All The Celtic Glory

The opening tipoff of Game 2 of the 2008 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers at the TD Banknorth Garden. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In 2007 the Boston Celtics were a reeling franchise. They were coming off back-to-back brutal seasons in which they finished a combined 50 games under .500. After finishing dead last in the East in the ’06-’07, Celtics GM Danny Ainge made drastic moves completely altering the state of the franchise by totally reenergizing it. By bringing in stars Ray Allen from Seattle and Kevin Garnett from Minnesota to join star Paul Pierce, Ainge had announced one thing: The Celtics were back.

These blockbuster moves immediately paid off as the C’s won 66 games, the first time Boston had done that since they won 67 games in the ’85-’86 campaign. The playoffs were a wild, but fun ride for Celtics fans as the team played three straight 7-game series against the Hawks,Cavs and Pistons before finally reaching the NBA Finals. Their opponent? Hated rival, Los Angeles. But the Celtics won the series with relative ease in six games and the Larry O’Brien trophy was back in what many consider it’s rightful place, Boston. That would be the franchise’s 17th title, giving them one more than the hated Lakers.

Unfortunately over the next few years the Big Three-led Celtics could never raise the trophy O’Brien trophy again. They returned to the Finals in ’10 only to watch the Lakers raise a banner this time. Many people say that if center Kendrick Perkins hadn’t gotten hurt in Game 6 of that series, the Celtics would have notched their 18th championship. Smatterings of over great moments came out of the Big Three, but never again would they have that ultimate moment, one KG left engraved in our minds forever. You had the epic first round matchup between the Bulls and Celtics in ’09, which was perfectly encapsulated by Pierce’s classic game winning shot in overtime of Game 5. Another great moment in that series, even though it came in a loss, was Allen’s 51-point game in Game 6, of course it was another crazy overtime contest. Allen’s record setting eight threes in a Game 2 victory in the 2010 Finals was also absolutely amazing. Probably the most surprising of all the great moments of the past seven years was Rondo’s 44-point game in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals last year. It was hard to imagine Rondo scoring more than 30 on most nights. To many this was considered his coming out party  in terms of becoming a better all-around player. There may just be too many great memories to count.

Yet as we sit here on what seems to be the verge of the end of this Celtics era (down to 3-0 to the Knicks), how do we look back on these guys and these teams? Do we consider them a great success? They did win a title and did truly restore the Celtics pride that had been lacking for so many years when Antoine Walker and co. were here. Or do we consider them somewhat of a failure? Only one title in seven years with such phenomenal teams? That isn’t the greatest percentage. Either way it’s undeniable how meaningful Garnett, Allen and Pierce were to this organization and to this city. They restored basketball in a city that was pretty much built on the sport. Actually they were a major part of the restoration of NBA as a whole. The teaming up of this “Big Three” really made the NBA a likable league again and that’s something we can never take away from them.

 

The Best NBA Commercial You Will Ever See

I think it’s appropriate, with the playoffs upon us, to show this riveting NBA commercial. This was released by TNT on opening day of the NBA season last year before the Christmas Day game between the Knicks and Celtics. I can’t say I’ve ever seen a NBA produced item more dramatic, inspiring and awesome than this one they put out last year. It has the perfect mixed of emotion and creativity that makes a phenomenal sports commercial. The edits of the past and present players together is almost seamless and their choice of players in each video is spot on. Cue the chills.

 

Dethroning The Heat

Let’s face it, the Heat are the best team in the NBA. Try and argue otherwise and you’re going to have to pull out some wild statistics in order to best that argument. But as we know is sports, anything can happen and the Heat don’t escape that category. So I decided to ask some Boston University students what their thoughts were on the Heat in the context of history, as well as which team has the best shot to beat them in both the Eastern and Western Conferences. Enjoy.

Kevin Durant’s MVP Season Will go for Naught

Listen to this stat: Kevin Durant leads the in scoring yet he doesn’t lead his team in field goal attempts.

Now think about that. Insanely efficient right? That’s been Kevin Durant’s season this year; undoubtedly an MVP-like campaign. He’s shooting 50.5% from the field, 41% from three and 90.8% from the charity stripe. The guy is scoring the basketball with such versatility and such proficiency that he may become only the sixth player to join the exclusive 50-40-90 percentage club. Unfortunately for Durant, these efficient numbers won’t be able to garner him this year’s MVP, not when LeBron James is still in his prime.

If James stays healthy he should easily win the MVP for the next 3 or 4 years, barring some other weird non-injury related scenario like LeBron leaving to go play in the NFL. That’s where Durant will be denied his chance to make the NBA his. He’s clearly the second best player in the league, but he’s a distant second to LeBron.

