at the bottom of one of the moving crates marked "Houston to Boston" so he can unpack that bad boy and become the two-way threat many (including myself) thought he could be.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0RnfuhEOD8O9YRzeJJo56Y-it9_uDaRv3w6tuzi_2U0Us7Go-t7dQK7IwcSkvoBzhE2sdT_kcEBhJiiOBYFoSWmwGjSClsy4-gQ8I6WLvpQaHkJHKWpH05tOO1Gkaj0lquxxzTtaSzo/s1600/Jordan+Crawford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0RnfuhEOD8O9YRzeJJo56Y-it9_uDaRv3w6tuzi_2U0Us7Go-t7dQK7IwcSkvoBzhE2sdT_kcEBhJiiOBYFoSWmwGjSClsy4-gQ8I6WLvpQaHkJHKWpH05tOO1Gkaj0lquxxzTtaSzo/s400/Jordan+Crawford.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
* Jordan Crawford played (gasp!!) under control!?! While I still think he's more Guards Gone Wild than Steady Eddie, I would LOVE for this version of the CrawDaddy to run the floor here in Boston.<br />
<br />
* Filling the role of "veteran stabilizer" will be what Keith Bogans does while here in green.<br />
<br />
* Brandon Bass is still Brandon Bass. And that's a good thing.<br />
<br />
* We might just have a real center on the roster in Vitor "El Hombre Indestructible" Faverani. His body language certainly says "center" and he changed a couple of shots on defense while showing good hands on the fast break.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lDfiviOQE3bZDfkKyVMdvnHxmdrMITLLcZu87QT-P3uS58tkIac_Z_9joxBzbJ2Y-3-3Kl_sDakWN6WF9Ndu-WwlufPe3fpkfsi2tOclgurIB_zPsGoZmZfnzp2Pm5SJQqvdxCW6h-U/s1600/Avery+Point.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lDfiviOQE3bZDfkKyVMdvnHxmdrMITLLcZu87QT-P3uS58tkIac_Z_9joxBzbJ2Y-3-3Kl_sDakWN6WF9Ndu-WwlufPe3fpkfsi2tOclgurIB_zPsGoZmZfnzp2Pm5SJQqvdxCW6h-U/s400/Avery+Point.jpg" width="400" /></a>* The jury's still out on whether Avery Bradley can man the point until Rajon Rondo returns, but his three-point shooting looked to be back in order and his defense and slashing skills were on full display. Ultimately, he's just not going to be the answer at point, but he'll continue to be one of the best on the ball defenders in the game.<br />
<br />
* And, speaking of points...we didn't get to see Phil Pressey try his hand at the position (though Stevens has said that he'll be out there vs. New York on Wednesday) and Mar'Shon Brooks wasn't on the floor long enough to see much of anything, but I expect some good nights from him in the near future.<br />
<br />
On To Wednesday!! I'm Yelling Again!! <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.nba.com/celtics/stats/boxscore_reader.html?gameid=20131007/TORBOS" target="_blank">Box Score</a><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.nba.com/video/games/celtics/2013/10/07/0011300011-tor-bos-recap.nba" target="_blank">Tale Of The Tape</a><br />
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<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAwwOceVVctbY32ipCFdC3AF5O2w2Hap4eQEfVCAI_BIVLQru8sycgJU7scQYF3DFCPRuEBieaqadH4sTIv15EI3umMIBPtwwc4f2msfPwy-aNBwNborO0XeQLGqtfJJkcE98_nySy_s/s1600/Celtics+vs+Knicks.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAwwOceVVctbY32ipCFdC3AF5O2w2Hap4eQEfVCAI_BIVLQru8sycgJU7scQYF3DFCPRuEBieaqadH4sTIv15EI3umMIBPtwwc4f2msfPwy-aNBwNborO0XeQLGqtfJJkcE98_nySy_s/s320/Celtics+vs+Knicks.png" width="320" /></a>Who Got Next?:<br />
<br />
New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics<br />
Wednesday, October 9th, 2013<br />
7:30 PM </div>
HeadzGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13800605903499072278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6375592439763665965.post-76595957421211362942013-10-07T17:46:00.001-07:002013-10-07T19:37:00.013-07:00Celtics Begin "Little One" Era As Preseason Kicks Off<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstRsGXIN9FWQW4eUrKheO6yP01ExYBoDsCHMgujkkHrj_tPTwzZVzRT3mnF8EQgtnSXw_TmaZrv-zt-DUHqCxbc9ccrSW9vIs7VpbS7XAPHrKp4ADvX_yNj65doollOacYmIJQ8e54WQ/s400/Celtics+Roster.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That’s right, folks…the Boyz in green are back in town and ready to get down – preseason style, of course! While many (most?) of Boston’s sports-loving faithful are busy simultaneously watching the Red Sox mount their assault on the postseason and march toward another inevitable World Series showdown, lamenting the Patriots loss to the Cincinatti <strike>Tigers</strike> Bengals or are cheering the boys in black and gold as the Bruins start the season trying to recapture their winning form from last year’s disappointing trip to the Stanley Cup Finals, the Celtics have been busy preparing to start their first season in fifteen years without The Truth to set them free. </span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjot7YFOWkQnN4P0cahTQOCryAVDdi_n3estvGWIy89jdDUDeQuIy9Hw5W-c73pcp7buwVKCr735-SlY3X3lDLZJsii98N4dJ97PR7Xf97svRmz02rHazUKACuTNV_b7mI6ItPRV4eBbRk/s1600/Antoine-Walker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjot7YFOWkQnN4P0cahTQOCryAVDdi_n3estvGWIy89jdDUDeQuIy9Hw5W-c73pcp7buwVKCr735-SlY3X3lDLZJsii98N4dJ97PR7Xf97svRmz02rHazUKACuTNV_b7mI6ItPRV4eBbRk/s400/Antoine-Walker.jpg" width="273" /></span></a></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Recap: Pierce, KG and Doc are gone. Deal with it. </span></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, as we all dust off our old Antoine Walker jerseys and pretend we were Jeff Green fans from the git, here are just a few of the questions floating around the ether that we’ll begin to gain some resolution on. </span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, in a tip of the cap to the chaos that will inevitably reign for at least the first couple of months of the C’s 2013-14 season, I replace that time-honored tradition that time-honored traditionalists like to post before their favorite teams head into battle – “What To Watch For” – with the more appropriate “What’s NOT To Watch For?!?” </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As the Celtics start the preseason tonight at 7:30 PM against the much improved (but, really, who’s NOT improved this year besides the Celtics?) Toronto Raptors, here are some of the endless questions that we may begin to see the first grains of resolution for: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>What will the Celtics be like in a post-aPaulycliptic world?</span><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Who is this Brad Stevens fellow, and does he speak Ubuntu?</span><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNRxXYU2LAW9o-VnjWkGHP-hBKQ6wpWrzRFMxieSzo4GsOf8M8vC71xdx8P7QZwksus7WwMiPioKJgMWG-0w0sLPRMUTpUiZGixO8V56W7zWZx6ctpYLv1I4FF7cPIezbiZd_Vq_2VIg/s1600/Brad+Stevens+Coach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNRxXYU2LAW9o-VnjWkGHP-hBKQ6wpWrzRFMxieSzo4GsOf8M8vC71xdx8P7QZwksus7WwMiPioKJgMWG-0w0sLPRMUTpUiZGixO8V56W7zWZx6ctpYLv1I4FF7cPIezbiZd_Vq_2VIg/s400/Brad+Stevens+Coach.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Is Jared Sullinger fully healed from his back surgery, and should we even care following his recent domestic violence arrest?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Is Kelly “The KO Kid” Olynyk for real?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Will Brandon Bass make us forget Kevin Garnett (sorry…just had to check and see if you were paying attention)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Can Courtney Lee make us forget about E’twaun Moore, JaJuan Johnson and Sean Williams? (okay, that was just unfair…)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Is “El Hombre Indestructible” Vitor Faverani really indestructible?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Can Jeff Green continue to “act like an @$$hole and lead the Celtics?</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zkmGl-b3Xa5eiujqqNRvX8LE9LFIP0SULp0fObpSa5Uz__f2FjmBZeWT9MO6Cqo1nF0crHL3tfY9p7rRXI44nCPCk-HWDpgdILPIA3QqlSsAUHJ64nZak5RP7YqUhamvsrw0BI_dlkc/s1600/Kris-Humphries-4.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zkmGl-b3Xa5eiujqqNRvX8LE9LFIP0SULp0fObpSa5Uz__f2FjmBZeWT9MO6Cqo1nF0crHL3tfY9p7rRXI44nCPCk-HWDpgdILPIA3QqlSsAUHJ64nZak5RP7YqUhamvsrw0BI_dlkc/s400/Kris-Humphries-4.bmp" width="350" /></span></a><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Will Kris Humphries be more than just a pretty face with an ugly reality show stint?