Boston Sports Then and Now

Let me begin by saying that I love NBA Basketball, especially the playoffs. The game is faster, more physical and the stakes are much higher. That being said I believe that the NBA has a fantastic tool that they are not using to it’s fullest potential. The NBA Development League or D-League for short.

For those that don’t know the D-league features 16 teams from around the country, all of which have at least one NBA parent team, and four of their teams have four parent teams. My own personal experience with the D-League began in the 2009-2010 season which coincided with the first year of the Maine RedClaws. I worked at 96.3 FM in Portland, Maine as one of the producers and Board operators. So for two seasons I saw and heard virtually every minute of every game. I kept thinking to myself that this was a great product, and wondered why the NBA wasn’t using it as more of a tool.

It’s not as though the D-League isn’t putting players into the NBA, quite the opposite actually. This season alone one hundred and thirty two NBA players have D-League experience. So in that aspect the D-League is doing a fine job.

The NBA has made a few changes over the years to help their teams to use the D-League more effectively, in December of 2011 as part of the new collective bargaining agreement NBA teams are allowed to assign veteran players to their D-League affiliate with their permission. Then in 2012 it was announced that NBA teams would be allowed to assign players with less than three years experience to their D-League affiliate with no limits on the number of assignments. Both good rules in my opinion.

However there is something I would love to see that has no chance of ever happening. I would like to see the NBA eliminate the one year college rule. I would propose that the NBA add a third round to their entry draft and allow High school seniors to declare for the draft. In the third round NBA teams would have the option of picking a high school player or a college player.

Here’s where it gets interesting. If an NBA team picks a high school senior, that player would join the NBA union at a fair rookie pay scale, and be assigned to the D-League for at least one full season. Here are the advantages, First the NBA and D-League team get a marketing tool, someone to draw crowds to the D-League games and a player to look forward to at the NBA level. The player would get pro coaching as he would be allowed to attend NBA training camp.
At the end of one year of service time the NBA team would have a choice of adding the player to the pro roster, trading the player or allowing the player to re-enter the NBA draft where he would be available to every team.

The player would also benefit from playing a full 50 game schedule so he would be less likely to hit the rookie wall when he does get to the NBA.

I know this will never happen, it’s just my thoughts.

April means the start of another MLB season.

While March may sometimes come in like a lamb, when it comes to sports and the entertainment at this time of year, it certainly goes out like a lion and leads directly into one of the best sports months of the year. We all know that April showers bring May flowers, but what brings the April showers? Well, it is the spot that the month of March lets April pick up at and it is perfectly set up to be one of the most entertaining months on the sports calendar with the four major sports and the NCAA providing some of the best entertainment in the world.

As the calendar page turns, boring baseball games with tropical backgrounds give way to the meaningful ones in frigid cities like Detroit, Chicago and Minneapolis. The pitchers pitch until they can’t pitch anymore (even Stephen Strasburg) and the fans don’t leave after five innings (except in the Bronx). The games mean something now even if it is not sure what that will be for another six months – but that’s what makes it great.

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Celtics fans can only hope that Jordan Crawford is bringing his scoring prowess to Boston

For all the hoopla that surrounded the Boston Celtics in recent weeks, the trade deadline came and went with minimal activity.  For those of you hoping to see Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and/or Rajon Rondo go in a blockbuster deadline deal, sorry.  For those of you, like me, who anticipated that Celtics GM Danny Ainge would stand pat at the deadline, well you were right (sort-of).  In a late mid-afternoon deal, which first came to light in the early morning, the Celtics and Washington Wizards came to an agreement in which the Wizards sent Jordan Crawford to Boston for ½ of Leandro Barbsoa and Jason Collins.

Crawford has had what many would call an uninspiring NBA career.  He has averaged the following numbers: 26.2 minutes per game, 13.4 points, 3.1 assists, 2.7 rebounds.  Not to shabby for a guy who once was known for dunking on LeBron James before coming to the league. After becoming the 27^th pick in the 2010 NBA draft, Crawford put up promising stats for three seasons; however, he continually fell out of favor in Washington, especially after the recent return of John Wall.  That’s what so lackluster about him, he has received 4-straight DNP Coach’s decisions in a row in Washington.

