Another New NBA Rule

Posted on October 18, 2012 by christoph131

The NBA has made another new rule on top of the Anti-Flopping Rule put in place a few weeks ago. They have decided that teams take too long after team intro’s to get on the floor for the opening tip-off. The new rule states that all players have 90 seconds to get on to the floor and be ready, or will be assessed a delay of game penalty. Two of these will result in a technical foul before the game even begins.

They felt as though some people take too long, like Shaq a few seasons ago on the Suns when he would basically put on a play before the game started. The clock will countdown from 90 seconds. The Celtics have already been hit with one of these warnings in pre-season against the Knicks. This will force KG to pick up the pace a little bit on his pre-game rituals. Many players are starting to show disgust in this, saying it is pointless for the league to care that much.

What do you think?

Red Sox Manager Search

Posted on October 18, 2012 by christoph131

As the search for a Red Sox Manager continues, many people believe that the Sox have already interviewed their best option. Although most people want John Farrell, that is very unlikely due to the fact that he is still the head coach of the Blue Jays for one more season. So far, the team has interviewed four candidates:

LA Dodgers third-base coach Tim Wallach: 55 years old, played 3^rd base for 16 seasons, 5 time all star. He has only been a minor league head coach, but has been a hitting coach and third-base coach in the majors.

NY Yankees bench coach Tony Pena: 55 years old, played catcher for 18 seasons (with Sox from 1990-93), 5 time All-Star as a player, 2003 AL Manager of the Year

SD Padres special assistant Brad Ausmus: 43 years old, the only candidate without experience as a coach or manager. 1-time All-Star in 1999, 3-time Gold Glove winner.

Baltimore Orioles third-base coach DeMarlo Hale (Pictured): 51 years old, only played 4 seasons (split between Oakland and Boston), left the Sox when Francona did. He is the most popular choice of the candidates so far. He is known for his down-to-earth coaching style and knows how to treat and adapt to each player, unlike Bobby V did last season. He was a minor league coach in our organization for years as well, this guy could be the best choice to keep the job ‘in the family’.

Who do you think the Red Sox should choose as their next manager to rebound us from our horribly disappointing season?

C’s Sign Barbosa

Posted on October 17, 2012 by christoph131

Just as expected, the Celtics signed a veteran ball handler on Wednesday to back up Rajon Rondo. They inked Leandro Barbosa, a 9 year veteran. Barbosa has averaged 12.5 PPG and 2.4 APG over his career, but has never played with this kind of talent. Leandro is extremely fast combo guard, who can also play the shooting guard position. However, we are already very deep at that position with Jason Terry, Courtney Lee, and Avery Bradley when he returns.

Leandro Barbosa played the majority of his career in Phoenix when they were actually a good team. He is 29 years old and was selected 28^th overall by the Spurs in the 2003 draft. He should be a good fit because of his experience, but I wouldn’t expect much from him other than the ability to lead a fast break on a second unit that can already push the ball as it is. He will definitely find a spot on this team

Could You Be the Next Red Sox GM?

Posted on October 17, 2012 by jtulz07

With exception to the excitement surrounding the start of the Celts season, things have been a bit of a bummer around here lately, no more so than when someone brings up the Red Sox. This might help take your mind off it. The Boston Globe wants to put the fans to the test and see if you think you could be the next Red Sox GM. (Click HERE for Test)

Yeah I’m not thrilled with my score but what does Chad Finn know anyways? Oh well, I lost touch with the Sox early this year so I’ll chalk the B up as a win. Hopefully the lockout will end soon, the Pats will get back in the win column, the Yankees will be out of the playoffs roughly midnight tonight, and we won’t have to take fake tests to enjoy the Red Sox.

Link to Test: Do you think you could be the next Red Sox GM?

A New NBA Legend?

Posted on October 17, 2012 by christoph131

Guess whose drawing comparisons to top 50, hall of fame basketball player James Worthy? If you guessed Paul Pierce or Rajon Rondo, then you are wrong. The answer is Jeff Green. OK, so the nickname was said by Brian Scalabrine on Comcast SportsNet, but still, those are big shoes to fill. Green said on twitter: “I’ve got a message for Scal: You have to ask the great James Worthy if I’m able to have that nickname of James Worthy, because that’s a top 50, one of the greatest players to ever play this game, and for me to be called that, it’s an honor, but you have to ask his permission. So Tweet it, call him, email, whatever you need to do, because I don’t want to be called that without his permission.”

James Worthy is a 7 time all-star, 3 time NBA Champion, and former #1 draft pick. He also was an NCAA Champion at UNC in 1982. Big Game James averaged 17.6 PPG and 5.1 RPG over 12 seasons. He played his whole career for the Lakers during the Magic Johnson era. It is great that Scal wants to compare Green to a Laker great, but I think he needs a few championships first. Also, it is going to be tough to be compared to the great Worth because Green is not slated to start for the C’s this season. He started while he was in Oklahoma City, and was great, but his role is a little bit different with the Celtics.

