2010 NBA Finals Preview

So here we are.  After a long 82 game season followed by an exciting postseason, the Celtics are where they said they’d be, The NBA Finals.  They have knocked out superstars galore in Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, and Dwight Howard.  Now it is time for them to knock out arguably the best player in the game today, Kobe Bryant.  And if not for a Kevin Garnett knee injury last season, the basketball world would certainly have this same script for a third year in a row.  Without further adieu, I give to you, my NBA Finals preview.  (Rhyming not intended.)

With the NBA, one has to look at matchups.  That is how I will go about this post.  The in-series adjustments that will be made will come down to coaching and can very easily determine who wins this series.

Rajon Rondo vs. Derek Fisher

Rondo has been far and away the most valuable player for the Celtics this postseason.  He has constantly out hustled his opposition and run the Celtics offense fluently.  

Derek Fisher is the old veteran who is solid as a rock and has a knack for hitting big shots.  Thus far in the post season he has been able to slow down Russell Westbrook, Deron Williams, and Steve Nash.   I think that Phil Jackson will start him out covering Rondo but if Rondo starts abusing him like I think he will, Kobe will come over and guard Rondo much like in 2008. 

The problem here is, in 2008, Kobe stayed off of Rondo and was able to help on Pierce and Allen.  He won’t be able to do that this year as Rondo has refined his game since 2008 and has the ability to hit an open jump shot.  If Rondo can get into the teeth of the Laker defense consistently, this will be a short series.

Advantage: Celtics

Ray Allen vs Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant is the best player in the game.  He has solidified that notion this postseason.  There is almost no way of stopping him.  He wants to win and has the ability to inflict his will on a game at any point.  In Game 6 of the Suns’ series, the Suns came to within striking distance and that was as close as they got.  Kobe poured in 37 points and most of those points came with Grant Hill in his grill. 

In 2008,  Doc Rivers switched off between Pierce and Ray Allen as to was covering Kobe.  Look for much of the same this year but with a little help from Tony Allen off the bench.  TA was great against D-Wade and LeBron earlier in the playoffs and I have faith that he can’t at least slow Kobe down.

Ray Allen is the best pure shooter in the game today even at the ripe old age of 34.  It is aggravating to me that the Celtics offense won’t go through Ray.  He will scorch the net from downtown 2 possessions in a row and wont see the ball again until the next quarter.  If Kobe is forced into guarding Rondo, I think that Ray can run circles around Derek Fisher. 

Advantage: Lakers

Paul Pierce vs Ron Artest

This is without a doubt the biggest matchup of the series.  Whoever can get the better of who here will dictate who will be wearing another ring.  In 21 games against each other head to head, Artest holds the advantage being 11-10.  Artest is one of the best defenders in the game and he knows he has to stop Pierce at all costs. 

Pierce is coming off a series where he roasted the Magic because no one could match up with him.  Pierce averages 20.5 ppg against Artest in their long history.  Yet during the regular season, Artest held Pierce to 15 and 11 respectively in the two games they played each other.

Any offense that Artest offers the Lakers should be seen as an added bonus.  His responsibility will be keep Pierce at Bay for the  entire series.  If he can accomplish that, the Lakers will win the series.  It is my opinion he won’t be able to do that.

Advantage: Celtics

Kevin Garnett vs Pau Gasol

Garnett punished Gasol back in 2008 to the extent that the LA faithful were calling for Gasol’s head.  He played with no heart and backed down all series long.  Last season he manned up and played Dwight Howard as physical as anyone in the league.  Against Phoenix in the Western Conference Finals, Gasol disappeared again, a true Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde.  The question here is which Pau will show up.

While KG is not the player he once was, he does still have that vintage intensity and he has refined his offensive game somewhat.  He can bury the outside jumper at will and this helps open the court for Rondo and company.  KG was what was missing from the Celtics team a year ago.  His presence alone makes this team very tough to play.  He is physical and will get into Gasol’s head two minutes into Game 1. 

Advantage: Celtics

Kendrick Perkins vs Andrew Bynum

Bynum is consistently injured and Perkins is consistently in foul trouble.  Bynum is usually good for helping out around the rim and Perkins is usually good for clearing everyone out so Rondo or Pierce can grab a rebound.  This is as even as it gets.