</span></span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·</span></span> Will Jordan Crawford settle down or will he forever be a castmember of "Guards Gone Wild?"</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Do we FINALLY have a true backup point guard in Phil Pressey?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Can Gerald Wallace find the fountain of youth and “Crash” the Celtics’ lineup, or is he just playing out the string until the trade deadline lets him off the hook?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Can Avery Bradley silence the critics by making defenses pay with the jumpshot, dish and dribble while continuing to ensure that his opponents don’t return the favor?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·</span></span> Can Marshon Brooks realize some of the great potential he showcased as a Nets rookie?</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Will Rondo be back before the All-Star break? And will the so-called “experts" ever stop monotonously suggesting that he must be traded?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>What the Hell happened to Donny Marshall?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Will new broadcaster Danny Ainge say anything bad about the General Manager and get himself suspended?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Czjy4lpoTuy0YX4IO2KNdyQ6HdDy-z_Tjjworufpy6Clxxm3xDN8DCyhW-AMakD5Mc2MpIXNu6GifgMatmb-9baPLpdv5f9wtJcpStw-Y81M1lV0iwPk_Hqm9XzPFfTvTo7dDovCWSk/s1600/Keith+Bogans+chokes+Leandro+Barbosa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Czjy4lpoTuy0YX4IO2KNdyQ6HdDy-z_Tjjworufpy6Clxxm3xDN8DCyhW-AMakD5Mc2MpIXNu6GifgMatmb-9baPLpdv5f9wtJcpStw-Y81M1lV0iwPk_Hqm9XzPFfTvTo7dDovCWSk/s400/Keith+Bogans+chokes+Leandro+Barbosa.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>How long will it be before Keith Bogans tires of the rebuild and </span><a href="http://greenheadzblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/un-flagrante-derelecto-anatomy-of-good.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">chokes someone out Leandro Barbosa-style</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">? </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">These and other breathless questions await…the journey of discovery begins tonight! Tune in to Comcast Sportsnet tonight at 7:30! Why am I yelling?!!? </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's pre-season!!!</span></span></div>
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</span><br />HeadzGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13800605903499072278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6375592439763665965.post-84057664966343610582013-10-03T20:54:00.000-07:002013-10-03T21:20:58.159-07:00Post Position: Celtics' Newest "Pole Cats" Key To Any Success In 2013-14 <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCNmCJnIHz9tgvlN8uP55wY1xfHW_-csVNOPjuM-pdIhuxErHuK3cD1PiM_MytACFEvecdJSzrMdp2GLyhiviVq78_TWa7-WrnSSg0-Q84Ly0a-izp-wSJutuNszQE7CYDUDJ3OUKwUQ/s1600/Pole+Cats.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCNmCJnIHz9tgvlN8uP55wY1xfHW_-csVNOPjuM-pdIhuxErHuK3cD1PiM_MytACFEvecdJSzrMdp2GLyhiviVq78_TWa7-WrnSSg0-Q84Ly0a-izp-wSJutuNszQE7CYDUDJ3OUKwUQ/s400/Pole+Cats.JPG" width="321" /></a></span></div>
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It's no mistake that the two most recent additions to the picture posts in the lobby of North Station at the Garden are also two of the longer tenured players on the roster. It's also no accident that they happen to play the same positions as the two Hall-of-Famers whose shoes they’re about to step into now that they’ve gone cookin’ for Brooklyn.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2Kt83mxyGK73nb4If8GlSAM4YOhu2hSLqBifYJPscog8i9F-ZR2gRmcZEwGnB7u4xAMB33lJGZOfz1WtE9UnubEplyCpp7kb-XMKqCI7-2_w6oB4GGh1DR6lu6paODYucmj6iVoXsgU/s1600/brooklyn-nets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2Kt83mxyGK73nb4If8GlSAM4YOhu2hSLqBifYJPscog8i9F-ZR2gRmcZEwGnB7u4xAMB33lJGZOfz1WtE9UnubEplyCpp7kb-XMKqCI7-2_w6oB4GGh1DR6lu6paODYucmj6iVoXsgU/s400/brooklyn-nets.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
But, as exciting as it might be for friends, fans and family members of Jeff Green and Brandon Bass to see these guys sharing facetime with the team's one true All-Star, point guard Rajon Rondo along with Avery Bradley and Jared Sullinger (another more recent "pole player" and another key ingredient in the C's kitchen this year), their actual significance to the team and any hopes it may have of an even moderately successful year can't be overstated.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RReiJLtNcU2yhkApynoVGce1V3Dgpu38-j4-i9OkP288i5Xl5yv5KPLiQoUyuUSRNDbeY0vHYFvKEGRjHfHK0luoKaPDRTWkNCsq98-yB2rgGfQHme5yhDhGmTP9rB0U-lW6Y6E5eSg/s1600/Green+Driving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RReiJLtNcU2yhkApynoVGce1V3Dgpu38-j4-i9OkP288i5Xl5yv5KPLiQoUyuUSRNDbeY0vHYFvKEGRjHfHK0luoKaPDRTWkNCsq98-yB2rgGfQHme5yhDhGmTP9rB0U-lW6Y6E5eSg/s400/Green+Driving.jpg" width="400" /></a></span>For many, the natural inclination is to say that Green is the new Pierce, and as far as filling the open small forward position, this would be accurate. And he will, indeed, be asked to shoulder some of the load that Pierce once carried. But, fans shouldn't be expecting “The Truth 2.0” or even “Truth-Lite,” or anything resembling the Swiss Army Knife that was Pierce for so many years "giving the game what it needs" whether it was scoring 41 against LeBron in a mano-a-mano Playoff duel or posting multiple triple-doubles in point-forward mode in Rondo's absence.<br />
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Well, okay...he's got the "scoring 41 against LeBron" thing handled just fine and then some, but he’s never carried a team for an extended period in any season of his short career and expectations that he fill the sizable chasm of leadership that now exists behind Rondo are not only wrongheaded but just plain unfair. There is only one Paul Pierce (as it will undoubtedly take until his induction into the Hall of Fame for casual fans to fully appreciate) and Green is clearly not cut from the same cloth – but, then, few people are.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-XI1UueAQpMHGoXjuTejurl96JzsV6Oo_LJ1dFmUm7NFixlmSXY4LXnizw5hD-3k1CdSuEZQbGHNe6jy5fxtRqZBGGbdiJZl1sQD_ofteLZt2pvsZN3_CIEINFzhYabCRikC0YZMXio/s1600/Green+on+Jefferson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-XI1UueAQpMHGoXjuTejurl96JzsV6Oo_LJ1dFmUm7NFixlmSXY4LXnizw5hD-3k1CdSuEZQbGHNe6jy5fxtRqZBGGbdiJZl1sQD_ofteLZt2pvsZN3_CIEINFzhYabCRikC0YZMXio/s400/Green+on+Jefferson.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
What he IS is a hyper-athletic 6" 9' forward that is as comfortable in the low post as he is slashing in from the wing and banging one off some hapless defender's dome or popping threes from the corner. He is an underrated defender and has increasingly shown a willingness to pick up his aggression on offense and, as Garnett once implored him, "be an @$hole." With an even larger role to play and a quicker team to play it with, Green can now thrive in the open court and take more shots in an offense in which he is no longer third and sometimes even fourth fiddle while not having to carry the total scoring burden in the way that Pierce was often forced to with Garnett resting on the bench – especially after Ray Allen took his talents to South Beach.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9OVeTbZZsIAQEMZRYMu2LGuV4ttk37vj3uUib0IR25rV2ZKWIUNJ3R3_JlFV1wuUBo3Jq518YPAEm90tw3JrsvT5XtgJKJfiR-SYI4YGOk8wm5Mewz0RqHsM8-melgKdfxRhewp957Y/s1600/Bass+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9OVeTbZZsIAQEMZRYMu2LGuV4ttk37vj3uUib0IR25rV2ZKWIUNJ3R3_JlFV1wuUBo3Jq518YPAEm90tw3JrsvT5XtgJKJfiR-SYI4YGOk8wm5Mewz0RqHsM8-melgKdfxRhewp957Y/s400/Bass+shot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Brandon Bass is the other key that will determine whether the Celtics sink to the level that experts have been projecting or whether they rise above expectations, particularly with Rondo on the sidelines for a portion of the season and Garnett and his Big D down the road and out of town.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ubpYYMZGSYX0E2oxOp6V1mqem0ZEVGKIbbHK3AM9zyJcWOibxcFsORaK0AAqOiP2c4AlYrYZ5O72o4Up3gajb_7Ic4rolfZ4uocjmOsMANtVpEebbiRjoLN9Kt_4ltFz2gOa2_XmecY/s1600/Bass+defense.