10 things about the playoffs so far

[Gant]

1) That Toddlin Town

Before commenting on anything else I have a few choice words on the Chicago series and to the wonderful basketball fans of that great metropolitan area: QUIT WHINING! (You bunch of babies.)

It was a fantastic series of historic splendor marred only by your constant sniffling about referee bias and rough play by those terribly mean Celtics. Boo-freakin'-hoo. The Bulls played great. They lost. The refs didn't beat your team; the Celtics did.

I can see why they call Chicago "the whiny city."


2) Now Orlando

Not to be outdone, the good residents of the Magic Kingdom seem to wish to repeat this unseemly whimpering.

Last night Orlando outshot Boston from the free throw line 37 to 25; the refs called early fouls on Paul Pierce effectively taking him out of the game; and many Magic followers complain about bias FOR the Celtics?

Stop right now before you stoop all the way down to Chicago level.


3) Crazy Old Rafer

Admit it, you were surprised Rafer Alston made it through six quarters without doing something completely insane. Then WHAP! he smacks Eddie House on the noggin after a basket, filmed from five different angles, for no reason, accomplishing nothing, and possibly getting himself suspended.

What took him so long?


5) Scal

Nothing makes the loss of Kevin Garnett and Leon Powe easy to swallow but Scal is doing all he can. With Scalabrine in the rotation, the holes in the defense are sealed. Plus he's knocking down some shots.

You know I was a critic of signing Scal way back when but now I see what Danny was doing. I'm sorry Scal. You're the man. I apologize. What was I thinking?


6) Rondo

All season long you've read comments from the national legion of dumbness saying: "Rondo only gets his stats because of Garnett." "Rondo's a scrub." "Calderon's better that Rondo." "Duhon's as good as Rondo." "Rondo wouldn't be anything on another team." ...and so on.

I do not believe I have ever seen a player open a larger can of Shut Up. All that talk of Rondo not being able to play has been replaced by pure hatred of him...

...and in the world of basketball fandom isn't seething hatred the biggest compliment of all?


7) An Announcing Oddity

I've noticed in these playoffs that many members of the media, particularly announcers on ESPN and TNT have taken to using the phrase, "Scoring The Basketball," as in "Ray Allen's really scoring the basketball tonight."

Even in an increasingly confusing world, I find this phrase a real stumper. It's kinda redundant isn't it? Scoring the basketball? Is there something else you could put through the net to get points in this sport?


8) Midseason Acquisitions

Last year it was Sam and PJ. This year it's Mikki and Steph. Both years it's been a mixed bag.

Marbury's starting to contribute, but Moore hasn't done well enough and has lost his spot in a decimated rotation already down two big men. There's still time for him to turn it around but he's not looking good so far.


9) Garnett

The big fella still hasn't had his operation and yesterday on WEEI Danny Ainge once again stated there's a small chance Garnett could return if the Celtics make it to the Conference Finals or maybe the final Finals.

From Bill Doyle in the Worcester Telegram: "Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge told WEEI yesterday Garnett might be able to play if the team reaches the Eastern Conference finals or the NBA Finals, but he wasn't counting on it because Garnett still is limping. Ainge said Garnett's return would be based on how much pain he could withstand. The decision would be up to him and the team doctor."

Hmm. I don't know what to think...

Wait, yes I do: GO SCAL!


10) Seeds Of Hope

It's kind of a shame the Celtics couldn't have somehow gotten the number one seed, because the Magic might have been able to take out Cleveland giving the Celtics a downward slope to the final Finals. Still the Cavs earned their favorable road.

I do know this though: The Celtics are not done yet. There are eight teams left and Boston is one of them. As long as they're alive there's hope.

[MyInsatiableOne]

Been a while since we've had one, Gant...nice job.

I agree on Alston...I've hated him from his Houston days. While it was a weak move and really of no consequence, I don't see how he doesn't get suspended just so the NBA can stay consistent.

[DieselCeltic]

We will suspend them all in a few days.

