Green Bandwagon: FanPosts

Celtics make offer to Corey Maggette

Fooch — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:04:35 -0000

Marc Spears is reporting that in addition to making a MLE offer to James Posey, the Celtics have made an offer to Corey Maggette. Considering they need an eventual replacement for Ray Allen, this would certainly be an intriguing pickup. Maggette averaged 22.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

He's always been considered immensely talented, going back to his days at Duke when he was Dick Vitale's very own Mr. Maggette-oooh. The question is whether you'd want him over Posey. It sounds like if they can sign either one it will only be one, not both. Posey has certainly become a fan favorite after his postseason performance, but Maggette seems like a special talent, which could help carry this team as the veterans get older. He wouldn't be the bedrock of the team, but he'd be quite a talent to have.

I've added a poll. I'm a Maggette guy, but I'm sure Posey has plenty of supporters.

Poll

If you could only have one (for the same price), who would you rather have?

No Cinderella In Boston

Splice Today — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:22:28 -0000

Everyone thinks the Boston Celtics had a miracle turnaround, but the only thing miraculous about their championship was trading a bunch of eighth graders for All-Stars.

www.splicetoday.com

I make a solemn plea to sports analysts everywhere: Please stop referring to the 2007-08 Boston Celtics as the greatest turnaround in NBA history.

Or can we at least put an asterisk next to such a comment?

For those sports fans who were not aware (and I’m looking at you, people living in the Biodome), the Celtics won the 2008 NBA Championship, and in the process they won an impressive 66 games. During the 2006-07 season, however, the Celtics managed only 24 wins—but that’s pretty impressive considering the team consisted of Paul Pierce, some eighth graders and a couple of those old guys whom you see playing at the rec center with Horace Grant-style glasses and braces on both knees. I mean, sure, we all remember the huge splash they made in the free agent market when they signed Kevin Pittsnogle on July 26, but amazingly they turned right around and got rid of him on October 20.

The increase of 42 wins shattered the previous record of 32 games, set by the 1997-98 San Antonio Spurs. Some attribute that amazing feat by the Spurs to the addition of guard Reggie Geary, but I’ve stubbornly held that it had more to do with the drafting of this guy named Tim Duncan (coupled with a healthier David Robinson).

Well, what happened in Boston? Did Brian Scalabrine pull Larry Bird out of his ass? Not that I’m aware of. Did Doc Rivers learn how to coach? Definitely not. The Celtics were poised to get the number one pick in the 2007 NBA Draft and make Greg Oden the “Shaq” to Paul Pierce’s “Kobe.” But at the end of the Draft Lottery, Boston was shocked to find itself with the fifth pick, which was definitely the opposite of “wicked awesome.” With Pierce growing more and more frustrated with the overall shittiness of the franchise, General Manager Danny Ainge decided it was time to resort to Plan B, entitled: “We Got the Fifth Pick? Holy @#%$! What the %&*! Are We Going To Do Now?’

And so the Celtics executed a number of personnel moves (the most underrated of which was the signing of James Posey). Of course, the primary moves were a trade to acquire Ray Allen from the Seattle Supersonics and a trade to acquire Kevin Garnett from the Minnesota Timberwolves. In fact, out of 15 players on the Celtics 2007-08 roster, only six were on the team during the 2006-07 season. Boston went from a starting lineup of (then-rookie) Rajon Rondo, Wally Szczerbiak, Paul Pierce, Al Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins to a lineup of Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins (not to mention a slew of better bench players). So, really the analysts are right: the Celtics experienced an incredible single season turnaround. Unfortunately, it was a turnaround of their roster.

See the rest at www.splicetoday.com

Kevin Garnett is certified/certifiable

Fooch — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:20:55 -0000

For those of us who saw Kevin Garnett's post-game interview with Michelle Tafoya, we can agree he definitely went a little bit nuts. There are plenty of players who are emotional and "wear there heart on their sleeves." Paul Pierce is an emotional player. In fact, many professional athletes can be like that. However, Kevin Garnett may go down as the most emotional player in NBA, if not general sports, history. Garnett plays with pure, raw emotion unlike anything I've ever seen. I bring this up because of a highly entertaining article over at slate.com that does a play-by-play of KG postgame.

"I'm certified! I'm certified!" Garnett bellows. This may be the first time you could mistake a newly minted NBA champion for a raving lunatic on the subway . . .

The interview concludes, but the camera stays with Garnett as he turns to find Bill Russell waiting to greet him with a benevolent grin and a bear hug . . .

Now, even the stiffest upper lip in Boston has to be quivering as Garnett and his forebear embrace. "I got one of my own," says Garnett. "I got my own." He steps back, looks at Russell, and says "I hope we made you proud." . . .