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ubpYYMZGSYX0E2oxOp6V1mqem0ZEVGKIbbHK3AM9zyJcWOibxcFsORaK0AAqOiP2c4AlYrYZ5O72o4Up3gajb_7Ic4rolfZ4uocjmOsMANtVpEebbiRjoLN9Kt_4ltFz2gOa2_XmecY/s400/Bass+defense.jpg" width="400" /></a>While no one will ever be confusing Bass with The Big Ticket, he has an uncannily similar midrange game (though not quite as consistent), is also unafraid to put his head down and plow to the hoop for a power-flush, and is an above-average defender. In fact, his “D” is vastly underappreciated by most average NBA fans and announcers alike. <a href="http://www.celticstown.com/2012/10/25/brandon-bass-apparently-is-an-excellent-post-defender/" target="_blank">Just look at</a> the <a href="http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/brandon_bass_is_an_excellent_post_defender_apparently/12052330" target="_blank">variety of stories</a> written by a heap of knowledgeable voices about both his prowess according to Synergistics (not that I buy into that sort of thing) and about how he is now using his massive 6-foot-9, 250-pound body to try and <a href="http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/sidebar/bass-has-become-defensive-leader-cs" target="_blank">plug the defensive leadership breach</a> for the team.<br />
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One need look no further than <a href="http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2013/04/brandon_bass_carmelo_anthony_n.html" target="_blank">his defense against Carmelo Anthony</a> – one of the League’s premier scorers, in case your head has been cryogenically frozen for the past ten years – during the Celtics v. Knicks series in last year’s Playoffs to see what he is capable of.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3mdpsYaX5zVhX5LyiCPdGTWq6nJRfKuLOa965TmfaF6N6TzXY8yprvdlR6z3uCmP2G9PsvFQ21_xHjpQq6NtQfLsL-Ezpqlty66GcIQOdfCwU5VJyc4N6pHTpuk6e9fwyd2rQZboxDg/s1600/Brandon-Bass-Dunk-Over-Brook-Lopez.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3mdpsYaX5zVhX5LyiCPdGTWq6nJRfKuLOa965TmfaF6N6TzXY8yprvdlR6z3uCmP2G9PsvFQ21_xHjpQq6NtQfLsL-Ezpqlty66GcIQOdfCwU5VJyc4N6pHTpuk6e9fwyd2rQZboxDg/s400/Brandon-Bass-Dunk-Over-Brook-Lopez.gif" width="400" /></a>I know that Bass fell out of favor with a lot of <strike>fairweather</strike> fans last year as he struggled to regain his footing after Doc Rivers employed a revolving door for his power forwards, alternately starting Bass, then Sullinger, then Bass again when Sullinger went down for the season. While the argument has been made that NBA players are professionals and should be able to handle being shuffled in and out of the lineup with their ego and confidence intact, I challenge readers to honestly consider how well they’d adjust to being “benched” by their boss in favor of that young go-getter from [insert department here] and then being asked to take over for him only after he goes out on sick leave for the year.<br />
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Yes, Bass should technically have been able to adjust to the adversity and come to play when his name was called (jeez…I just completed the trifecta of modern sports clichés!), but it seemed clear that his brain was a little scrambled by the process and it took him a while to straighten himself out – not coincidentally around the same time that his main competition for the position was cleared out of the way for the season.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGCvjHJbHDo0_AqhY0gw4FgwEftlbLrQvCNH3Nnodq796PXzep0_wUalqIGLpF9ezUMAI0ukbQ1cIlMJn7XcdglSt-CdtQategI3lqK88wYtI6yNlABZn7XYZYfV3DP8RjZu75nN0TYI/s1600/Brandon+Bass+Brooklyn+Nets+v+Boston+Celtics+k0avj3b9Auhl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGCvjHJbHDo0_AqhY0gw4FgwEftlbLrQvCNH3Nnodq796PXzep0_wUalqIGLpF9ezUMAI0ukbQ1cIlMJn7XcdglSt-CdtQategI3lqK88wYtI6yNlABZn7XYZYfV3DP8RjZu75nN0TYI/s400/Brandon+Bass+Brooklyn+Nets+v+Boston+Celtics+k0avj3b9Auhl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Ultimately, it’s about the team and the sum of its parts, whether Coach Brad Stevens can adjust quickly to the pro game and whether Rondo comes back before the All-Star break – both physically AND mentally. But, for the team to defy the <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4706987/power-rankings-cs-at-no-27" target="_blank">haters and prognosticators</a>, it will be the actions of Uncle Jeff and B Bass that determine whether the Celtics will be stuck under water or if they’re able to stick their heads up and catch a breath or two.HeadzGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13800605903499072278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6375592439763665965.post-82115972576941838422013-09-11T18:48:00.001-07:002013-09-11T18:48:30.795-07:00Kudos To Jay King For Story Featuring Avery Bradley's Assist To Ailing Child<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6atvaINJhuFx5LmMn4cSXbwHWBmeFDaosLAicLTAsy3ROs2vKOE5joa4xYQRt9r1aRAvQ-jtSCAQsw6H7PWrzTyuzdzGeMfLWHIvF7v6vlGJvbmmW8NxvRQlCyOPuD6hk8_n-XadaiiM/s1600/Bradley+and+KJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6atvaINJhuFx5LmMn4cSXbwHWBmeFDaosLAicLTAsy3ROs2vKOE5joa4xYQRt9r1aRAvQ-jtSCAQsw6H7PWrzTyuzdzGeMfLWHIvF7v6vlGJvbmmW8NxvRQlCyOPuD6hk8_n-XadaiiM/s400/Bradley+and+KJ.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Earlier today, as I was sifting through some of the recent Celtics-related news, I came across this great article and video from back on September 4th written by Jay King of MassLive.com about a story that first appeared in the <em>North Providence Valley Breeze</em>.<br />
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The story features Avery Bradley and Cedric Maxwell's visit to the home of K.J. Ricci, huge Celtics fan and proud recipient of the Celtics-Re/Max home court makeover contest -- you know, it's the one where the winners get their driveways remade into sweet-looking basketball courts and rooms are decked out in full C's regalia.<br />
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Without giving too much of the article away, K.J. is a child seriously ill with an aggressive form of leukemia, which has occurred on top of a rare bone disorder that has required six separate surgeries over the course of the ten short years that he has been alive.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XQCTFgg7Wfc5K8S4XoQLIab2kRko687bBjk_LSdbYNeXvm4pSqcZ3FANhssjdUQBPZTL964xAzFzNhlMLkVWLLI1zBit9LB_j6DGkV9-jr0oIciTTt_EkrA2aMax631NXzEuRWWb7N8/s1600/Avery-Bradley-psd59301.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XQCTFgg7Wfc5K8S4XoQLIab2kRko687bBjk_LSdbYNeXvm4pSqcZ3FANhssjdUQBPZTL964xAzFzNhlMLkVWLLI1zBit9LB_j6DGkV9-jr0oIciTTt_EkrA2aMax631NXzEuRWWb7N8/s1600/Avery-Bradley-psd59301.png" /></a></div>
In the video, you can see Bradley (who is dealing with his own adversity since the recent passing of his mother) presenting K.J. with a Celtics jersey featuring the number #13 and "Ricci" on the back, along with one of his own "#0" player jerseys.<br />
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As bloggers covering the same subject as hundreds of other bloggers, we can sometimes become too preoccupied with breaking news about the game, its players and all of the minutia surrounding them, but I wanted to take this opportunity to commend Jay for bringing this story to light, along with the <em>North Providence Valley Breeze </em>for breaking it.<br />
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You can find the entire story <a href="http://north%20providence%20valley%20breeze/" target="_blank">here</a> along with links that take you to K.J.'s FaceBook page and a page where you can make a donation to help defray the spiraling costs of his continuing medical treatment.<br />