Advantage: Even

Celtics Bench vs Lakers Bench

The Celtics bench consists of Rasheed Wallace, Glen Davis, Tony Allen, and Nate Robinson.  The Lakers have Lamar Odom, Jordan Farmar, Sasha Vujacic, and Shannon Brown.  Rasheed and Odom pretty much cancel each other out because they are so much alike in the fact that they can show up and have a huge impact on the game or they can fade into irrelevance.  Overall I feel that the Celtics have the better bench because of Glen Davis and Tony Allen.  Both provide a spark, Tony with his defense and occasional dunks and Davis with his mid range jumper and ability to rebound.  The only thing worthy of note off of the Lakers bench is the soccer like flopping ability of Vujacic.  He has the ability to get under the opponents skin and also the ability to get a crowd riled up.

Advantage: Celtics

Doc Rivers vs. Phil Jackson

Those of you that know me, know that I think Phil Jackson is the most overrated coach in the history of sports.  I find it very easy to coach the greatest players in the game and let them do all your work.  Never once is he challenged to make an actual decision that could impact a game.  It is easy to coach the Michael Jordan’s and Kobe Bryant’s of the world.  Is it easy to coach young talent such as Al Jefferson, Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, and Tony Allen and develop them while constantly losing?  No.

I think that as much as Phil is overrated Doc is underrated and is one of the best "x’s and o’s" coaches in the league today.  As I mentioned before this series may come down to who can make the necessary adjustments as the series goes along.  Who can get the maximum production out of their rotations and who can find mismatches to exploit.  I am well aware that Phil has his abundance of championship rings, one for every digit on both hands I believe.  How many has he won without the best player in the game at that time on his roster? Zero. 

Advantage (and call me a homer): Celtics

 

This series will ultimately come down to three things.  Pierce vs. Artest, if the Lakers can contain Rondo, and which coach will make the correct adjustments throughout the series.

Final prediction:  Celtics in 6

 

Position Rankings (OTA Edition) Defensive End

  The defensive end position in the 3-4 is comparable to the defensive tackle position in the 4-3.  The main focus for these techniques are gap responsibility and occupying blockers.  Defensive ends in the 3-4 lineup on the tackle and are responsible for the B and C gaps (those in between the guard and tackle, and outside of the tackle as well).  The jobs in which these men partake are thankless and extremely difficult.  They are looked upon to take on the biggest lineman (tackles), sometimes being double teamed by the interior lineman, down-blocked by a tight end, or even chipped by a fullback leading the hole.  Similar to an offensive lineman the stats for this position do not show up in the box score, but rather brought up in the film room on Monday.  One of the best 3-4 defensive ends of all time, Richard Seymour, puts the position into perspective, “it’s not designed for you to make the plays.  It’s designed for the linebackers. That’s why it’s the 3-4. You’ve really got to do a good job to get yourself into it, but you’re creating for other people.”

 1) Miami Dolphins-  This was probably the toughest inetrnal debate I have had since starting these rankings.  There are a couple of reasons why I give the # 1 spot to Miami.  The defensive end position is extremly tough to play.  You need a multitude of guys to rotate in and out in order to be effecive.  I see this Dolphins team having a lot of talent and youth at this position.  If Randy Starks wasn’t taking on nose tackle duties in the abscence of Jason Ferguson I would feel more comfortable with this ranking.  However that being said, when Ferguson returns Starks is the best defensive end in this division.  He is great against the run and in a position where sacks are at a minimum, Starks gets to the passer.  Taking the place of Randy Starks at right end is first round draft pick Jared Odrick.  This mamoth has the size and strength, but more importantly the athleticism to be a two gap player in the 3-4 scheme.  He has an incredible wingspan at 36 inches, and at the point of attack he will be able to hold up against the strong tackles in this division.  The  Left end spot will be occupied by returning starter Kendall Langford.  Langford is a bit of an unknown coming out of Hampton College.  Langford however was a big fish playing in a small pond, he was first-team All-American  his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons.   He has perfect size for the position and is strong against the run.  Langford should continue to improve in this his third season at the position.  Behind Langford is Phillip Merling.  Merling is a bit of a disappointment to the coaching staff who drafted him with the first pick of the second round in 2008.  Merling had first rounder written all over him coming out of Clemson and was expected to start until the emergence of the aformentioned Langford.  Merling has still come up with some big plays for the Dolphins, none bigger than his interception returned for a TD against the Jets to clinch the division in 2008.  The coaching staff remains behind Merling and says that if he were more consistent he would be a starter.  Merling however was arrested just two days ago on a domestic violence charge.  With four potential startes at the position I see Miami having a slight edge in this division.  