Should championships always be a factor in determining great players’ legacies? Forget about the Jeff Green-James Worthy comparison for a minute. Kevin Love is one of the best players in the game today, and he will probably never win a championship, unless he is traded, which is unlikely. Charles Barkley never won a ring either.

Celtics Release Guards

Posted on October 17, 2012 by christoph131

As of yesterday before the Celtics 97-96 loss to the Nets (without the Net’s 6 best players), the Ainge and Doc decided to cut ties with training camp guards Dionte Christmas and Jamar Smith. Most expected Christmas to make the team, because of his half guaranteed deal worth over $236k. Also, because the Celtics lack a back up point guard. In the rare instance when Rondo does leave the floor, Jason Terry, Courtney Lee, and Avery Bradley (when healthy) can all handle the ball, but are not natural point guards.

It is possible that the C’s will look for a veteran ball handler with playoff experience to help the young guys and handle the ball for a few minutes a game, but if not, Rivers says they will be fine. Rivers joked in an interview with ESPN:

“Maybe the Heat will cut LeBron [James] or whoever,” he said. “We’re always looking. Every team is always looking. If nothing comes, does that bother us? No.”

The Celtics don’t have the money to spend on a big name, so we would need to find someone who wants to play for a contender and who can buy into the system that Doc Rivers has put in place that has attracted so many veterans over the years.

Hamilton Ready for B’s

Posted on October 17, 2012 by christoph131

According to Claude Julien, 19 year old defenseman Dougie Hamilton is ready for the NHL. Coach Julien went to see him play in the AHL and said that he belongs in the big leagues. He is a 6″5 defender who was drafted 9th overall by the Boston Bruins. He has Mcquaid’s size (not quite Chara’s), but is quicker and younger, and can do damage on both ends. “Dougie is such a big player and he’s gotten so much stronger”, said Julien. He will easily be in the top 6 for our defenders when (if) this lock out finally ends.

Non-Lockout NHL News

Posted on October 17, 2012 by christoph131

Although we are in a work stoppage for hockey, there has been some speculation of the NHL expanding. They’re not going into useless Maine or Montana or something, but into bigger markets. However, they are markets that most will probably not care about, in our neighbors to the north. They have been in talks to bring two new NHL teams to Canada (Quebec, and the Greater Toronto Area known as Markham). Keep in mind that Toronto already has the Maple Leafs up there, but with the popularity of the sport up there, it just might work. New York has multiple teams for virtually every sport and that seems to work out for them.

Could NHL Be Back?

Posted on October 16, 2012 by christoph131

The NHL has made an offer to the players’ union for a 50-50 split in all hockey related revenue. It is now on the players to decide if they think that this is a fair deal for everyone involved. There are many more stipulations than that, but as far as the lock-out goes, it is starting to look good. This offer was unexpected by just about everyone.

They said that they would play a full 82 game season and playoffs beginning November 2nd if the players accept relatively quick. This is a huge turn in the hockey world, one that just about everyone thought was never going to happen. By no means does this mean it’s over, but at least they are breaking ground!

Celtics Are Home

Posted on October 11, 2012 by christoph131

The Celtics are finally back in the country, after winning one and losing one overseas. To their defense, the starters played about 10 minutes or less in their loss. Rookie Forward Jared Sullinger played huge for the Celtics and is now possibly looking at a starter’s role in some cases. Doc Rivers stated to ESPN that he thinks he will have many starting line ups. The typical one will be Rondo, Lee (Bradley when he returns), Pierce, Bass, and Garnett. Another possibility could be Rondo, Terry, Pierce, Sullinger, and Garnett. He may even start Darko Milicic sometimes since he is surprisingly good at shutting down opposing big men, and moving KG back to his normal Power Forward position.

Let’s get back to Sullinger. The rookie has received a lot of praise for his play overseas. Typically, Rivers won’t let rookies see too much floor time. However, he says that Sullinger’s IQ makes him act like a veteran, not a rookie. He doesn’t get scared or rush things, he lets plays develop and puts himself in the best position to make a play for the team. His biggest role is going to be banging down low with the big guys, grabbing offensive rebounds (Celtics had the worst offensive rebounding percentage of ALL TIME last season), and putting the 2^nd chance points in the hoop. He is a decent defender but can score better than most. He is 6’9 and has long arms and a great mid-short range jumper. Rondo even dubbed him as “probably the smartest rookie we’ve had since I’ve been here”. Look for Jared Sullinger to have a big role on this older team this season.