The only way Durant can match LeBron this year is if he beats him. Of course, both of these guys would presumably take collective gold over individual glory, but both of them deserve the MVP. It’s just that LeBron’s athleticism and talent enable him to do things that no one else would even attempt such as guarding both a point guard and a center in the same game. Put it like this, Kevin Durant is the best player on the planet and LeBron James is the best player in the universe.

An interesting way to look at this is how will Durant react this time if the Heat and Thunder meet in the NBA Finals. As a whole, the Thunder probably have more talent, but the trio of Chris Bosh, LeBron and Dwyane Wade are unstoppable. Last time the Heat showed their experience, flexing their muscle in five games versus a less experienced Oklahoma City. Maybe LeBron’s dominance will inspire Durant and push him to another level. But this situation, both this season and for the next few years, is similar to the way Michael Jordan stood in Patrick Ewing’s way in the 90s. The only time Ewing ever made the Finals during Jordan’s prime years was when M.J. took a hiatus to play baseball.

I just hope Durant can get at least one while LeBron’s on top, right now it looks unlikely.

The Mecca of Basketball

Madison Square Garden has widely been considered one of the best places to watch a sporting event, or any event for that matter. One of its nickname is the “The World’s Most Famous Arena,” a name quite fitting when you enter its storied confines. The teams that play there don’t always have the most success, but plenty of memorable moments in the NBA and NHL have occurred there. I stepped foot into the Mecca of Basketball on Saturday for a Knicks, Raptors game and it fostered some great memories for me.

The Art of a Throwback NBA Jersey

One of the most sought after pieces of sports apparel is a throwback NBA jersey. There is something about the nostalgia of an exciting player and a unique jersey style that intrigues people from every generation. Very often when you walk the beach or you walk the town in the summer time, you’ll see teenagers wearing NBA jerseys from the ’70s or 20 year olds wearing jerseys in the ’90s, a decade they were only children for. Here I’ll breakdown some of the common throwback jerseys and compare and contrast a jersey from each decade.

(2000s)-While the New Orleans Hornets jersey is a few years old, this is a pretty good depiction of the modern NBA jersey. New Orleans brings a few unique colors together like teal, purple and yellow to combine a flashy jersey. The Bulls on the other hand haven’t really diverted from their standard 90s jerseys.

(2000s College)- It’s much harder to get your hands on a throwback college jersey than a NBA jersey. UNC and UCLA represent some of the most classic and desired college jerseys ever. These jerseys were worn by NBA playrs Ty Lawson (5) and Jrue Holiday (21)

(All Star Jersey-1995)- This All-Star jersey is one of the most unique and interesting jerseys ever created. The game was played in Phoenix and the jersey represent the city well. This is an ABSOLUTE must have for throwback jersey lovers.

(1990s)- The Knicks didn’t change much from their earlier days, continuing with the vibrant orange color as an emphasis on “New York.” Utah, on the other hand added some flash to their classic jersey style, but incorporating new colors in the ball that finishes of the “J.”

(1980s)- For the Lakers, not much has changed in the jerseys over the years, though the lettering is a little different now a days. But for Hawks these are one of their most classic and sought-after jerseys ever. They bring a cool, but not over-the-top style that makes jersey lovers salivate.

(1970s)- This Bill Walton, Portland Trailblazers jerseys is one of the few 1970s jerseys that people clamor over. In that era, style still wasn’t on the forefront of everyone’s mind, but Portland’s jersey with the writing down the side were quite exciting.

Recapping the NBA Trade Deadline

Over the past few years the NBA Trade Deadline has usually packed a punch. Two years ago the Knicks acquired superstar Carmelo Anthony and the Nets traded for star Deron Williams. Last year multiple trades included big names such as Stephen Jackson, Gerald Wallace and Nene, practically spoiling us for this season. However, Thursday’s trade deadline came up as a big dud with J.J. Redick probably being the biggest name moved. It’s unfortunate that more stars weren’t moved, but it definitely makes this offseason even more exciting for us fans.

Personally, I think the Celtics made the best move acquiring an interesting player in Jordan Crawford from the Wizards for Leandro Barbosa’s torn ACL and expiring contract. Even though this will cost them in the long run, it certainly makes this Celtics team better. I’m interested to see just how far they go.

Check out this storify giving you an all-around recap of Thursday’s deadline including analysis and reaction.

http://storify.com/quatr/recapping-the-nba-trade-deadline

The Best All-Star Gamer Ever?

I think it’s pretty interesting that the only All-Star Game that is factored into your career numbers is the NBA ‘s. All of the league’s greats over the years have not only played in the All-Star Game, but dominated it as well. Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan are universally known as some of the greatest All-Star performers ever, but are they the best? Check out LeBron’s numbers on this chart, he’s played in five less games then the other two, but he’s dominated every single one aside from his rookie year, no slipups. If LeBron goes off tonight, it’ll be interesting to see if the Jordan comparisons grow even more.