A less weird individual might have left it at that, but Garnett has one more line for his mentor: "Now you got to tell me where to go tonight." Russell last won a championship for Boston in 1969. Unless the Celtics always celebrate their championships at the Warren Tavern (est. 1780), the old man's advice isn't going to be that useful. But this is at once a great statement of Garnett's respect for Celtic tradition and of how dedicated he's been to returning the franchise to its former glory—the man doesn't even know a good local bar for celebrating. Have a couple on us tonight, KG. You deserve it.

Plenty of athletes break down and cry when they win their first title. However, with Garnett, it seemed more real. He's a guy that pretty much everybody likes and he's always been a guy who played all out every single play of every single game. It only makes sense that he would go all out crazy once he'd reached his goal.

One thing that will be interesting next season (and this will be something worth exploring in much more depth), is how winning it all will affect the Celtics. More importantly, how will it affect Kevin Garnett. I'd imagine the drive and passion will still be there. Maybe without this King Kong-sized monkey on his back, Garnett will step up to an even greater level? I can't imagine he's a guy who's competitiveness will simply switch off because he won a single title. Either way that is definitely one of the more intriguing issues heading into the 2008-2009 season.

PRICELESS!!!

OneMore — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:35:31 -0000

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Introducing-your-official-NBA-Champion-Celtics-w?urn=nba,88656#comments

Funny stuff from a big clown. Looks like he's really having fun with it -- Good for you BB......Here's to you and the rest of the CHAMPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Lots a love KG

weeks21 — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:33:42 -0000

Kevin Garnett (via Linux29)

While KG has not been been the crazy dominant monster, we all know and love in this series I still have lots of love for the big man. I can't wait to see him storm the garden tonight. Lots a love for KG. I say in the first quarter he hits 5 for 5. It is going to be a lights out performance from the big 3 tonight. And the big ticket is going to lead the way.

Pocket full of Posey

weeks21 — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:47:33 -0000

Ok so I haven't always been a fan of James Posey. In fact there were times during the regular season when I cursed the TV everytime he hit the floor because his cocky swagger and unconventional defense made my blood boil. But the playoffs are a different story. Props to Doc Rivers for seeing the diamond in the rough.

Posey has played great D in the finals, nagged the Lakers and provided a spark at times for his teammates to build off of. Well done James. You have won me over.

Poll

How many 3's will Posey hit in game 6?

Boston's Dunkadelic-3

DunkadelicKG — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 14:01:54 -0000

Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen are 3 players from the basketball and hip-hop culture fusion that is known now as The "Dunkadelic-Era" In America, 1984-Present. The Big 3 has been used by other teams. There was a rap group named the Trecherous 3 during the early 1980's. Kool Moe Dee the popular rapper of the late 80's was the leader of the group.

KG, Double P, and Ray Ray Boston's Dunkadelic-3. 2008 NBA Champions, How You Like Me Now.

Dear Paul: This Is About The Celtics

Georgia — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:58:31 -0000

I love Paul Pierce. I really do. I have loved him ever since we drafted him out of Kansas and through thick and thin, I stood, stand and will continue to stand by this man. But the way he played in Game 3 has me worried. I know it's just one game, but...Hey! It's the Finals! Therefore, I am hypersensitive and completely insane.

There've been enough articles written about Pierce in the last week or so to make one think that this Series is all about him. Him emerging as our Go-To-Guy in the Playoffs. Him being the longest tenured Celtic. And of course, his return to LA as a Celtic...Certainly, there are many other fascinating subplots, but Pierce's, as a direct result of his play in the first two games, has entered center stage. And he admitted that it affected his play in Game 3 .

Pierce also admitted to suffering some of the hometown issues that can mess with good players. That’s why it was such a big deal that he’s usually played well here.

“I think I was a little too hyper coming into this game, you know, looking at a great opportunity playing at home,” he said. “I’ve just got to settle down into what I do and go out there and play. I think I was (anxious), but that’s no excuse. You’re supposed to be. You’re coming home to play with a tremendous opportunity to go 3-0. It’s all about just settling down and going out there and playing the game. I think that’s what caused me to get two early fouls. That just pretty much threw the rhythm of my offense off throughout the game, just getting into foul trouble and thinking too much.”

I have no doubt that Paul Pierce will pick up his play. But what alarmed me in Game 3 was that he dominated the ball in the fourth quarter when he was clearly having an off night. And while having an off night, he hogged the ball and tried to bring us back when we had someone else that could do the job better than he could in Ray Allen.

