CelticsBlog: FanPosts

Rondo Paul Aftermath

2009-11-06T19:22:10Z

Ray Allen wanted to set something straight.
Contrary to a report on Yahoo Sports, he insists he did not go into the Hornets' locker room to apologize to Paul for Rondo's actions.

"Chris was giving us an autographed jersey for the High Hopes Fund," said Allen of a diabetes charity with which he is involved. "Chris and I share the tie of being Brand Jordan athletes, so we're in contact.

"I did ask him, 'What was going on between the two of you on the floor?' and he said, 'It was just the two of us out there competing, that's all.'"

this is an excerpt from another article on yahoo. When I first read Wojronowski's article I could tell that he had made a lot of it up, as he does in almost all of his articles. He is overly dramatic and tries to make everything seem like earth shattering news. Although I could tell it was largely made up, I admit that I was still a little worried. The part about Ray going into the Hornet's dressing room to apologize on behalf of Rondo made it seem like the Celtics thought Rondo was in the wrong and acting immaturely.

Ubuntu means that every player should stand behind each other and have each others back in any circumstance. If ray had actually apologized on behalf of Rondo that clearly undermines that philosophy and shows that the Celtics were not able to support Rondo's actions.

I was really pleased to read this, and see that Wojranowski had fabricated that section of the article. In retrospect, it seems absurd that Ray would actually apologize on behalf of Rondo. It was Chris Paul who literally chased him down the tunnel, shouting at him and trying to intimidate Rondo who is a younger player. This was by far the most unsportsmanley part of their entire confrontation. Rondo chose the higher road and just kept walking, doing his best to ignore Paul. I think that shows maturity, as it would have been very easy for him to turn around and blow up at Paul, especially seeing as the C's had just won the game and he could have rubbed that in.

The things that Rondo said before the game about Paul not having a ring may have been immature, but I feel like we have only heard them out of context and it was probably part of healthy a competitive rivalry. Now that this whole ordeal is said and done, I think that it is clear that over dramatic reporters like Wojranowski made far to big a deal of this story. I dont think this incident shows anything about Rondo's maturity (or lack there of) or anything about the team chemistry. Ultimately, the team has stood by Rondo, and I love that we have a young point guard who is passionate, competitive, and confident enough to challenge the best PG in the league just 5 games into the season. All is well in Celtic's nation, and I think it is time to drop the Rondo immaturity discussion and give him a chance to prove himself.

Can the Celtics sign Lebron next year?

2009-11-06T15:48:19Z

Ok to begin I am no salary cap expert, but lets say next year the Celtics do not sign:

Ray Allen - that frees up $19 million

Scalabrine - that frees up $3.5 million

T. Allen - that frees up $2.5 million

Giddens - that frees up $1 million

and Pierce restructures his contract (like he said he is willing to do) - to free up $2 million.

Thats $28 million that comes off our teams salary and becomes available to sign Lebron.

I am not sure how Rondos new contract effects the rest of the teams payroll, but I think the rest of the roster would still be affordable (if that is Daniels and Williams are resigned and do not ask for outrageous contracts).

The roster for next year would look like this and would depend on if Pierce would accept for the good of the team moving to the bench to become a super sixth man.

RONDO, HOUSE, PERK, GARNETT, LEBRON.

HUDSON, DANIELS, RASHEED, WILLIAMS, PIERCE

WALKER, BABY

Thats not a bad team for next year and would also give us a young talented core of players for our future with Lebron, Rondo , Perk, Walker, Baby, Daniels, Hudson and Williams on the roster.

If the C's do all the above can they sign Lebron next year ?

If not what other roster moves would the C's have to do in order to obtain Lebron?

Also does anybody know if Lebron has hinted at all if he would like to play in Boston?

The Most Hated Jumpshot

2009-11-06T11:42:42Z

A topic of conversation since he joined the ballclub, Rajon Rondo's jumper has made Celtic fans all over the world lose their fillings (grinding your teeth does that.). This post is a quick look into the improvements our starting point has made.

We will not go into the exact details like amounts, percentages and spots, because we don't really need those to judge his shot. Rajon has been taking a few more of them at different times. His shot selection has improved a bit, and even though he's still hesitant every now and then, he's actually been more and more willing to pull up and fire. There's no real need to elaborate why it's imperative that he works on all of this, because by now everyone knows that our opponents seem willing to base their defense around forcing our quicksilver floor leader to take shots.