[LenBiasBaller]

Great post Gant!

After watching the Lakers and Cavs this year it makes me realize more and more that if we were at full strength we would have taken it all again this year.

Perk and Rondo's improvements alone have been unreal. Add a low post scoring threat in Powe off the bench with Marbury, House, etc. and it would have been crazy.

I think we are better than the Magic. They don't play with the heart that the Bulls have or the intensity. During this series it was odd to me at first how guys were getting layups wide open with clear lanes. We didn't see that during the bulls series.

[MyInsatiableOne]

Great post Gant!

After watching the Lakers and Cavs this year it makes me realize more and more that if we were at full strength we would have taken it all again this year.

Perk and Rondo's improvements alone have been unreal. Add a low post scoring threat in Powe off the bench with Marbury, House, etc. and it would have been crazy.

We are better than the Magic. They don't play with the heart that the Bulls have or the intensity. During this series it was odd to me at first how guys were getting layups wide open with clear lanes. We didn't see that during the bulls series.

Fixed. We 100% *are* better than the Tragic...even without KG. With him it isn't even close...

[Gant]

Been a while since we've had one, Gant...nice job.

I agree on Alston...I've hated him from his Houston days. While it was a weak move and really of no consequence, I don't see how he doesn't get suspended just so the NBA can stay consistent.

It has been a while. I got stunned by the loss of Garnett, then paralyzed by the Chicago series. I think the Celtics will advance beyond Orlando though.

Stan Van Gundy makes me laugh. Every time he yells at his players (which is constantly) I chuckle. I don't know why. He's funny.

[MyInsatiableOne]

Been a while since we've had one, Gant...nice job.

I agree on Alston...I've hated him from his Houston days. While it was a weak move and really of no consequence, I don't see how he doesn't get suspended just so the NBA can stay consistent.

It has been a while. I got stunned by the loss of Garnett, then paralyzed by the Chicago series. I think the Celtics will advance beyond Orlando though.

Stan Van Gundy makes me laugh. Every time he yells at his players (which is constantly) I chuckle. I don't know why. He's funny.

Maybe because he's a dead ringer for Ron Jeremy? And he's a very insecure coach, just like his players...

[Cyclical]

7) An Announcing Oddity

I've noticed in these playoffs that many members of the media, particularly announcers on ESPN and TNT have taken to using the phrase, "Scoring The Basketball," as in "Ray Allen's really scoring the basketball tonight."

Even in an increasingly confusing world, I find this phrase a real stumper. It's kinda redundant isnt' it? Scoring the basketball? Is there something else you could put through the net to get points in this sport?

First off, great job as always Gant. As for point 7 - I've posted this as a pet peeve on this board a few times before but no one seems to care... Hubie Brown started this trend a few years back - he's always said "score the ball". My friends and I used to have a drinking game back in the day where you have to take one every time he said it and without fail we were drunk at the end of every game. I'm too old to play it these days. My body would just give out on me. ESPN announcers started incorporating this into their lingo 2 seasons ago and in this copycat environment it has caught on like wildfire. Ridiculous. He shoots. He scores. The ball.

[elrod enchilada]

Another speech oddity akin to "scoring the basketball" is "run the floor," as in: "Kevin Garnett can really run the floor for a 7 footer."

What the hell else is going to run? The wall? The ceiling?

[AlCelticFan]

Or "in this league"...

As in:

"He's a great player... in this league"

...

I think the announcers just need more words to fill the empty space up with.

[SeizeCoup]

Great stuff Gant.

[Gant]

Great stuff Gant.

My old pal CalderCup! Welcome back Calder.

[SeizeCoup]

Great stuff Gant.

My old pal CalderCup! Welcome back Calder.

thanks, I stop by every once in a while to lurk and check whatitdo around here. Haven't been an active contributor in a while though.

Was at the game last night and took some pics with my cameraphone, will post those later on this evening if i get a chance.

[Celtics_Champs]

Do it up calder, I've always enjoyed your C's photoblogs.