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Oh, and while we're at it, why don't you go and follow Jay on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/ByJayKing" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Nice work, Jay. Bravo, Sir.HeadzGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13800605903499072278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6375592439763665965.post-2046926482382922062013-09-09T15:22:00.001-07:002013-09-09T15:22:34.112-07:00New Hall Of Famer Payton Names Rondo One Of Three True Point Guards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LK7MdZv-cNYlyTBdg7Q3_1nUS_mFR_BKwPzV0W1iNfxlb8QuYn2KhSxmuDOYWODziV0QAOgXLHKHbJE9yylCx-V2I5SKd68gNYfs8_P-VwROef06gt2l1YjIB3_cab6cQhge7cBXhRU/s1600/Payton+Rondo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LK7MdZv-cNYlyTBdg7Q3_1nUS_mFR_BKwPzV0W1iNfxlb8QuYn2KhSxmuDOYWODziV0QAOgXLHKHbJE9yylCx-V2I5SKd68gNYfs8_P-VwROef06gt2l1YjIB3_cab6cQhge7cBXhRU/s400/Payton+Rondo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In case you missed it amidst all of your hand-wringing about your fantasy football fails and "pick 'em" faux pas, this little gem from newly minted Hall Of Fame Point Guard Gary "GP" Payton was reported by The Springfield Republican's Tom King via MassLive's Twitter feed:</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #38761d;"><strong>Gary Payton, a 2013 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and one of the greatest point guards since the ABA/NBA merger, told reporters Saturday that there are only three point guards in the NBA today.</strong></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong><span style="color: #38761d;">“We don’t really have point guards in the NBA now. We really have (shooting) guards – and that’s a fact,” Payton said. “I think there’s only three true point guards that play like point guards. I think </span></strong><a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2779/chris-paul" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Chris Paul</span></a><strong><span style="color: #38761d;"> is one, I think </span></strong><a href="http://search.masslive.com/rajon+rondo/" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #38761d;">(Rajon) Rondo</span></a><strong><span style="color: #38761d;"> is one, and I think </span></strong><a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/1015/tony-parker" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Tony Parker</span></a><strong><span style="color: #38761d;"> is the other.”</span></strong></span><strong><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></strong></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #38761d;"><strong>Payton will be introduced at his enshrinement on Sunday by John Stockton, the NBA’s all-time assists leader. The nine-time NBA All-Star, known as “The Glove,” ranks eighth in career assists with 8,966.</strong></span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #38761d;"><strong>“John Stockton was the hardest player for me to play against because he wouldn’t talk trash,” Payton said. “I could talk to Michael (Jordan) and maybe get under his skin a little, but Stockton never talked back.”</strong></span></blockquote>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRFJVmRCw8dqh4c5Du2EyhnzIb9CE1K2t-xWL9nVEqHX5PiZEJ9AoBfzrSBcyjX-oiLun8yCsthElat5oJNqxsYA92NKR-O5su4-9Q44MBu8pMuBM1yESnhu8OU50_yYn2pEUNt7fU_Y/s1600/payton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRFJVmRCw8dqh4c5Du2EyhnzIb9CE1K2t-xWL9nVEqHX5PiZEJ9AoBfzrSBcyjX-oiLun8yCsthElat5oJNqxsYA92NKR-O5su4-9Q44MBu8pMuBM1yESnhu8OU50_yYn2pEUNt7fU_Y/s320/payton.jpg" width="208" /></a>Coming from one of THE preeminent points the game has ever seen, particularly one who holds down the 8th spot all-time in assists, this ought to give Rondo-haters pause the next time they attempt to leave him off the list of top-three PG's (especially for the likes of Russell Westbrook or Derrick Rose!).<br />
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I've long argued that Rondo is one of the few true points left in the game (and have a running battle with friends about him being THE best today when one considers what the job of a PG is actually supposed to be -- hint: it's not to be the primary scorer), and GP's assessment will only serve to fuel the fire that rages within.<br />
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But, that's a post for another time.<br />
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For now, let's just take this little bit of love from The Glove, cherish #9 a little bit more and hope that he comes back soon.<br />
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HeadzGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13800605903499072278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6375592439763665965.post-68039012512084349472013-09-08T19:20:00.000-07:002013-09-08T19:20:26.389-07:00Legendary Oscar Schmidt Scores Big At Hall Of Fame Induction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I know I'm dating myself here (now THAT's true self love!), but I have been a fan of the "Brazilian Bird" Oscar Schmidt since he burst upon the international basketball scene back in the late 1970's and through the 80's. He beat the U.S. entry almost singlehandedly in the 1987 Pan Am Games, scoring a whopping 46 points; he <em>averaged</em> 42.3 in the 1988 Summer Olympics; and he became known well enough around the world to only need one name -- "Oscar." Nuff said!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPb47wbo5YfvAL_Da8WUmDAwMNDLxhrNrwL9YqoPGiJqdvR1BazevJn1LTrr31MRA7jcpfPpLioja0nAvLuSFup3Ui1oQ0whoDNrJWlGPtQLPvvlSdaqLOLhUUasWtNS0zM4C_J3Uk6U/s1600/oscar-schimidt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPb47wbo5YfvAL_Da8WUmDAwMNDLxhrNrwL9YqoPGiJqdvR1BazevJn1LTrr31MRA7jcpfPpLioja0nAvLuSFup3Ui1oQ0whoDNrJWlGPtQLPvvlSdaqLOLhUUasWtNS0zM4C_J3Uk6U/s400/oscar-schimidt.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>
You can check out his Hall of Fame Induction speech <a href="http://www.nba.com/video/channels/hall_of_fame/2013/09/08/20130908-schmidt-speech.nba" target="_blank">here</a>, and I strongly encourage you to do so. In my humble opinion, his was the most entertaining and heartfelt presentation of the day. Oh, and also...Oscar's sponsor into the Hall was a certain well-known green-teamer who was so aptly described by the honoree thusly: "He doesn't run...he doesn't jump, but he plays the best of everyone here." <br />
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But, if you're asking why Oscar's induction is relevant to Greenheadz everywhere, it's not just because his presenter was one Larry Joe Bird (who happened to be one of the three other Celtics hitting the stage in some fashion this year. Bob Cousy, John Havlicek and Bill Walton were the others. Rick Pitino doesn't count cuz he wasn't a "true" Celtic! But, I digress). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV3tLGKkglt19hN0c20-Wa9V4QltM42N8k1P2lnqaHf8NfjhvDGGAkeryGT9PBlT97jnM9lrv3dXvcELwSPJprx113NTl_91HKytBnW_FzIieNUuN8Qy1HCe4qlRuRKXgP1goGEPfRbo/s1600/schmidt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV3tLGKkglt19hN0c20-Wa9V4QltM42N8k1P2lnqaHf8NfjhvDGGAkeryGT9PBlT97jnM9lrv3dXvcELwSPJprx113NTl_91HKytBnW_FzIieNUuN8Qy1HCe4qlRuRKXgP1goGEPfRbo/s1600/schmidt.jpg" /></a>Oscar's induction should be relevant to all because he was one of the best, if not <em>the</em> best, shooters the international game has ever seen...reminiscent of our own "greatest shooter ever," #33, and Celtics fans tend to appreciate great basketball players wherever they might come from and whomever they may have played for.<br />
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So, check Oscar out and watch as the Basketball Hall of Fame pays tribute to one of the true greats to have ever played the game.<br />