Luckily, he's improved a lot, though I'm not sure "luckily" is the right word for this. He has been training long and hard on this part of his game, and we're seeing the results. There's two major improvements that I've noticed, form and consistency.

First off, he doesn't look awkward anymore. Last season showed an embarrasing likeness to my little nephew when he took a jumpshot. Rajon's form was crooked, he was always off balance and the actual shot was some kind of spastic jerking motion, instead of a proper attempt at lobbing the ball through that iron loop. He's no Ray Allen -obviously- but at least right now he looks like he knows what he's doing when he hops and pulls the trigger.

Secondly, consistency. Since the start of the pre-season, it looks like he's shooting the same shot every single time. He used to have a whole repertoire of wacky, frog-like hops. Actually, some of the time he looked like a bunny, trying to avoid getting hit by a horde of stampeding rhinos (I'm sure this is a daily gig for bunnies around the globe.). But right now, he seems to have found a way to jump up straight, balanced and ready to shoot. If I'd have to carry on comparing to animals, I'd call him a grasshopper. He still has his arms at a slightly awkward angle, but it's identical every single time he pulls it off.

As I love to point out to the young guns at our basketball club, consistency is key to making buckets. Leave "inventing the wheel" time and time again to this league's Kobes, Anthonys and Iversons. If you become able to put up the same shot again and again, you will be shooting at a higher percentage. The infuriated infant (thanks Steve) is the living proof of this theory. We used to cringe when he took it, but by the end of last year he sank 'm as consistently as films sink the titanic.

So there ya go, Rondo; another compliment to boost that ego of yours.

We Slaughtered Them!

2009-11-06T03:34:30Z

Yo yo yo, wats up with that win against philly!

wat we did to them should have been deemed illegal!

[sorry a little late on the fact but despite this lucky ass victory against T'Wolves! the slaughter against philly will be freh in my mind i think for as long as i live?!][if u saw the game tell me wat u think!]

Since i was working untill 8 on the day of the game i rushed home in order to see it and when i saw the score at like 54 to 82 i flipped. i think i had to sit dwn and catch my breath now that should have been put in the records as a "clinic"

Red Claws Draft Results-Danny Ainge Makes a Cameo

2009-11-06T03:26:43Z

The Maine Red Claws, who earlier in the day announced the first player in team history, Billy Thomas from Kansas, took part in the D-League's draft, selecting 8 players from the available pool. Paul Harris, formerly of Syracuse was the first round selection (8th overall) of the team. The Red claws seemed to be looking for athletic shooters, as the tallest player they drafted was 6'8. Their Mr Irrelevant was Maine native Matt Clement (no, not the pitcher), who was most recently playing in Ireland. He played at Maine Maritime Academy, and in 2008 put his basketball career on hold for a bit when when he donated half of his liver to his ailing father. Danny Ainge was also on-site, and the audio from his interview is now posted for your listening pleasure, as he talks about the draft and the Celtics.

Rasheed!

2009-11-05T18:30:14Z

yo yo yo!

who believes that Rasheed Wallace was a great add to our team?

I DO!

Not only does his three pointers come in handy, but his rebounding game does as well!

For a big man, his jumpers from all around the arc as well as outside the arc is very beneficial!

Also, adding him to the roster alows some of our starters to get the rest that they need throughout importasnt games!

Also Doc Rivers also can have the confidence while his starters are sitting down, he knows that Rasheed Wallace will keep BOSTOn in the game!

LONG LIVE BOSTON CELTS!!!!!

(Speculation) Sam Smith says Lebron to Lakers

2009-11-05T12:46:33Z

This is my first post, so if it is in the wrong place, don’t shoot me for it. Please fell free to move or merge if necessary.

Sam Smith (author of the Jordan Rules) believes Lebron will go to L.A. Someone please tell me this is not for real! Tell me this has no chance of happening! I'll do it...I swear I’ll do it!

http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/smith_091102.html

Whew-that was a close call

2009-11-05T04:23:07Z

During the past two seasons, I followed he Timberwolves, right after the Celtics, of course, in order to see how they were doing; after all, most of the team consisted of former Celtics players. I would laughingly refer to them as the Boston Bees, meaning of course the Boston B squad, and I was pleased when our former players did well.