Even though he was 2 for 12 - on his way to a 2-for-14 homecoming horror show - Pierce still held out hope he could lead the Celtics back; that a shot that hadn't fallen all night would fall when it counted most.

"I think all my shots are going to go. I'm not going to just throw it up to throw it up," said Pierce, who had just 6 points in an 87-81 loss last night in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. "It's the breaks of the games. I got a smile on my face even though we lost because I know we're going to play better. I just know it."

Maybe I'm reading too much into this. I hope I'm reading too much into this. But I can't shake the feeling that Paul played selfish ball when he should've been deferring to the hottest hand. What's worse? He doesn't even seem to realize it, too caught up in his own game.

"It's frustrating when you don't shoot well, but . . . by no means is it going to break my confidence," said Pierce. "When I look back there were some shots I took that were good shots for me. They just didn't fall. I got myself out of rhythm by getting in foul trouble."

The fact of the matter is, to put it bluntly, Paul Pierce should've given the ball to Ray Allen and gotten the hell out of the way. We may or may not have won, but it was our best hope and Pierce completely neglected it.

Pierce is clearly our best player, but he's also our Captain. He has to recognize when someone else on the team is playing at a higher level than he is. And he has to know to defer.

I know Paul Pierce got us here, but I hope he isn't thinking about his own personal angle too much. Because as compelling as his own legacy may eventually become, we've come too far to make this about him now. Put the team first. We have a title to win.

Lakers Win Game 3

bostonking — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 05:24:53 -0000

via d.yimg.com

The Lakers came out heard in game 3 and with the LA Crowd behind them. There was no stopping the Lakers.

Although Garnett had a great game he did not lead the Celtics back like Ray Allen did. Ray Allen was unstoppable from behind the arc and man when Ray gets going he just can't stop lighting them up.

And with so many Celebs in the house it's hard for the lakers not to have won. Kobe had a great game, but his teammate Gasol had a really horrible game.

Gasol only got a couple baskets and most of them were under the rim.

Argue with a laker's fan

hunter48 — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:59:52 -0000

i want to have a debate

Lakers are gonna beat you guys

kobe my man is gonna take over

GO LAKERS

What's with the "gotta" neat la t-shirts-- Gotta?

Anyways, someone please argue with me since im a lakers fan.

i want to have a debate

Please correct the following items:

Your FanPost must be at least 75 words long. Right now it's only 48 words long. If you just have a quote, link, video or photo you'd like to share with the community, try creating a FanShot instead.

They Are 8-0.

Georgia — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:00:54 -0000

All year long and until now, the Celtics needed that extra little something to go out and get a win. Whether they were avenging an earlier loss to a particular team or trying to halt a 2-game losing streak or to prove to the naysayers that three All Stars can sacrifice and make it work all season long, the Celtics needed that extra little something to play in another gear. When questioned, they answered. Out West and through Texas. When they had something to prove or a statement to make, they came through.

So, here's a little extra incentive for the Celtics to go out and get Game 3: They are 8-0 at home this Postseason. The Lakers are undefeated at home.

The Celtics need to break them on their own turf. That's their final test.

The Truth about The Knee

Fooch — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 00:19:34 -0000

[Green Bandwagon Note: I enjoyed this FanPost tremendously and it definitely belongs on the front page. Don't even get me started on the whole Phil Jackson thing right now. Granted that's what he has to do. He can't glorify one of the other team's best players. But Pierce is a legitimately tough dude. As a side note I had an extensive injury history in my past. I've had things pop and had surgery. I've had things pop and been fine. Hopefully Pierce ends up with the latter.]

ESPN certainly has its good and bad points. One positive is the injury information they provide. Today there's an interesting article by Stephania Bell, an "injury expert" at ESPN.com. Bell discusses Paul Pierce's knee injury and what it could mean going forward. I don't have a medical background, but I think this provides some quality information about the potential severity and how it could affect Pierce's game.

The pop

A pop in the knee often suggests ligament damage and/or injury to the meniscus, a fibrocartilage disc (of which there are two, one medial and one lateral) in the knee that helps cushion the joint. The body has some natural self-protective mechanisms built in for the knee, including preventing an individual from putting full weight through the leg immediately after significant injury so as to prevent further damage to the joint structures.

So even if the injury ends up not being all that serious, it's certainly reasonable to see why Pierce might be concerned and not wanting to put weight on the knee. Phil Jackson seemed to openly mock the whole thing and even if Pierce is fine the rest of the way, I can't see any reason PIerce would go overboard on the drama with something like this.