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Okay, fine...if you really want to, you can check out Coach Pitino <a href="http://www.nba.com/video/channels/hall_of_fame/2013/09/08/rick-pitino-hall-of-fame-acceptance-speech.nba" target="_blank">here,</a> but, if you do that, then you should also watch the rest of the festivities <a href="http://www.nba.com/halloffame/?ls=iref:nbahpt13a" target="_blank">here</a> with <a href="http://www.nba.com/video/channels/hall_of_fame/2013/09/08/gary-payton-hall-of-fame-acceptance-speech.nba" target="_blank">Gary Payton</a>, <a href="http://www.nba.com/video/channels/hall_of_fame/2013/09/08/dawn-staley-hall-of-fame-acceptance-speech.nba" target="_blank">Dawn Staley</a>, <a href="http://www.nba.com/video/channels/hall_of_fame/2013/09/08/bernard-king-hall-of-fame-acceptance-speech.nba" target="_blank">Bernard King</a>, <a href="http://www.nba.com/video/channels/hall_of_fame/2013/09/08/richie-guerin-hall-of-fame-acceptance-speech.nba" target="_blank">Richie Guerin</a> and the rest. HeadzGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13800605903499072278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6375592439763665965.post-67680410702762166202013-09-06T16:51:00.001-07:002013-09-06T16:51:39.794-07:00J.R. Smith Gets Taken To The Hole By Karma<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhNNIzImPBEkxcbCBIpAiuTg4ebCFiyNf5fb350sQ57ifkWsefV9P_Wlu_D6WVe9WpJ2B-6BYdUuO0Y3hM-QigWrIRSM1NMBA9UMd8bk3c7MOpEavXqZ6GnqL2chHOEP_IwclUXd9Pp4/s1600/JR+Sad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhNNIzImPBEkxcbCBIpAiuTg4ebCFiyNf5fb350sQ57ifkWsefV9P_Wlu_D6WVe9WpJ2B-6BYdUuO0Y3hM-QigWrIRSM1NMBA9UMd8bk3c7MOpEavXqZ6GnqL2chHOEP_IwclUXd9Pp4/s400/JR+Sad.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Recently, J.R. Smith followed in the <a href="http://greenheadzblog.blogspot.com/2013/08/meet-ray-felton-member-of-new-york.html" target="_blank">tiny footsteps of fellow New York WhinyBaby Ray Felton</a> by wildly overreacting to a statement made this past summer by new Brooklyn Nets arrival Paul Pierce, who stated that it was "time for the Nets to start running New York." </div>
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<a href="http://nesn.com/2013/09/j-r-smith-calls-paul-pierce-bitter-person-just-getting-out-of-boston-says-words-about-nets-have-consequences/" target="_blank">Calling Paul Pierce "bitter",</a> Smith went on to issue a thinly veiled threat that Pierce's words would have "consequences" and that he would have to pay for them.</div>
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It now appears that Smith was doing a bit of projecting with his statements as it turns out that he'll be <a href="http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/9641573/jr-smith-new-york-knicks-suspended-violation-nba-drug-policy" target="_blank">serving a five-game suspension for violation of the NBA's drug policy</a>, which he'll begin upon eligibility to play following rehabilitation after knee surgery. The suspension will also cost him a cool $252,000.</div>
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How's THAT for consequenses and paying?</div>
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Maybe now the Knicks can eat a nice STFU sandwich and let their actions speak instead of their mouths. </div>
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<a href="http://greenheadzblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/late-to-their-own-funeral-celtics-never.html" target="_blank">But, if history holds true...</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFMTwY0f-7tpoYW85eUZZViSwBM0zkpMB7YcO8Msn0IxVBR8gVhApeRUiHJonSPZaWH5S1ghFo4Uyvnd1YpfiWWCLr3OEBRvOr3vNLC690EanhiyifyFJuiMdp2oA35_V8xChG4R8G-U/s1600/knicks-all-black-elite-daily-600x300.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" class="CSS_LIGHTBOX_SCALED_IMAGE_IMG" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFMTwY0f-7tpoYW85eUZZViSwBM0zkpMB7YcO8Msn0IxVBR8gVhApeRUiHJonSPZaWH5S1ghFo4Uyvnd1YpfiWWCLr3OEBRvOr3vNLC690EanhiyifyFJuiMdp2oA35_V8xChG4R8G-U/s400/knicks-all-black-elite-daily-600x300.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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They won't.</div>
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The Boston Celtics/Brooklyn Nets games should be great if for no other reason than nostalgia, but the Nets and Knicks will play four times this season...as Chris Webber loves to say...<br />
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CAAAAAN'T WAIT!!!HeadzGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13800605903499072278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6375592439763665965.post-39600320481360922882013-08-19T18:44:00.001-07:002013-08-19T18:44:53.049-07:00Meet Ray Felton: Member Of The New York WhinyBabiesSo, Ray Felton of the New York Knicks is bent out of shape about the preseason predictions of a certain sports media empire located in Bristol Connecticut? Somebody get this guy some warm milk, footie pajamas and a reassuring hug, STAT!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1Fsfs3Q3ZXsuOp7bW2iXTJa3SQqGn9vUFuavv1-8pCfAs4C6KiST1nolGDmwkH5UtgqEURE-gOQQsC5oGfhEoN1clyyn5D-5YxBRLpIBP_Kdgcoi4e0IBZhGODYmuErRJY6Ki_SrkFg/s1600/Felton+STAT+in+Footies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1Fsfs3Q3ZXsuOp7bW2iXTJa3SQqGn9vUFuavv1-8pCfAs4C6KiST1nolGDmwkH5UtgqEURE-gOQQsC5oGfhEoN1clyyn5D-5YxBRLpIBP_Kdgcoi4e0IBZhGODYmuErRJY6Ki_SrkFg/s400/Felton+STAT+in+Footies.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Seriously, Ray? <br />
<br />
At least <a href="http://www.sportsworldreport.com/articles/19685/20130814/la-lakers-rumors-kobe-bryant-motivated-poor-preseason-projections-assistant.htm" target="_blank">Kobe Bryant</a> had the sense to give his team's lowered expectations the royal "Harhummmph!" and move on. And HE's got a problem or two to contend with that you and your mates don't.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMIHTunEnHgpNSk7MsTyx81NioemFb3MyRth3D85rZ6VaM6O9TTAEfbZ60Lj9x7L_j-oBcIXyGxVVpZ1ux8Tf-Rn9BMVXKTtDBRMEsG0L-qjLCJ324PhKsloxj2myZ5TZUber1rVgWvo/s1600/kobe-shrug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMIHTunEnHgpNSk7MsTyx81NioemFb3MyRth3D85rZ6VaM6O9TTAEfbZ60Lj9x7L_j-oBcIXyGxVVpZ1ux8Tf-Rn9BMVXKTtDBRMEsG0L-qjLCJ324PhKsloxj2myZ5TZUber1rVgWvo/s400/kobe-shrug.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Kobe's completely dysfunctional and disjointed team imploded well before he ever blew a tire and ended his season. Then, his team lost their franchise supersized summer rental after he beat town following a constant barrage of negative comments from teammates, fans and media alike. In his Felton-short time in L.A., Dwight Howard was constantly berated and belittled by Kobe (okay, the incessantly immature Dwight Howard clearly deserved those size 14 "Black Mambas" up his @$$, I won't argue that...), even as he dealt with a nagging shoulder injury for much of the season. Add to that the uncertainty around a rapidly degenerating Steve Nash, Cottonelle center Pau Gasol and the aforementioned Achilles tendon injury and your problems seem to disappear faster than a New York Minute in comparison. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0ZmXDvIQ-BAXnPVPKmOikKMZaUl2uqqrycmHeVXZPSaFjDvRzDCaXiTWhS3hO2ATlwYZDItKsgP5wQI3ooEgj8i0NW3mms7EyGL9nR_XYf7D_JbzJgmu58yE3i4wCXaWAUZqfnj3hJY/s1600/Cottonelle+Gasol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0ZmXDvIQ-BAXnPVPKmOikKMZaUl2uqqrycmHeVXZPSaFjDvRzDCaXiTWhS3hO2ATlwYZDItKsgP5wQI3ooEgj8i0NW3mms7EyGL9nR_XYf7D_JbzJgmu58yE3i4wCXaWAUZqfnj3hJY/s400/Cottonelle+Gasol.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And, yet...even still...the Lakers look to be potentially more competitive than your notch-above-borderline-mediocre squad. They've added some interesting pieces in the wake of the L.A. Dwightmare to the point that you have to think a healthy Kobe Bryant (as much as it may pain me to say so) might be able to drag them to the postseason and make some modest noise. <br />
<br />
So, <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/47947/felton-knicks-finishing-fifth-come-on" target="_blank">you think your team is entitled to a higher ranking than #5</a> on the completely speculative and meaningless preseason "Predictometer?"<br />
<br />
Ray....Ray, Ray, Ray...<br />
<br />
It took your team six games to win a first round matchup with a Boston team leaning hard on two "old" stars in the absence of its best and most critical Playoff performer in Rajon Rondo -- not to mention being saddled with a gaggle of other injuries to important players like rookie phenom Jared Sullinger and sparkplug Leandro Barbosa! And then you went down in the second round with just two wins to show for it! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yAgXwx4DAtEe1SjI6j9uGjWNryTSm0fZZm22pDLR6QZAtooKkXUTtMB7G1rxlu5en1g-ojOYPsoJ1WWuPXdKYUG2gHFY7UTl4as5GNbilN7jefBbPIXXMsWkKgXulqMXldtPPPKZp0o/s1600/Knicks+lost+to+Pacers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yAgXwx4DAtEe1SjI6j9uGjWNryTSm0fZZm22pDLR6QZAtooKkXUTtMB7G1rxlu5en1g-ojOYPsoJ1WWuPXdKYUG2gHFY7UTl4as5GNbilN7jefBbPIXXMsWkKgXulqMXldtPPPKZp0o/s400/Knicks+lost+to+Pacers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So...what....you want to be slotted for the Finals now that you have the ancient <strike>Metta World Peace</strike> Ron Artest eating up a roster spot? Are you (rhymes with "trucking") kidding me?!?!<br />