Tonight, the Bs almost did in our Cs, as it came down to the closing seconds when we managed to eke out a 92-90 win. A bit too close for comfort, from my point of view, as the Bs should not be in the same class as the Cs, on any given night. Credit Rondo for having a super game just when we really needed it.

What will become clearer as the season wears on, in my opinion, is that the only times the Cs are really going to be challenged will be in the second game of a back to back doubleheader, where travel from one city to the next will take place. Those will be the games that will provide the greatest challenge, particularly if the first game will be a tough one. Allen, Garnett, Wallace and even Pierce's legs don't have the same resiliency as younger players, and travelling does take its toll, particularly when there's a flight of a few hours involved.

Mark my words. The second game of a back to back will be the most dangerous of times for our Cs, and more so when that second game is an away game, without the emotional surge given by a supporting home crowd.

Lionel Gaffen/ Fotomix

Lygafe.

Celtics Playoff Tix - Available Now?

2009-11-05T02:32:31Z

can someone please tell me what's the deal with optionit (http://optionit.com)? can i really reserve face-value tix for the playoffs? seems pretty legit -- they are listed as a sponsor of the c's and seem to have deals with 3 nfl teams and the sharks in the nhl.

has anyone used it? curious to get thoughts? doesn't seem like they're doing a good job promoting it considering everyone i know hasn't heard about them. nonetheless, seems like a pretty cool concept (perhaps the best kept secret amongst celts fans)

Who is the better power forward - Williams, Baby or Scalabrine?

2009-11-03T14:59:59Z

I say Williams who was a lottery pick and a great player at Duke, is the better power forward out of the bunch.

I base this not only seeing him during his short time being a Celtic player but also during his days back in Duke and several years in the NBA.

I think (especially with his massive wing span) and better jumping ability he is a better:

1) Rebounder

2) Low post defender

3) Shot blocker

4) Low post offensive - around the rim finisher scorer.

.....Than either Baby or Scalabrine.

I think Williams is not as good a outside shooter compared to Scalabrine, but does seem to have a jumper equal to that of Baby's.

I also think since since Williams is still very young and a raw talent that with as time goes by and he is taught by Garnett, Rasheed (Perk also) he has the potential to get even better.

It is for these reasons I think Williams is a better power forward than Baby and Scal.

Does any one agree with me?

Rajon Rondo has an attitude problem!!!

2009-11-03T14:32:40Z

Ok guys before you bash me and hate me i just have to tell the truth rondo is becoming an arrogant player !!! He told chris Paul that he has a ring and that paul will never get one !! come on thats just bad and after the game rondo bumps chris paul whilt hes talking to pierce !! come on thats just bad i feel worried for the celtics they just extended his contract to 5years ..Ray allen even had the decency to go to the hornets locker room and say sorry on behalf of rondo's actions ray allen is getting fed up also even pierce understand cp3 . .cant believe rondo would stoop up to that i am a die hard celtics fan since the 80's ok but im starting to dislike rondos attitude !!

Efficient Pierece Picking his Spots

2009-11-03T12:54:10Z

When's the last time you saw Paul Pierce make a desperation drive? Times past, he could be counted on to make several desperation drives in traffic during the course of a game. Sometimes he made it work, get a bucket, get fouled, but often, a turnover or charge ensued. Now, the Captain is picking his spots. And doing it with killer efficiency. If he has a lane, he takes it, but he's just as apt to kill teams with pull-up jumpers and dagger threes, or hit the open man. The process started several seasons ago under Doc, gathered steam with the arrival of KG and Ray, but really seems to up to full speed this season. Dont have the numbers in from of me, but his shooting % seems to be up. And while he has been scoring at critical points in the first 5 games, he isnt doing it by demanding the ball and forcing the issue, but by reading the situation and finding open space. Relying on craft, he has become more efficient. As the Cavs and Hornets found out when Pierce turned on the guile down the stretch.

All my Philly friends could care less about the game tomorrow night. But I wanna go!!!

2009-11-03T05:07:25Z

This is my first post, I have been reading for a while though and this place is like heaven.

Sooo, None of my buddies will go to the game with me... Will I look like a loser going by myself? I just want to see the damn game. Or I dont know if theres gonna be a group of celtics fan floating around to hang out with. Once again, I am completely new to this. So just bare with me.