 2) New England Patriots- I have the Patriots again slightly ahead in this position for a couple of reasons.  First, the actual scheme they run is flawless and fits the 3-4 to a T ( shout-out to B B).  The ends in the scheme take up blockers and allow the backers behind them to make plays.  Ty Warren is a big reason for this rankings as well.  He had been overshadowed by Richard Seymour for years along the defensive front.  However Warren has been a mainstay along the Patriots line and has been the proto-typical end for this team for years.  He is very strong against the run and in my opinion made a few linebackers from those championship teams.  You can’t tell me that the Mike Vrabels of the world don’t owe Warren a few steak dinners, a hug, or at least a cuddle.  The opposite end seems to be a rotation between Mike Wright, possibly Gerard Warren and Ron Brace?  The fact of the matter is that New England posseses a few former first round draft choices to rotate in to either position.  If they move Wilfork to the end position and bring in a Gerard Warren or Ron Brace, it makes the line that much stronger.  Damione Lewis was also a first round draft pick as well and he could fill in anywhere along the line.  There is also a contingency of young players that could contribute in a big way. Whose to say Bill Bellilchik won’t find a diamond in the rough in Brandon Deaderick, Myron Pryor, or Kyle Love.  There are alot of movable pieces on that roster which makes them dangerous, couple that with Bill’s brain, and you could have yet another solid defensive line. 

 3) New York Jets- I know, I know, they had the number one rushing defense last year.  They also had a stronger defensive line.  The departure of Marques Douglas at the right end position has brought the ranking of this defense down.  Douglas remains an unrestricted free agent and to this point is still available.  However I don’t think the team wants to keep getting older at the defensive line with Shaun Ellis on the left end and Kris Jenkins in the middle.  Shaun Ellis is a very solid left end and is in no way a reflection of this ranking.  However the combination of age and lack of depth has dropped this team.  There has been talk of trying out first round bust Vernon Gholston at the right end slot, but he hasn’t been productive in two years at the position he was drafted for, so why should he project stronger at a new position.  On the current roster the Jets are looking at Mike Devito, Rodrique Wright, and Ropati Pitoitua to replace Douglas, and quite frankly there is not enough body of work on either guy to determine if they can do so.  I do not doubt Rex Ryan’s defensive brain at all, but you can’t tell me if Ellis, at the age of 32, goes down, this defensive line will be as strong as last season. Then again, if Douglas comes back to the Jets, they may jump up in the rankings as well.

 4) Buffalo Bills-  The Bills are amidst a transition in their defensive  scheme and this brings questions as to how the players leftover from last year will transition to the 3-4.  Marcus Stroud likely will start at the right end position and his experience in the 4-3 tackle position should make a somewhat seamless transition to the 3-4 end.  At 6’6″ 310, Stroud possesses great size and strength to help occupy blockers and cause disruption in the running game.  The opposite end spot in my opinion will be most likely filled by Baltimore Ravens import Dwan Edwards.  Edwards comes from the 3-4 system in Baltimore where he played the end position.  He’s familiar with the scheme and should get at least the first crack at the starting job.  On his heels will be 3rd round draft pick this season, Alex Carrington.  Carrington is coming from Arkansas St. and tallied nearly 20 sacks in his last two seasons.  He is a very athletic lineman who, if he doesn’t start, should see some third down opportunities right away.  Rotating in (fighting for jobs) will be Spencer Johnson, Rashaad Duncan, John McCargo, and Will Croner.    It will be interesting to see how Buffalo makes the transition from the 4-3, and how the new coaching staff will manage its players.  They have a fresh start with the new defense, it’s just a matter of what they do with the personnel they have from here on.

The Boston Celtics, 2009-2010

Tonight could be the culmination of the entire season for the Boston Celtics.  All the questions that were asked about this team from the preseason and regaining Kevin Garnett, to the superb first 2 months, to the .500 basketball they played after the all-star break, finishing with their remarkable playoff run, will be answered with the outcome of Game 6 tonight.  We all know that there are 7 games in the series if it were to go that far, but the Celtics have the best opportunity to finish off the defending Eastern Conference Champions tonight at home.

No one believed that the Celtics were going to make it this far.  After stumbling into the playoffs it was known that they would get by the Heat, but then according to the cliched, so-called “experts”, they were expected to be downed by the Heat.  Only 2 of these people even picked the series to go 7!  Well sadly for them their knowledge did not really show through when the Celtics downed the “LeBrons” in six games.  Yet, here we are.  The Celtics did the impossible thought and advancing and that series has been forgotten.  The goal of this team was not to get to where they are now.  They want banner #18 to be hung from the rafters of the Garden next year because they do not receive a trophy for downing the most hyped player that has not won anything.  The Celtics know what is hanging on this game and they will wrap it up tonight allowing the fans to start practicing their “BEAT L.A.” chants.

Back on the Bandwagon?