Pierce's return

With a sleeve to offer some support, a still-warm (and therefore not so stiff) knee and the aforementioned anxiety-producing adrenaline now serving to override the pain, Pierce could, and did, return to the game to finish it out effectively.

You always hear crazy stories about athletes playing with broken bones and blown out knees for a short while and I would imagine that was the case here if this proves to be a serious injury.

Game 2 and beyond

The concerns...going forward are how much swelling he develops in the knee (especially overnight when the knee is immobile) and how stiff and painful the knee is in the next two to three days (which will be influenced by the amount of swelling) . . . If the swelling is significant, Pierce will have difficulty with the range of motion in his knee, and his ability to contract his quadriceps muscle -- the large muscle on the front of the thigh necessary for running and jumping -- will be impaired . . . f indeed he has injured the meniscus, it can catch or lock within the joint, not only becoming a source of irritation but also limiting his extremes of motion and hindering his ability to twist and pivot.

There is a lot more detail in the article, but I thought this was the important stuff to take away from it. Pierce apparently didn't practice today and I'd imagine aside from seeing what progress he's made tomorrow, he won't be practicing a whole lot prior to game 2.

All I have to say is thank the lord and ABC for the stupid tv schedule.

Season-Long Points Created Graphic

dsparks — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:51:44 -0000

If you haven't seen it, you might be interested in checking out this incredible graphic depicting the Celtics season in a novel way. Essentially, there's an estimate of points created for each game every player appeared in, that tries to approximate their contribution to the final score, and this is represented in graphical form. You can even see how the Lakers fared. It's very interesting to see how different players have stepped up throughout the season for the Celts, and how one-dimensional the Lakers appear to be--stop Kobe, stop the Lakers, for the most part. This representation also shows, in yet another way, just how awesome Garnett is--often leading the team to victory, and doing whatever it takes (as shown by the many different colors he takes on). Anyway, what do you guys think about this? Does it reflect your assessment of how the teams and players did over the course of the season?

via arbitrarian.wordpress.com

Tony Allen Looks Doubtful

Jim — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:23:43 -0000

Word out of Boston is that Tony Allen is not looking good for the Finals. What does this mean?

1. Even though Allen is a guard I don't expect Gabe Pruitt to dress. Look for Brian Scalabrine to trade in his jeans like he did in game 6 of the ECF.

2. I'm one of the biggest Tony Allen fans out there. But even I can admit that he's not ready for Kobe in the finals. Allen has essentially been out of game action for a month, while the MVP has been rolling through the playoffs. Factor in the possibility of Kobe going out of his way to destroy the notion of Allen as a "Kobe stopper" and that could have been downright ugly. Of course the question remains - how do the Celtics defend Kobe? Good question. If I knew I wouldn't be running this blog. Of course you assume I'd be coaching. Wrong. Instead I would reveal the plan to Kobe in exchange for a ton of Nutella, even if the two have gone their separate ways. He's got to have some leftover. Hazelnut...

via farm2.static.flickr.com

Kobe the Dragonslayer!

majesticblue — Sat, 31 May 2008 16:35:02 -0000

While many sports writers try to come up with stories like Big Threes of one team versus the other's, it's hard to really apply this formula to the match up between the Lakers and Celtics. Pau was once in the All-Star squad but that was a long, long time ago. Odom is simply not in that level. That leaves only Kobe against a formidable team of Garnett, Allen, and Pierce.

I just thought of this and I had yet found any image depicting Kobe in shining silver armor holding a sword in slashing motion against a 3-head dragon. If anyone's got the graphics talent, this should be an easy task. I have included a picture of a 3-head dragon. :)) This should provide an excellent backdrop in this epic battle between the honorable Purple n Gold and the Weed-Stubborn Green. Lakers in 5. Go Lakers!! Go Kobe the Dragonslayer!!

via www.stuffedlegends.com

Rasheed Wallace is Mad

Jim — Thu, 29 May 2008 07:44:15 -0000

Chris Silva of the Detroit Free Press reports that Rasheed Wallace is not pleased with the refereeing from Game 5:

"All that (expletive) calls they had out there, with Mike (Callahan) and Kenny (Mauer) you’ve all seen that (expletive)," Wallace said. "You saw them calls. The cats are flopping all over the floor and they’re calling that (expletive). That (expletive) ain’t basketball out there. It’s all (expletive) entertainment. You all should know that (expletive). It’s all (expletive) entertainment." - Rasheed Wallace

via blogs.sohh.com

The Doc's Formula

emcolon — Tue, 20 May 2008 01:10:33 -0000

I'm just glad Doc finally realized that Cassell was hurting more than he was helping against the Cavs. That said, he might be more effective against the bigger Billups. Though as much as I've complained about Doc's rotation issues, it looks like playing PJ was a stroke of genius. Not to mention the re-emergence of Eddie House (instead of Cassell)! I just hope that Doc sticks to some kind of normal rotation now. PJ was great, but he's old and can't play those kinds of minutes again. Also, what happened to Powe?! I love Big Baby, but Powe was solid all year. Why is he out of the rotation?