Can Paul Pierce win the MVP?

2009-11-03T04:27:36Z

Yes I know that Kobe, Wade, Howard and Bron Bron are the hot favourites but what if the C's finish with the best record in the NBA and PP is the best player on the team? KG should have won it in 08 but they decided to give a lifetime acheivement award (MVP) to Bryant instead. There's nobody around the league right now that deserves a lifetime acheivement award that has not won the MVP more than PP at this stage so why not give him an MVP if he posts good numbers (20ppg, 7rpg, 6apg) and leads his team to the best regular season record. They gave Nash and Dirk the MVP recently for doing it. Why not the Truth?

Rasheed? Really that good?

2009-11-02T01:08:35Z

Wallace came from the Pistons, as pretty much there star player.

Though the few games he has played with the Celtics, has he really been 'that' good? I mean, he has been a fantastic bench player for us, but I most definitely would not say he has done anything real special, considering how good he is meant to be. His defense seem scrappy and he tends to make a lot of amateur mistakes, which does cost the Celtics at times.

Am I wrong?

A GM's Guide to Lowballing Rondo

2009-10-31T21:55:29Z

An earlier version of this FanPost started as a comment in a forum thread but became so long, it makes more sense in this venue.

Bill Duffy, agent to the alien-handed, undeniably-talented Rajon Rondo, is working hard to get Rondo a contract extension. Watching the Bulls game last night, he must have loved hearing Hubie Brown wonder aloud why the Celtics hadn't already extended their point guard. As the media and fans follow the negotiations, the question most often asked is the one Duffy would love answered: "What's Rondo worth?"

But, on the other side of the negotiation, the Celtics and Danny Ainge are asking a slightly different question. "What do we have to pay to keep Rondo?" Players don't get paid what they're worth. They get paid what they can get paid. Brian Scalabrine isn't worth his contract. Kendrick Perkins is worth more than his.

If Rondo is asking for $12M per year, Ainge has to figure if there's any way he could end up commanding that next summer. Even if Rondo leads the league in assists this year or the Celtics go to the Finals and he gets loads of national exposure, I don't think there is.

Using Marc Stein's 2010 numbers published the other day, there are seven teams that *could* have about $12M to give away. The Clippers, Bulls, Wolves, and Nets make no sense as Rondo destinations because they've got elite point guards or, in the case of the Wolves, 19 point guards.

That leaves New York, Miami, and Oklahoma City. The Thunder didn't draft Ricky Rubio because they thought it would tick off Russell Westbrook and they think he's their solution at the point. So, if they do decide to spend their money in 2010, they'll likely do so on a front court player.

Leaving Rondo with two possible suitors: the Knicks and the Heat. Both will have a ton of money. And Rondo would be terrifying manning Mike D'Antoni's offense.

Assuming LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh all stay put and it's the second tier of free agents that cash in on the available money, would either of those teams offer Rondo more than he's asking right now?

The Knicks will be under incredible pressure to get a ticket seller and a cornerstone. If they whiff on the class of '03, Walsh could sell Amar'e Stoudemire or Carlos Boozer as that guy. I don't think he could sell Rondo as the Knickerbocker Jesus. Given all the hype, are Knicks fans going to be happy getting a franchise player who doesn't score? Especially as there will only be six other Knicks under contract? Maybe Walsh would pursue Rondo *after* he's got a big ticket seller, but that means he'd be offering closer to $8M or $9M per.

Miami makes some sense because, assuming they keep Wade, they've already got their marquee guy. (Wade handles the ball so much, I'm not sure Rondo's a great basketball fit, but let's ignore that for now.) The rumors coming out of South Beach all focus on the Heat obtaining a marquee big man. (Maybe, for some reason, they don't want to put their entire front court hopes in the hands of Beasley.) At this point, the bulk of their money seems earmarked to recruit Bosh, Boozer, or Stoudemire. Again, maybe Riley would turn to Rondo once he got his big man. But he'd have little left to offer.

Even if Riley or Walsh is interested in Rondo above all other players, number 9 will be a restricted free agent and, with the Celtics no doubt claiming they'll match, neither team will sign Rondo to an offer sheet and tie up their money for seven days until the marquee unrestricted free agents are sorted out. As long as other great players are available with no strings, for teams not based in Boston a UFA is a bird in hand and Rondo is two in a bush. Even if you sign him, you might not get.