Nope, not me.  Well, I guess bandwagon may not be the most appropriate word.  I’m the guy that tonight (Wednesday) will choose to watch the Sox finish off their series against the Rays over game five of the Eastern Conference Finals.  So, I guess if there was a bandwagon, I technically never got off.  A more fitting question may be: Is your hope restored for the 2010 Boston Red Sox.  The answer to that…a resounding I don’t know.  Yup, I don’t know.  I’m not sure whether the last eight games (in which the Red Sox won seven) have been a mirage, or whether it is a sign of things to come.  I’m not sure whether David Ortiz’s performance in the month of May is simply an entire off-season and the month of April’s frustrations coming out onto the baseball. Or whether the “old” David Ortiz simply took three months of the 2009 season off and has decided to postpone his vacation this season.  To tell you the truth, I’m not sure why I’m even writing this blog post…but you’re the one reading it.

So, we have established what I don’t know (and that is a hell of a lot), but, here are a few things that I do know.  I know…well I knew that Josh Beckett’s early struggles would land him on the disabled list (I called it in a previous post…go back and check the records).  I know that Beckett’s track record points to him being lights out once he comes off of the DL, and I can’t wait to see what we just paid more than $60 million for.  I know that Kevin Youkilis is the best first baseman in the American League (and I haven’t forgot about Morneau or Teixeira) and will continue to perform at that level for the remainder of the season.  I know that Dustin Pedroia, even with his current struggles, will perform at the level that we expect of him.  Even with Cano’s early season numbers I still believe that Pedroia is the best second baseman in the AL.  I know that Marco Scutaro has underperformed, and I sense a little Edgar Renteria syndrome in his near future (really good player…comes to Boston…no longer is a really good player).  What might be the most surprising revelation about Scutaro is his defensive struggles…I’m not sure what is up with that.  I know that Adrian Beltre is exactly what I expected.  As of late, his defense has been impeccable and I know he isn’t hitting for power (he only had 8 homeruns last season!) but anytime a guy is hitting .327, I’m not complaining.  Beltre is a hardworking player that always leaves it all on the field.  Complain about him not hitting fifty homeruns all you want, but he’s no longer that type of player and, quite frankly, I don’t mind at all.  I know that Ellsbury and Cameron’s recover took longer than we expected, and I hope Tito finally smartens up and lets Ellsbury play the position that he is best at, it will benefit both players (Ellsbury’s confidence, which I believe took a big blow when Cameron was awarded center, and Cameron’s health, as left field presents much less demand in terms of running).  I know that J.D. Drew is going to hit .275, 20 homeruns, and drive in 80 RBI’s.  That is what he does every season.  It isn’t worth $14 million, but at least he is consistent.  I know that Jon Lester is the true ace of this staff (he always starts the season slowly) and will continue to perform like that for the rest of the season.  I know that Jason Varitek should catch Daisuke Matsuzaka every time he pitches.  There is an alleged communication barrier between Dice-K and Victor Martinez (understandably so as Dice-K speaks Japanese and Martinez’s first language is Spanish) and I know Tito doesn’t necessarily want to designate Varitek solely to Matsuzaka, but that is the situation where I see him having the most success.  I know that Clay Buchholz would be a #2 starter on just about any other team in the big leagues, and having him essentially as out #5 guy is something that should not be taken lightly.  I know that by the end of the 2010 MLB season, the Boston Red Sox will NOT be in fourth place in the American League.

But, the number one factor that will determine the amount of success that the Boston Red Sox will have in the 2010 season, the performance of John Lackey.  I’m pretty sure that Theo and company didn’t drop a 5 year $82.5 million contract on Lackmaster (I’m coining that phrase as my own right now) and expect him to be heralding a 4-3 record with an era north of five.  If the Lackmaster turns things around and pitches like an $82 million man should, than I certainly see the Red Sox making a run into the postseason, and possibly at a World Series.  By the way, I fully expect the New York Yankees to win the American League East Division…yes, that would mean Tampa would not make the playoffs…you heard it here first!  If the Lackmaster decides to continue to shit his pants and not show up when he needs to, then I wouldn’t expect the Sox to even sniff the playoffs (fulfilling Theo’s depiction of the 2010 season as a “bridge” year).  So, Mr. Lackey, it seems as though you need to make a decision, either prove to Sox nation that you are worth the mega-contract that was given to you and carry this team to the postseason, or fail to step up and forever have the title that Marco Scutaro now holds:

really good player…comes to Boston…no longer a really good player.

It is your choice Lackmaster.