Anyway, as much as Doc's rotations scare me, i think the real key is Ray. He needs to break out of his slump for the Celts to beat the Pistons. Unfortunately, the Piston D is considered better than the Cav D. The Celts can't afford for him to be a non-factor. PJ can't save them every time. Not on those ancient knees... Doc needs to find a way to work him into the offense more. He was double consistently off the pick and roll in cleveland. Doc needs to find a way to get him involved for the Celts to take down Detroit. should be a great series!

Officiating

Michael18 — Thu, 15 May 2008 14:23:29 -0000

I've never seen games so badly officiated then this years playoff games. Lebron, who is the king of getting fouled without anybody touching him is just pathetic. Yes, team stars always gets less fouls against them an draw more fouls but this is getting out of control. Of coarse he's going to score 30 points a night, when the opposing team can't play tight defense or you'll get called for the foul.

Also, the Jazz Vs. Lakers games have been poorly officiated. The Lakers are like a bunch of Lebrons with the calls they get. The Jazz in game 5 were close with about 6 minutes left in the 4th and the officials took over. They called like 4 strait fouls on the Jazz "phantom calls" and then called them for traveling on the offensive end. The Lakers had around 45 free throw attempts, while the Jazz had half that. It's not 5 against 5 anymore, its 5 against 8.

It's hard to watch the NBA now, its just getting worse. With the phantom calls and the flopping, its just not real basketball anymore. I bet Stern is loving this though, his star players are getting more notoriety, and the serious are dragging on so the league is making more advertising money. It's getting harder and harder to be NBA fan, may have to start watching the WNBA to watch pure basketball without the refs deciding the game. I think we should start something to get the league to bring back how real basketball should be played.

It's time for The Truth

Georgia — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:47:44 -0000

[Green Bandwagon Note: I promoted this to the front page because I think reader Georgia makes some great points. I actually think LeBron is a tough match up because a lot of Pierce's offense starts with him putting the ball on the floor and heading to the hoop. And LeBron is so big and fast that he can make that difficult. And I'd love to see Pierce drop 30+ as long as he does it with the efficiency he's shown at points throughout the season. Still great FanPost.]

Paul Pierce needs to step up and go for 30 or 40 tonight. I know they all talk about "Ubuntu," but tonight is the night when Pierce has to tell his teammates, "Get on my back. I'm going to carry you guys."

He can do it because there's no one on the Cleveland's roster that can guard him. Not even close. Once Pierce gets his mid-range game going, there's no way LeBron or anyone else can keep him from driving. And once Pierce starts driving, they'll back off or get in foul trouble. And once they back off, Pierce will drill the 3. And once his 3s start falling, it's over. Just like that, Pierce can put this team on his back and carry them to perhaps the most important victory of the series. He has done it many, many times before. He now has to do it again. He has to.

Pierce has always been a big game player. In his first ever playoff game, Pierce came out and gunned down the Iverson-led Sixers that went to the Finals the year before. He then dropped his playoff career high 46 points in the elimination game. And who can forget "The Comeback" or the dagger he drilled in Al Harrington's face a year later? Even when he had his meltdown against Indiana a few years ago, Pierce was still our most potent threat and delivered at least in numbers. So it's puzzling, troubling and alarming when I watch Paul Pierce, with Wally Szczerbiak in his face, keeps passing the ball to Kendrick Perkins in the post being guarded by 7'3" Z Ilgauskas.

Paul Pierce needs to step up. He needs to demand the ball and abuse their defense like he knows how. No more mediocre offensive numbers from Paul. I am demanding greatness from a player who considers himself great. So, let's see it, Paul Pierce. It's your time.

Big Ben May Be Out

Michael18 — Sat, 10 May 2008 05:52:43 -0000

"Exams and testing done at The Cleveland Clinic today determined that he has allergies and a viral inner ear infection in his left ear with dizziness. He is currently listed as doubtful for Game 3 versus Boston tomorrow night (Saturday) at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland."

That will help the Celtics some on offense if he doesn't play. And going into Cleveland we are going to need all the help we can get. His lack of big body presence will surely help Garnett and especially Perkins in the post. Plus a somewhat easier drives to the hoop that Rondo loves doing so much. So lets hope he's out todays game an if we are lucky enough next game to.