Neither the Heat nor the Knicks will sit out the big-name feeding frenzy and hoard $12M-to-max money just to offer it to Rondo and then maybe not even get him. (Plus, I hear the kid has attitude problems. It was for this weekend's negotiation, I assume, that Ainge ragged on Rondo and tested his trade value this summer.) Either Miami or New York could sign Rondo to a sheet, but the chances that it will be more expensive than what the Celtics are willing to pay right now seem very slim.

Of course, this is all just wild speculation. But it's speculation Ainge and Duffy are also engaged in. If I was Ainge, I would see nothing about next summer that would compel me to move much beyond $10M per for Mr. Rondo's services. Rondo can sign that deal now or he can sign it next summer. It's up to him.

He might be worth more, but there's no reason to pay more.

Does a Williams emergence mean a Baby trade poackage with expirings?

2009-10-31T15:10:40Z

In 2007-08 Danny Ainge was awarded the NBA Executive of the Year for his wheeling and dealing the offseason before in attaining Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, James Posey and Eddie House and turning those acquisitions into Banner #17 for the Boston Celtics. In 2009-10, could Danny win another NBA Executive of the Year Award for his reloading of his team's bench with the signings of Rasheed Wallace, Marquis Daniels and Sheldon Williams. and the re-signing of Glen "Big Baby" Davis. And, interestingly enough, the piece de resistance of the offseason could be the addition of Williams, who, is playing so well early in the season due to playing time gifted to him from a broken thumb courtesy of Davis.

Why could the crowning jewel of Ainge's EOTY Award be Williams? Because if Sheldon Williams, a 26 year old former All-American Duke Blue Devil that was a 5th pick in the draft before having lots of trouble adjusting to the NBA, can continue to perform as well as he is in his role as backup power forward, that makes Big Baby expendable. Davis is already in hot water with the Celtics owner, Wyc Grousbeck, and Glen can call up Sebastion Telfair and ask him what happens to players in green that anger the C's owner. They end up ex-Celtic players, that's what.

So, if Williams can continue to shine in his role while, for the first time in his career, playing alongside established NBA stars and contributing with his rebounding, hustle, exceptional good rebounding, good court awareness, very good movement without the ball and pretty decent 15 foot jump shot, the reason he is so important to Danny's award is that now, instead of just having the expiring contracts of Tony Allen and Brian Scalabrine to trade away to obtain another cog for this year's stretch year and maybe future year's title, Danny now can add in the very good prospect of Glen Davis signed to a reasonable 2 year contract.

I believe this is important because even if Baby's contract is a Base Year Contract, making it a bit more difficult to deal him, he could be packaged with enough contract money to make his contract easily tradeable and now brings into focus an entirely different type of player into Danny Ainge's sights. With just expiring contracts in the form of end of the bench scrubs like Tony Allen, Scal, J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker, Danny was looking at the possibility of thinking that maybe it would be better to let them expire and free up some cash from lining the pockets of other teams due to the luxury tax. A package of those players was probably not going to bring back an awful lot. Now add in a promising player of Baby's talent who showed in the playoffs that he can contribute mightily, even if it might be that he was being left open because he was the fifth best player of the Celtics on the floor most of the time, and suddenly other doors for some real good NBA talent opens up.

Could this suddenly put the Celtics into the running for a player of Travis Outlaw's quality in a package with Portland? What about maybe Rudy Gay from Memphis or Stephen Jackson from Golden State? Is a package with Davis and the C's $7 million of expiring contract enough for teams looking to clear cap room and add a player and maybe with a first round pick, enough to land a player like Shane Battier or Tayshaun Prince or Jason Terry or James Posey? I don't have a firm answer for that but come December 15th, the date when it becomes possible for teams to trade recently signed players and a date when some teams can start making definitive answers about whether the are contenders or pretenders, I'm sure some answers will emerge and maybe, just maybe so will some very intriguing trade scenarios.