Should these Stars be moved?

The Trade Deadline is eight days away and the phones are ringing off the hook in the offices of the Lakers, Hawks, Celtics, Magic and Bulls. Some star players have emerged on the rumor mill as potential trade pieces as they always do. Here’s my take on whether or not these five players should be moved.

Pau Gasol

The Buss family would be idiotic to let this guy go. He may not be playing the best ball of his career, but it’s more because coach Mike D’Antoni is stunting his growth than his own lack of success. Dwight Howard should go at the end of the season and Gasol should assume the role of starting center. The 32-year-old almost singlehandedly beat the U.S. this year in the Olympics and has truly come into his own. Kobe Bryant also vehemently supports Gasol and anything that makes Kobe angry is something you want to avoid.

Verdict: Don’t Trade Him

Josh Smith

Let me first write off this notion that Dwight Howard might come to Atlanta in the offseason because he’s Smith’s teammate and from the Atlanta area. Dwight has stated several times that he has no interest in Atlanta and I realize that we can’t trust a thing Dwight says, but I believe that fully. Anyways, Smith is playing some of the best and most responsible basketball of his career. It’s still understood that his decision making still is a little erratic, but it’s hard to think of a team letting go of this much athleticism and defensive prowess.

Verdict: Don’t Trade Him

Paul Pierce

This is a hard one because Pierce still has a couple years of elite basketball left in him. He’s looked a little rickety here and there, but in this last seven-game winning streak he’s been the old Paul Pierce we know. I’m not sure dumping him for picks and or a player with potential is really the move, but if you get a guy like Danny Granger in a deal then you have to do it. Despite the 7-1 success without Rondo, this Celtics train will be hard pressed to get out of the first round.

Verdict: Trade Him For the Right Deal

J.J. Redick

Orlando is going nowhere this season, actually they’re probably going backwards. Redick’s value as a perimeter shooter should have teams all over him. Plus he’ll be $6 million coming off the books, so the Magic should definitely pull the trigger on this to get picks and or young pieces to build around.

Verdict: Trade him

Carlos Boozer

Boozer is playing some really good ball right now both on the glass and on the offensive end, but he doesn’t bring it on the defensive end like coach Tom Thibodeau wants. The biggest issue with Boozer is ugly contract which would be amazing for the Bulls if they could move it. Getting something good out of a deal that gets rid of that hideous contract would really be a steal for them. Plus Thibs would be a lot happier not having that dead weight playing defense.

Verdict: TRADE HIM

Kevin Garnett Would Transform the Clippers from “Pretenders” into “Contenders

Kevin Garnett could change the Clippers for the better (Photo credit: Aaron Frutman)

For most of the duration of the Clippers 17-game winning streak earlier this season people were ready to crown them champs. How could you blame them? They looked easily like the best team in the league equipped with a plethora of depth, suffocating defense and scintillatingly efficient offense. But as we’ve watched Los Angeles come back to life losing 11 of its last 21 games, a clear weakness has emerged; the Clippers big men are mentally soft.

Don’t mistake “soft” for “not talented.” Both Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan can play, we know that, we’ve seen it with our own eyes. We were sitting in the front row for the Blake and D.J. show during that 17-game winning streak as they were catching alley oops from all over the place. But when things get rough and the ball game gets chippy, the Clippers big men fold faster than a plastic chair. If the Clippers want to contend with the Spurs, Thunder or even the streaking Nuggets, they need to get tougher mentally. Fortunately for them, there’s an opportunity out there  to shed the soft label and although it might come with a price, it truly could be worth it.

An offer has appeared in the trade rumors that the Celtics would certainly entertain the offer of Drew Bledsoe and DeAndre Jordan for Kevin Garnett. If this rumor garners any truth, Clippers fans should be jumping out of their seats. I understand that Bledsoe and Jordan have an combined upside that could explode through the roof of the Staples Center, but upside is just hype. Kevin Garnett is for real. He isn’t just a great talent on the court, but he is a locker room game changer. We saw how Garnett turned the clock back on the Celtics and turned them into the rugged, winning team that brought Boston it’s 18th championship five years ago. He could completely alter this team’s attitude for the better and I think it would be the last piece to a championship puzzle.

If you’re worried about your future Clippers fans, listen to this. Look at what Garnett did for Jared Sullinger before he went down with that back injury; he turned him into a no-joke big man in only four months. Now just imagine what he could do for Griffin? Everyone is saying Blake’s soft and that until he sheds that image, the Clippers will be pretenders. Well, K.G. would transform Griffin into that mentally tough big man that they desperately need.

The Clippers are good now and will be good for a while. But if they acquire Garnett they’ll be great now and great for a while.