10 things written in 10 bourbon powered minutes

[Gant]

1) Rondo all star?

It probably won't happen though I'd put him on there. Peter Vecsey who hates everybody wrote that he'd put Rondo on the all star team too. Vecsey rates winning highly and chooses mostly Cavs, Celtics and Magic(s) as reserves in the East.


2) Why did the Celtics go 2-7?

One reason only: they simply ran out of gas. They played a front loaded schedule filled with back to backs and went from a full sprint to group-hug collapse all in one motion. Everybody just died together. Ubuntu.

The 19 game winning streak delayed what was an overdue dialing down of intensity. They just could not maintain that maniacal energy expenditure any more, and when the balloon popped on Christmas it took a little while to blow up again...


3) Playing great once more

...but now the Celtics are playing some stellar ball. That Dallas game was a real wire to wire whooping. The rest of the schedule is nicely spread apart and the team should benefit. Only the upcoming western trip is tough. After that it should be a lot of easy grazing for the guys in green.


4) Gerald?

How deeply buried is Gerald Green? That last game was such a mismatch Rick Carlisle could've put his 8-12th men in the game midway through the 3rd and no one would have objected. But Gerald didn't get off the Dallas pine. I'm starting to think he deserved to slide to the 18th pick. Or 28th. Or 38th. Or 48th. Or 58th. Or more.


5) Marbury

There's a wacky guy for you. Why oh why does he just not shut up if he wants out?


6) Ray and Eddie

These two are not your every day, down at the Y shooters. Recently they've both been hot- maybe for the first time for an extended period. You take Ray out and put in Eddie and they both can't miss... well that must be against the Geneva Convention.


7) They call him Baby

Big Baby lives! I said this before but since I was right I'm repeating it: What makes Glen Davis special is his magic feet. He came into camp slow and seemingly out of shape (relatively speaking). Now his conditioning has improved and the dazzling tootsies are back in all their nimble glory. Baby is moving well, playing well, and contributing mightily to recent wins.

Never judge a player when he's injured or out of shape (unless he'll never recover).


8) Depth chart

This has knocked Leon Powe down the depth chart. Do not fear though, Leon shall return to form.


9) Scalabrine

OK raise your hand if you never doubted Brian Scalabrine's ability. He's playing his best ball since he was catching passes from Jason Kidd, and was undefeated as a starter filling in for Perkins. He's got his confidence back and is now all he can be.

What more can you ask of a guy?


10) More on Rondo

I'm bookending this with more Rondo. In a little over a week Rondo just steamrolled Kidd, destroyed Nash, obliterated Devin Harris, and outplayed Jameer Nelson. In the Dallas game he was knocking down his jumper. (When the jumper arrives, it's over. No one will be able to cover him.)

Rondo is a big time talent on his way to many all star games, if not his year then certainly next season and beyond.

[Scalamental]

Bourbon powered, I like that. I was almost insulted by #6 but I forgot I work out/play at a bsc now. Which is similar to an nba level hot streak.

[Gant]

11. T-Wolves

I forgot. (Stupid delicious bourbon.) Minnesota has the best record in the league in January. Way to go Big Al, Gomes, and Kevin McHale!

[Jammer]

Hi Gant -

1. You'll probably have a lighter hangover from Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila
than your beloved Bourbon.

You can also try Vodka,
and I'm told Bombay Sapphire Gin is easy on the head the next day.

But Bourbon, well, that's almost as bad as Scotch or Whiskey.
I once had 160 proof Bourbon. Now that's high octane.

2. Rondo has destroyed Harris everytime since Harris arrived in New Jersey.
Peter Vecsey is my favorite NBA writer, and he's been doing it since 1966.
His criteria for only players from winning teams eliminates
Danny Granger, Devin Harris, Andre Iguadala, Vince Carter.

He also favors repeat performers over newcomers,
which means Rashard Lewis over Jameer Nelson.

Going with Peter's criteria for winning teams (over 0.500 record)
and repeat performers (versus new kids on the block)
by the way, Rondo's a repeat performer since the Celtics won the prize last year:

Rondo I'm convinced is the best point guard in the East.
Pierce is the man for the Celtics,
but Ray Allen is playing phenomenal individual defense thru 46 games,
I didn't think that Ray had that kind of individual D in him. He's probably the most
underrated Celtic right now.

I think a case can be made for 4 Celtics, though I expect 3.

Too bad Iverson wastes a spot.

Unfortunately Vecsey forgot one criteria for coaches ballots.
Coaches must vote for 1 center, 2 guards and 2 forwards, plus 2 more of anything.

Since Bosh is a forward, Illgauskas will be the backup center.
I do think Orlando will get one more player, but not 2.
I suspect Lewis over Nelson.
Joe Johnson will be there.

It will be interesting.

[Gant]

Well I don't drink enough to get a hangover, just enough to become convivial. However it would impolite of me not to try a recommended tequila. Thank you.

I agree. Rondo is the best point guard in the East.

[Gant]

Well I don't drink enough to get a hangover, just enough to become convivial. However it would impolite of me not to try a recommended tequila. Thank you.

I agree. Rondo is the best point guard in the East.

[Mahoney_jr]

on 9

*raisehand*

I'm glad Scal is earning his pay check. Even though I always knew he's overpaid I thought of him as a true celtic and valuable 12 th guy (defense, floor spacing). Right know he's playing like a regular 8th guy, which is more I expected but it's great to see.

[cisco]

on 9

*raisehand*

I'm glad Scal is earning his pay check. Even though I always knew he's overpaid I thought of him as a true celtic and valuable 12 th guy (defense, floor spacing). Right know he's playing like a regular 8th guy, which is more I expected but it's great to see.

Agreed. I wanted to say something similar about Scal.