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You want angst? Try having your general manager take a keg of dynamite to your team and losing two Hall Of Fame players in the process to make way for a full rebuild and then tell me about how unfair it all is. Granted, it had to happen and really, I'm doing quite well with it all now...(happy place...happy place...), but...still. <br />
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And, since we're talking about Felton and his New York WhinyBabies...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswTdIKXfW8Ufj0RvdSriCF0r1I7CTaKYB9gr4STgrPABEf0_qglUBpdnbBd76mvocue8B23VST_tmwG6yPxn-O_l24l5mQaegWcZc54iDwmS9EgvLt3BOj_kymb38Ydvkr2ba_V-tpTQ/s1600/Ray+Felton+crying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswTdIKXfW8Ufj0RvdSriCF0r1I7CTaKYB9gr4STgrPABEf0_qglUBpdnbBd76mvocue8B23VST_tmwG6yPxn-O_l24l5mQaegWcZc54iDwmS9EgvLt3BOj_kymb38Ydvkr2ba_V-tpTQ/s400/Ray+Felton+crying.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
He recently spoke to that very same mega sports network that rhymes with "We Guess The End," and spent the majority of this other interview trying to convince everyone that he doesn't care about Paul Pierce's statement calling for the Nets to begin running New York. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOjrhGT8bMef66x-hVySCvz-efouSLtoy0ZZnTPhs7ZEpSwQUYosUYoizrZG694QCCSYd8NnkC4L4gzgTb8nncXGXn-VtqPaIAbLegegXvNxQQngQbk62VxwxD_HskU3GS9wDd3Oi3Lw/s1600/Untouchable+Nets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOjrhGT8bMef66x-hVySCvz-efouSLtoy0ZZnTPhs7ZEpSwQUYosUYoizrZG694QCCSYd8NnkC4L4gzgTb8nncXGXn-VtqPaIAbLegegXvNxQQngQbk62VxwxD_HskU3GS9wDd3Oi3Lw/s400/Untouchable+Nets.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Memba Dis?!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Here's a little piece of his ardent indifference:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><strong>"They will never take over the city. Because we've got 'New York' on our chest," Felton said Sunday. "They've got 'Brooklyn' on their chest, and we've got 'New York.' They'll never take over the city."</strong></span> </blockquote>
And...<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><strong>"He's just trying to talk, talk, talk, to fuel the rivalry, which is good. I love it," said Felton, who laughed when asked about Pierce's comments. "I think it's good for us, it's good for the whole state, it's good. So, whatever -- I love it."</strong></span> </blockquote>
But, then...<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><strong>"I don't really pay no attention to what Paul is saying," added Felton, who was at St. John's University at a clinic for Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City. "I hear about it, but I don't pay it no attention. It's all fun and games to me."</strong></span></blockquote>
So, which is it, Ray? Are you actively challenging and being deeply offended by Pierce's assertion that the Nets will run New York? Do you think that it's a good thing and all it is, is The Truth being The Truth? Or do you not pay it any mind at all?<br />
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You know what I think, Ray? I think you have no idea what the (rhymes with "duck") you're talking about. And, you sound pretty dazed and confused, so -- barring your ingestion of actual mind altering substances -- you may be in need of some kind of attention, medical or otherwise.<br />
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I think I'm going to call you a wambulance. <br />
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You're welcome.HeadzGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13800605903499072278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6375592439763665965.post-17111112030954624092013-08-08T20:14:00.001-07:002013-08-08T20:14:47.558-07:00Paul Pierce: "It's Time For Us To Start Running This City."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwa70WSr0tftA730LyBXlI5nSZ9_lfw0OOkeQWPpIv-jzqmqL9k9VOaNnVIBEJSZ_XdODT1xzd38TGndHR8zX68NfIl7v7T2GDmaIWY1heQY7p4fafbo0XIMbtX8UIelEHtBAQ84OyrXI/s1600/Untouchable+Nets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwa70WSr0tftA730LyBXlI5nSZ9_lfw0OOkeQWPpIv-jzqmqL9k9VOaNnVIBEJSZ_XdODT1xzd38TGndHR8zX68NfIl7v7T2GDmaIWY1heQY7p4fafbo0XIMbtX8UIelEHtBAQ84OyrXI/s400/Untouchable+Nets.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
<br />
Yeah, this is a really nice article about the adjustment of the two "artists formerly known as Celtics," Paul Pierce (mostly) and Kevin Garnett adjusting to their new home and accepting their status as Brooklyn's Finest. It's also another opportunity to stalk these guys like an obsessed ex-boyfriend/girlfriend ("what did she do NOW? Did she say anything about me??") until I've fully moved on when the season starts (yeah...sure...).<br />
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But, what really excited me about <a href="http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/9551764/paul-pierce-says-brooklyn-nets-start-running-new-york" target="_blank">this article</a> was Paul Pierce in full "I'm the best shooter in the NBA" Truthmode and talking smack about the team that he really loves to stick it to. <br />
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You hear that, New York? There's a new group of Sheriffs in town and they're comin' to bring you to justice!<br />
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------<sigh...why can't we get players like that?>------</div>
HeadzGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13800605903499072278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6375592439763665965.post-37425575104239602142013-07-14T12:40:00.000-07:002013-08-02T05:25:54.904-07:00Hello, Crooklyn!: New York Pulls Hall-Of-Fame Heist As Celtics Press Reset Button<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdf0owTjix78jS6X287V_zPkXbM1DIb-5RyIpqtoWRzPSDw-kNS3_3Og9oLsz4A5iOfNT2JIFO_0bpAitOm5d5UMCHJReTw-1W0YFxC1y3YhDom22C8LvzOFyKWCl60dXHgJX0JKMi9UQ/s1600/Celtic+Nets.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdf0owTjix78jS6X287V_zPkXbM1DIb-5RyIpqtoWRzPSDw-kNS3_3Og9oLsz4A5iOfNT2JIFO_0bpAitOm5d5UMCHJReTw-1W0YFxC1y3YhDom22C8LvzOFyKWCl60dXHgJX0JKMi9UQ/s1600/Celtic+Nets.png" /></a></div>
And so, the die is cast...<br />
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The move that some have been clamoring for the past few years; the change that others have been fearing and railing against; the inevitable final wrap to the thrilling show that was "The New Big Three Era" has faded to black...Brooklyn black (and white).<br />
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I still haven't completely wrapped my mind around the idea that Paul Pierce...The Truth...is bringing his game (if you thought I was gonna say "taking his talents," you're in the wrong area code, buddy!) to Brooklyn along with honorary lifelong Celtic Kevin Garnett and unfortunate tattoo victim Jason Terry.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHU42CJ57sqvBNDyLFidupt9xqcBeHG70sk-JBJm-V4hvzGKKuF1yCyxTHsdPTkCY_GpiD0l7BoaTwno_wspIReZ6OUkonE3gcXwHRBCDHuH4F8JkaEXDTW9b2-gKd7Jldr8E-3fjVGDU/s1600/Terry+Tatoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHU42CJ57sqvBNDyLFidupt9xqcBeHG70sk-JBJm-V4hvzGKKuF1yCyxTHsdPTkCY_GpiD0l7BoaTwno_wspIReZ6OUkonE3gcXwHRBCDHuH4F8JkaEXDTW9b2-gKd7Jldr8E-3fjVGDU/s400/Terry+Tatoo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Calling all New Jersey area tatt artists...start practicing the conversion of a leprechaun to this:<br />