Before we jump to any conclusions, lets be honest, Jordan Crawford isn’t the Celtics savior whatsoever.  What he is, is a bench player who can flat out shoot the ball. When poised, Crawford can score the basketball.  After Barbosa’s ACL injury, Ainge knew he needed someone who could come off the bench and do just that.  While I am not advocating for the deal whatsoever, I look at it as more of a necessity.  I don’t like Crawford as a player, but I really do believe that he has some tremendous upside as far as the rest of the season goes.  Prediction: The Celtics will eventually come to rely on his scoring ability with similarity to their dependence on Barbosa’s.

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Paul Pierce Leads Celtics to Victory

Wednesday night the Celtics were able to seal the deal against the Chicago Bulls to wrap up the first part of the season before the All-Star break. The Celtics beat the Bulls by a score of 71-69 to make it eight victories in their last nine contests.

 It was not the prettiest win but the Celtics were able to hold on for the victory. It was clear that players were fatigued and tired. That was expected after their past string of games playing shorthanded along with a triple over time win against Denver. They were in need of a break.

At one point both teams missed several layups consecutively. The poor shooting didn’t just stop there; Chicago shot just 36.5 percent and Boston 36.8 percent from the field for the game. Both teams were dragging and just looking to get through the game to get to the break. From the looks of both teams that last buzzer could not come soon enough. Fortunately for the Celtics when the final buzzer went off they were able to hold onto a two point advantage for the victory.

“So many things have gone on over the last couple weeks for us, just physically, mentally. This is the perfect time for a break,” Paul Pierce stated after the game. For the Celtics it is a much needed break, and not only that but a great way to go out to end the first half of the season. They were able to win eight of their last nine games and roll into the All-Star break with the momentum they need.

Plagued by injuries and fighting through adversity the Celtics have been able to prove they can compete and still win even when they are shorthanded. After losing three players to season ending injuries within a 15 day span it has not been easy for the Celtics. Losing Rondo, Sullinger and Barbosa has brought the team closer together and has allowed for other players to step up.

The success the Celtics have achieved the past several games would not have been possible if it was not for the veteran leaders to lead the way. Both Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett have been phenomenal in the last stretch of games.

Paul Pierce in the month of February is averaging 18.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game while obtaining two triple doubles and hitting two huge shots that have helped seal wins for the C’s. Against the Nuggets Pierce had a huge night posting a triple double with 27 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists.

In the past nine games Kevin Garnett has averaged 17 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. Against the Nuggets on February 10^th Garnett filled up the stat sheet with a monster game putting up 20 points, 18 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks.

The Celtics will be back in action on February 19^th after the All-Star break. They will have a rematch against the Denver Nuggets. The two teams had an epic battle just five days ago that went into triple overtime that will go down as one of the most memorable regular season games in Celtics history. Look for a sure battle to kick off the second half of the season as the Nuggets will be out for revenge.

La-La Vasquez, the wife 0f  Knicks’ star Carmelo Anthony, chimed in about the whole Honey Nut Cheerios incident via Twitter.

Not for nothing,but we ALL deserve a check or some free cereal 4all the publicity we’ve given Honey Nut Cheerios! LOL #cantbelieveeverything

— LA LA(@lala) January 11, 2013

La-La would be a way HOTTER spokesperson for the cereal than that stupid bee.

You may recall that Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics and her husband got into some HARDCORE trash talking that may have crossed the line.

So much so that Carmelo Anthony and Garnett got into a verbal confrontation after the game.  Anthony was suspended for a game.

Pot Of Baked Beans Goes To @RedsArmy_Chuck

Looks like the Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony wanted to have a schoolyard brawl with Kevin Garnett of the Celtics after his team’s 102-96 loss.

In the video, you can see Melo (red hat) waiting for KG outside of Boston’s team bus. This seems more of a PR stunt or an image thing for Anthony.

In his mind, does he actually think he could beat up Kevin “Mr. Intensity” Garnett in a street fight.

(ART: DeRoy Designs)

Come on Melo, KG head butts the basket before each game.

He would DEVOUR you.

So when do the Celtics & Knicks play again?

This is going to get really INTERESTING!