So is Williams good enough to supplant Davis while Davis mends and does his emergence then turn Danny's offseason additions into more than just Sheed, Marquis and Sheldon? Could we see a trade, mainly because Williams has shown the capability to lock down the backup PF spot, that could also net the Celtics that athletic, lock down SF they've been wanting and needing and maybe even something a little bit more. But the thought of adding Rasheed Wallace, Marquis Daniels, Sheldon Williams and __________(fill in the blank with any of the names above or someone I haven't mentioned) to the best starting five in the game and Eddie House is sounding like Banners 18 and 19 flapping in the rafters of the TD Garden to me.

Oh yeah, and very early congratulations go out early to the 2009-10 Executive of the Year, Danny Ainge, if he does pull off a trade like that!!

Celtic 3 Point Play game

2009-10-31T14:41:57Z

Hey- just thought I would let everyone I came across the Boston Celtic's facebook fan page and they made up a game for Celtic fans. I am not sure if it is new this year or what, but it is the Celtic 3 Point play, and you basically just pick three players and guess how they do in three stat categories (points, rebounds,assists). I have basically sucked it up in the game so far, but it's kinda fun, and I just thought others might want to try it.

Big Baby's Fight: Just a Tribute To Basketball Jesus?

2009-10-30T18:33:58Z

Glen "Big Baby" Davis is only 23 years old, and as his nickname implies, he's not the most mature of the Celtics. However, is what he did anything new? Not according to Dan Shaughnessy.

According to Dan the Man, Big Baby is nothing special. Athletes have been acting their age for years, and even his holiness Larry Joe had an ill advised adventure in amateur late night pugilism.

Per Shaughnessy's article:

t’s not a good situation. But let’s not throw Big Baby out with the bathwater. This stuff is as old as dirt. Young athletes have been doing goofy things at odd hours since before the days of the original Big Baby, George Herman Ruth.

It even happened to Larry Bird.

That’s right.

Larry Bird.

On the night of May 16, 1985, in the middle of the Eastern Conference finals between the Celtics and Sixers, Bird was involved in a scuffle that started at a now-defunct bar called Chelsea’s and spilled out to the corner of State Street and Merchant’s Row. After the altercation, Mike Harlow, a bartender/former Colgate football player, claimed he was sucker-punched by Bird. Nick Harris, a man who was with Bird and Quinn Buckner on the night of the incident, was treated at Massachusetts General Hospital’s emergency room that night.

There was a lawsuit and a settlement. The Celtics told Bird to stay away from Harris. None of the parties ever talked about it.

Ever.

First of all, if Larry Bird punched you in the mug, the correct response is 'thank you sir, may I have another'. If this thing called a 'Mike Harlow' would have had the foresight to make a cast of the four knuckle imprints on his face, he could have parlayed his late night encounter into a lucrative career as a novelties salesman, but that's neither here nor there.

Shaughnessy isn't just relying on a 'Mike Harlow" either. He's got a fairly famous source in the article.

In MacMullan’s new book, Bird says, "Max was out of shape when he came back. He didn’t do the rehab the way they asked. I was so pissed at him, because he was so good . . . He got his money, and he quit. I like Max, but that’s the bottom line.’’

"So it was all me?’’ Max said before the Celtics’ home opener Wednesday. "We got four Hall of Famers on the team, but the reason we didn’t win was all my fault? I must have been a beast!’’

He was laughing, but he was serious.

"Hey, we got a guy who gets his hand busted up in a barroom fight. That wasn’t me. But I’m never going to win this one. He’s Larry Bird!’’

Max has a point. Bird’s right index finger was badly swollen in the days after the fight. He claimed he injured it May 18 in a game at Philadelphia, two days after the fight. He shot 46 percent in the ’85 playoffs. In his other two MVP seasons, when the Celtics won the championship, he shot 52 percent each year.

So where does all this leave us? Let's assume the story is true as told, but where does it leave us? Baby was out at 4 am with his buddy, who was intoxicated. They got into a fight and now Baby is deep in the doghouse.

Bird gets into a bar-fight (well technically it's an 'out of bar fight') and the team settles and moves on. The team loses in the finals that year while Bird suffers through below par shooting and a supposedly (according to Danny Boy) swollen finger on his shooting hand. Bird gets a wrap from the newspaper on the nose and the team pays out to keep it quiet. Baby gets a broken finger (allegedly from the fight, but we all know Wyc did it in a fit of rage) and dragged through the papers, and apparently he is facing suspension. What can we learn from all this?