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Seriously, though...I'm not going to make this a long post (Yeah, right! You wish!) full of wistful memories about The Captain, 2008, or The Big Ticket or even the decommissioned old Jet. There have been more than enough of those pieces from other <a href="http://www.boston.com/blogs/sports/columnists/kaufman/2013/06/bidding_farewell_to_paul_pierce_and_kevin_garnett.html" target="_blank">sports reporters</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/6/28/4473290/paul-pierce-kevin-garnett-trade-celtics-nets-danny-ainge" target="_blank">bloggers</a>, family members and friends, <a href="http://www.wcvb.com/news/-/9849222/11795652/-/11fix67/-/index.html" target="_blank">news reporters trying their hand at sensitive sports esoterica</a>, man-in-the-street reaction <a href="http://studio.ndnmediaservices.com/wpix?freewheel=91044&sitesection=wpix_localnews&VID=24916156" target="_blank">(sigh...Brooklyn "fans")</a>, sad pets (no, seriously....)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdF6unmIV_L5cGr2VKksf1ZyQ02MSkM-DrbQ2gsXynZ12flgFbpGLLeooVQSLJuMjK8c0bHbmOIE3EechulWCVPlLoDZLsfJrXrEluuaya7Q51gf0G5tF1o0Gei38vj9YDYHHf7B5L6f0/s1600/Sad+Celtic+Pets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdF6unmIV_L5cGr2VKksf1ZyQ02MSkM-DrbQ2gsXynZ12flgFbpGLLeooVQSLJuMjK8c0bHbmOIE3EechulWCVPlLoDZLsfJrXrEluuaya7Q51gf0G5tF1o0Gei38vj9YDYHHf7B5L6f0/s400/Sad+Celtic+Pets.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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...and <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4705731/rapid-reaction-end-of-an-era-in-boston" target="_blank">much of it</a> has been either <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4705771/video-macmullan-on-legacies-of-kg-pierce" target="_blank">exactly what I would have said</a> or <a href="http://www.celticsblog.com/2013/7/12/4516522/celticsblog-reflect-on-pierce-garnett-legacies-kevin-paul-nets-brooklyn-champion-2008-memories-ainge" target="_blank">would have wanted to say</a>.<br />
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So, briefly, here are a few random thoughts that I wanted to throw out into the wind and watch them drift and fade into the dirt of the new Celtics foundation:<br />
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* I Am Really Happy For Paul And Kevin (And Jet, Too): No, really...I am. And, just to prove it, I'm gonna recite a really sappy line that I believe rather appropriate to this situation -- "If you love something, set it free. If it returns to you, then it was meant to be." It's no secret for those five of you who have read this blog (okay, I was stretching...two...thanks again Mom and Dad!) that Paul Pierce is my religion and the Boston Garden is the house of worship. But, when the trade was announced, I kind of felt relief. Relief because, as much as I wanted The Truth to have only ever worn the green upon retirement, I saw how much he and KG struggled to pull the C's along against New York and I really didn't want to watch it get a little worse each year until they retired broken and dispirited. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJ1uu87OW-qBcga_aRDOElhlj7AlYADTFJeYsB_dcFAg41gVv2fzR2XMc6nTELH3PB0CLVnIVq9jeT8-HhSDYfipYY4TFr9CDrSr_jsuOyW7S9fgm1jVVoURruUavRWPcYW_Q1MVv_t4/s1600/Hallmark+Second+Chances.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJ1uu87OW-qBcga_aRDOElhlj7AlYADTFJeYsB_dcFAg41gVv2fzR2XMc6nTELH3PB0CLVnIVq9jeT8-HhSDYfipYY4TFr9CDrSr_jsuOyW7S9fgm1jVVoURruUavRWPcYW_Q1MVv_t4/s400/Hallmark+Second+Chances.jpg" width="400" /></a>No, like any healthy end to a relationship this serious and committed, I wanted Paul to be able to walk away in good shape, take on his new life unafraid of trusting another team again, and find that special thing that makes him happy (Woah!! I have GOT to stop watching the Hallmark Channel with my girlfriend IMMEDIATELY!!). <br />
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My point being, Pierce and KG want the opportunity to play for another championship. They deserve that chance. They were robbed at least twice from having it happen again here in Boston (2009 and 2010), and this is their best possible chance at it before they hang 'em up. It was different with Ray for some reason (even though he was completely within his rights to take his talents to South Beach [ahh, THERE it is!] after Danny tried to trade him a couple of times and then Doc sat him for Avery Bradley). I don't know why, but it just was. Good luck, P2 and KG...I'll really miss you guys, but I can't wait to see what you do down in the BRK. Which leads me to another personal revelation...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3dvpETAbdWaG3oOXclxnOu3fHB4QXTHyap36cBwn5jmiYu5RPPKU6a13D416ueSyyzngvHeVkv2WQvzexLyCArLKNlbxUuMCkB5eQ2MrsNcs1psjjiU8LSCwcExHw79GeQWE408qLf4/s1600/RickyDavis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3dvpETAbdWaG3oOXclxnOu3fHB4QXTHyap36cBwn5jmiYu5RPPKU6a13D416ueSyyzngvHeVkv2WQvzexLyCArLKNlbxUuMCkB5eQ2MrsNcs1psjjiU8LSCwcExHw79GeQWE408qLf4/s200/RickyDavis.jpg" width="178" /></a>* I'm going Back to the Future with these new Celtics, and I don't mind the trip. Back in the Ramon Rivas, Ricky Davis, Sherman Douglas transitions I still watched my C's faithfully, sliding slowly from the sadness of the passing of the original Big Three era, the frustration of the M.L. Carr era (the M.L. stood for Mediocricy of Losers), to the empty-faced dejection of watching the other teams in the NBA become what my once-proud Celtics had always been. <br />
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But you know what? I started to really enjoy basketball again. I watched with wonder and basket ball bliss as the Bulls, Suns, Spurs and Pistons (okay, Bulls, Suns and Spurs, anyway...) played great basketball against other up-and-coming teams and I got to appreciate just how hard it actually was for teams to get to the Finals and win a Championship. As Danny continues on in full "pardon our appearance as we remodel" mode, I'm looking around the League with all the talented players on rising teams like the Clippers, Warriors, Cavaliers, Rockets, Timberwolves, Pacers, Nets (yes, even the Nets) and I'm really excited for the future of basketball. Which leads me to this observation...<br />
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* The Celtics A) are not going to be THAT bad and B) the future looks pretty bright for the C's right about now. Kelly Olynyk looks like a steal at #13 (I know, I know summer league...but you can't fake some of the offensive skills this guy is showing), we still have the best point guard in the League, Jeff Green is going to continue to be exciting, we have a handful of promising young talent and an even more promising six first-round picks in the next five years, Sullenger looks like a keeper and is taking on a little bit of a leadership role with his defiance of the Tanking Lobby...which takes me to my last thought...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDBWlcNLKqvhnqIxv0uEU6lojCpEvB9vXTRZKBPTTJeBRLv0We-a9umZMFr6Zhz9b5OX5IauJx0rVumoRPf_uP_JUxwtf6S_Pghg0kx65l-bFMT24v0pZZmVMCoUeZFjIlOEoABAjH74/s1600/Olynyk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDBWlcNLKqvhnqIxv0uEU6lojCpEvB9vXTRZKBPTTJeBRLv0We-a9umZMFr6Zhz9b5OX5IauJx0rVumoRPf_uP_JUxwtf6S_Pghg0kx65l-bFMT24v0pZZmVMCoUeZFjIlOEoABAjH74/s400/Olynyk.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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* The Celtics would do well to not even think about pretending to wonder about the concept of tanking. I have only seven words to more than adequately illustrate why this is NEVER a good idea: Tim Duncan, Kevin Durant and Greg Oden. For all the lore about the Luck O' The Irish and Celtic Mystique, the Celtics have been REALLY unlucky when they decide to provoke the fates and play intentionally bad basketball. Sure, the C's turned a lemon into Limoncello with the Durant/Oden crap-out by trading a draft pick and three quarters of the team for the pieces that would bring us Banner # 17, but the point is, they didn't get what they were shooting for with the all-out tank job. Leave tanking to the real losers of the league. Cleveland and Orlando, though both are admittedly now on the way up (Cleveland is definitely going to be heard from sooner than later), have tanked in their respective pasts. Guess how many championships they've won between the two of them? Here's a hint: if the number were an ex-pro football player turned actor, his name would be Dick Bupkis. No, I think the Celtics are on the correct path compiling draft pick after draft pick, dumping salary and hiring for the future. <br />
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Which takes me to my last point...<br />