Well we can learn that first and foremost teams take care of their superstars. If Garnett had thrown a right hook at someone for saying salacious sentences about his lady, the team would rally behind him. Wyc would really behind him, because he's part of the face of the franchise, because he's Kevin Garnett, and the Kevin Garnett we all know from the TV commercials doesn't party until 4am and get in fights.

But there is a second lesson here which I think ought to be just as important. This isn't 1985. In 1985 the NBA wasn't clean cut. Compared to today's league, and the expectations from managment as well as fans regarding players' conduct, the league back then was a loosely organizated assortmant of ruffians and vagabonds. Go ahead and youtube "Mchale Rambis"..then youtube "rondo miller". You have to watch closely, the difference is subtle.

Thanks in part to public friendly (and image conscious or more likely image managed) players like Larry Bird, Majic Johnson, or Micheal Jordan, NBA players are expected to just be better. Better athletes, better looking, heck just overall better people.

So I guess before we get all rilied up about how Glen Davis was "only being 23", or how "Larry Bird even did it, let's not over react", maybe we ought to keep in mind that times have changed. It shouldn't surprise anyone that someone named "Basketball Jesus" could get away with a sucker punch in the wee hours of the morning over 20 years ago, but in the age of blogs, and face-space and my-book and that god foresaken thing called twitter, it shouldn't surprise us that Big Baby getting in a fight at 4am and sidelining himself for months is a big freakin deal.

On an Island: One newly relocated C's fan's experience

2009-10-29T21:37:47Z

“I should’ve been there last night.”

I kept repeating those words to myself last night and today. For the first time in 6 years, I wouldn’t be at the Garden watching the home opener in person. It was a tough feeling to swallow.

First, let me preface this with a bit of a background. Grew up in Massachusetts, went to school in Boston and remained in the area after graduating by setting up show shop in Somerville. Since college, I had gotten those mini-packs for the tickets. I finally was able to afford a full season ticket package following the dreadful ’06-07 campaign. I bought seasons with the anticipation of grabbing either Greg Oden or Kevin Durant in the ’07 NBA Draft. We all know what happened after that. Anyways, two seasons and one NBA Championship later, I found myself coming out of graduate school with my Masters degree but no job. I had went back to school full-time in hopes of advancing my career. However, no one told me that the economy was going to tank and the job market was going to get hit hard. I have toyed with the idea of relocation for some time now. It was always going to be Chicago, though. I decided to pull the trigger and give it a shot. One problem; I still own season tickets for the Celtics. Couldn’t give them up. No way. I still have it in my mind that I’ll be back in Boston, soon enough. I just have to get this relocation bug out of my system. So what I’ve done this season is take on my father as a partner as well as some friends and distributed the tickets. I still have final call on who gets what and when I am back at home, I’ll be back at the Garden.

So, I went online yesterday morning and hit up the usual websites; Celticsblog, Boston.com, the Herald, Bostonsportsmedia.com, etc… and all I find is “Home Opening Night is Finally Here!!!” and that’s when it hit me “Damn, I’m not going to be there.” Quite the wave of emotion gets over you. When you root for a team so hard for so many years, you grow an attachment to them. Living in the Boston area, I took for granted all the Celtics coverage and the ease to immerse yourself with the team. Now, living in Chicago, I realized no one out here shared my excitement. No one here cared that the Celtics were playing. You’re unable to get caught up in the grip of excitement among the community. You’re on an island. As a newly relocated individual, this is the first time I’ve had that feeling. Its not easy to take. I was able to record the game on DVR and watched it last night after coming home from a CPA review class I’m taking. Seeing Mike & Tommy was a sight for sore eyes and definitely brought me back to Boston for a few hours. It was like I never left. However, the images and sights and sounds of the crowd last night were definitely bittersweet. I wanted to be there, back in Sec. 311 with all the regulars, free t-shirt and all, yelling and screaming.

I’m sure that I’ll slowly grow accustomed to being out here and with the passing of more home games, my frustration of being so far away from the Celtics will subside a bit. I already got tickets for the Bulls-Celtics game out here in December and I’ll be back at the Garden during Thanksgiving time to catch a game or two. Anyways, just thought I’d share my experience as a newly relocated Celtics fan. Still, I keep repeating those words “I should’ve been there last night!”….