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I am, as I have repeatedly stated, a true CFL (Celtic For Life) and I will always follow my green like a good husband -- in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer.<br />
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But, I'm sure I can be forgiven this season when I sit down on some cold and lonely Winter's night -- bowl of chips and drink by my side with clicker in hand flipping through cable as I wait for my beloved Celtics -- but instead, I stumble across an old familiar friend or two...(something's different about them. Did they change their hair? No, they're dressing differently!) and spending a little time with the team from Brooklyn.<br />
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I mean, they're coming back to retire as a Celtic, right? It doesn't mean anything. I don't love the Nets, I just have some unresolved issues that I need to work out.<br />
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<a href="http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2013/05/06/farewell-to-paul-pierce-kevin-garnett-and-the-celtics/" target="_blank">Boston Magazine's Farewell To Pierce and Kevin Garnett</a>, <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nba/news/20130628/kevin-garnett-paul-pierce-celtics-nets-trade/" target="_blank">Sports Illustrated's "End Of An Era Feature On The Truth and Big Ticket</a>, <a href="http://www.boston.com/sports/touching_all_the_bases/2013/06/necessary_end_of_an_era.html" target="_blank">Boston Globe's Goodbye,</a> <a href="http://www.csnne.com/page/paul-pierce-kevin-garnett-end-era" target="_blank">Comcast Sports Net "Paul And KG End Of An Era" Coverage</a>HeadzGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13800605903499072278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6375592439763665965.post-62950013757624520132013-05-07T19:32:00.000-07:002013-05-07T19:32:14.066-07:00GreenHeadz Regurgitations: As The Celtics Ponder The Future, Who Should Stay And Who Should Go?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlziHBw4KTLXp9JAdy-8-_Cznq1C3mCTrcfMMxnLrJpQlmWefAWR2kiEzhmOiit6cbVl4RVw_G9zUba5f5SMJ5dWqD8HGxxoeTYOdzSjlY7hd2AuUs0QbK3AUBJm90r-CrLuxgh1dtCY/s1600/Regugitations+test+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlziHBw4KTLXp9JAdy-8-_Cznq1C3mCTrcfMMxnLrJpQlmWefAWR2kiEzhmOiit6cbVl4RVw_G9zUba5f5SMJ5dWqD8HGxxoeTYOdzSjlY7hd2AuUs0QbK3AUBJm90r-CrLuxgh1dtCY/s400/Regugitations+test+2.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>The following post is the partial regurgitation of a story so good, we wish we wrote it ourselves! </em></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>Follow the link at the end to catch the full story where it lives.</em></span></strong></span></span><br />
<br /><em><span style="font-size: small;">(The Following Story Originated On ESPN's "Boston Celtics Report" And Was Written By Chris Forsberg)</span></em></strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Take 'em or leave 'em</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By Chris Forsberg <em>| ESPNBoston.com</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each year after the Celtics' season ends, we play a game of Take 'Em or Leave 'Em to determine which players the team should retain -- and which ones should be sent packing -- for next season. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Below are longer explanations for our decisions (sometimes five words just isn't enough to elaborate in the main piece). For the purpose of this year's exercise, we ran with the idea that the Celtics would bring back veterans </span><a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/662/paul-pierce"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paul Pierce</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/261/kevin-garnett"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kevin Garnett</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. While many have expressed a desire for Celtics president of basketball operations </span><a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3622/danny-ainge"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Danny Ainge</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to dismantle this roster, we subscribe to the notion that the shred-the-team path won't be particularly easy to do. That's not to say that Boston won't explore trade avenues before -- and during -- the 2013-14 season, it just seems that one of the clearer paths to roster turnover, while still remaining competitive, actually involves keeping the veteran core intact for season seven of a three-year plan.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You can read the rest of this insightful article by </span><a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4704945/take-em-or-leave-em#more" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">clicking here</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And, when you're done with that, take the "Take Em' Or Leave 'Em" poll either at ESPN.com or by </span><a href="http://espn.go.com/boston/polls?id=9246566" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">clicking here</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span>HeadzGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13800605903499072278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6375592439763665965.post-66702998710101613512013-05-03T22:50:00.000-07:002013-05-03T22:50:48.282-07:00Despite Insane 20-To-Nothing Rally, Celtics Fall Short As Season Concludes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's not that I didn't know this was a possibility, even a probability. But, I'm just not ready to write about this at all. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrrtGeBWHcoMo7Vo6no5eXHdi-dh7UFeC6JLrfzlpxzAoG55XI8AtvdA4VGJNWkDRAnOth0l3d5JFFBBTL-aQ5w-fyyuYvQ-hpriRuRTVceG8TU7_jPtndMOV1aXMRsAHNbJcLiLFo2I/s1600/Pierce+KG+Pat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrrtGeBWHcoMo7Vo6no5eXHdi-dh7UFeC6JLrfzlpxzAoG55XI8AtvdA4VGJNWkDRAnOth0l3d5JFFBBTL-aQ5w-fyyuYvQ-hpriRuRTVceG8TU7_jPtndMOV1aXMRsAHNbJcLiLFo2I/s320/Pierce+KG+Pat.jpg" width="320" /></a>There are stories about Paul Pierce having played his last game for Boston, Kevin Garnett maybe retiring...I'm just not ready to put it all into words right now, it sucks too much. How could we have lost like THAT to THIS team? I can't stand it.<br />
<strong></strong><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<strong>"I told them after the game that I couldn't be more proud of a group of guys who went through a ton of adversity all year with all the injuries."<br /><br /><em> - Celtics coach Doc Rivers</em> </strong></blockquote>
Me, too. These guys have been through a LOT. No excuses. But, they SHOULD be proud of themselves.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN21ffo5odfzikCeBsXTbVGxiGL7h81iweFbT1lRSZxCadgzzra_lL8hhr0_QquAZYWstmcOYfyGtrPmz11Dn6J4L47hCbpymoUj6CMt37SMjP9wErxv38EYQtnUMv1xJnudINKhfTQEo/s1600/Team+Photo+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN21ffo5odfzikCeBsXTbVGxiGL7h81iweFbT1lRSZxCadgzzra_lL8hhr0_QquAZYWstmcOYfyGtrPmz11Dn6J4L47hCbpymoUj6CMt37SMjP9wErxv38EYQtnUMv1xJnudINKhfTQEo/s400/Team+Photo+2013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Ah, well...I suppose I can take solace in the fact that they're about to get stomped...if not this round by the Indiana Pacers then DEFINITELY in the next one. Miami owes them some payback. <br />
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Look at that...am I really pulling for Miami now? Is that what it's come to?!?!<br />
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I really, REALLY don't want to write about this. I think I'm gonna need some time off before I clean out my blogging locker for the season.<br />
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<a href="http://www.nba.com/celtics/stats/boxscore_reader.html?gameid=20130503/NYKBOS" target="_blank">Box Score</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.nba.com/video/channels/playoffs/2013/05/03/0041200116-nyk-bos-recap.nba" target="_blank">Tale Of The Tape</a> (Yes, it IS worth it just to see the rally...but if it's too soon...)HeadzGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13800605903499072278noreply@blogger.com0