Position Rankings (OTA Edition): Defensive Tackle

It is much easier to compare the team defenses in the AFC East now that each team is running a 3-4.  The 3-4 defense has been a progressive trend in the NFL and the league has now 15 teams using this defense!  In 2004 only 5 teams were utilizing the scheme.  With the success of this defense I see these numbers rising.

Four of the top five defenses in the NFL run the 3-4 as well as 3 of the top 5 sack leaders.  The 3-4 scheme is growing in popularity due to its success but in my opinion it has a lot to do with personnel also.  The advantages of the scheme show up everywhere on your team. The NFL allows you to take 53 players to the game.  Every week coaches try to find the right 53 players to help its team win.  The 3-4 defense changes a teams personnel dramatically.  You carry much more linebackers in the 3-4 and less defensive lineman.  This helps your special teams tremendously.  Picture being able to carry up to 10-12 linebackers on a roster.  This gives you big, strong, athletic players sprinting down the field to make plays on special teams.  Those hidden yards can be crucial during the course of a game, especially in the intense AFC East matchups. 

When you are building a 3-4 defense you have to start with the defensive tackle.  He is the heart and soul of this defense and is essential to its success.  Having a strong nose allows your middle linebackers to flow freely to make plays.  If he is able to take up two blockers in the middle of that offensive line, it produces a favorable matchup for the middle linebacker.  He is either matched up with a fullback, or no one.  The AFC East is very strong at this position and in this article I attempt to divvy out the accolades.

1) New England Patriots- Vince  Wilfork is the best 300 pound athlete I have ever seen, hands down.  A man that size is not supposed to do the things that Wilfork continues to do on a weekly basis.  There are a number of things that stand out when mentioning the star nose tackle; the way he demands a double team, and beats it, the way he can get to the edge after beating an interior lineman to make a tackle for a loss, the way he pushes the pocket by man-handling the center.  The things this man does put him in a class of his own.

Along with being an elite nose in the 3-4 defense, Wilfork has been an above average defensive end in it as well.  Bill Belichick’s creativity with this scheme has been advantageous for Wilfork in allowing the big man to make plays.  Wilfork’s versatility is not common at his size and his play along this defensive line has been crucial to New England’s continued defensive success.  There seems to be this contention that the Patriots defense was poor last year and needs a huge makeover this season.  The Pats were 11th in total defense last season and have brought back mostly all the players that helped get them there.  Vince Wilfork, like all defensive tackles in this scheme, is the heart of the Patriots defense.  This defense goes as he goes, and when he’s going good he is virtually unstoppable. 

2) New York Jets- In any other division in football Kris Jenkins would more than likely be the number one tackle.  Jenkins is an absolute monster and is the quintessential clogger in the middle of the Jets defense.  He always requires a double team because of his immense size and strength.  Jenkins plays with great leverage and is able to penetrate interior lines to make plays in the backfield. 

Coming off of a season ending ACL injury to his left knee, Jenkins needs to come back healthy to help his team.  More importantly, he needs to be in shape.  Recent reports have Jenkins weighing 390 pounds! That’s thirty pounds heavier than his listed weight last season.  As heavy as that sounds, Jenkins will be able to shed that weight in the heat of summer camps.  The Jets had the number one overall defense last season, the best against the pass and 8th vs. the run.  With Jenkins coming back healthy its scary to think that they will see an improvement in these areas.  It is worth noting that the Jets also have  a solid backup in Sione Pouha who played well in Jenkins’ absence last season.

3) Miami Dolphins- The Miami Dolphins were in the top five in rush defense halfway through the 2009 season.  This was directly because of Jason Ferguson the team’s 35 year old captain.  When he was lost for the season in week 12 with a quad injury, the Dolphins saw there run defense, along with its lofty playoff aspirations, crumble.  The run defense dropped to 18th and that number needs to improve if they want to compete in this division. 

Ferguson has returned to the team this year but faces an 8 game suspension due to a PED violation.  His replacement comes from converted defensive end Randy Starks.  Many speculated that reserve nose Paul Soliai would take the vacancy, but the coaching staff saw the drop in production from that spot and were forced to take Starks from the end position and move him inside.  Randy Starks is relatively unknown to the common fan, but in NFL circles he is a great talent who emerged last season at the defensive end slot for the Dolphins in a big way.  Starks plays behind the line of scrimmage and made a ton of plays for this Dolphins defense, but will it translate to defensive tackle?  Starks is stout against the run and is very athletic for his size.  He has a big test ahead of him and the first 8 games of the Dolphins season are brutal.  He will face the likes of the Viking, Jets, Patriots, Bengals, and Ravens.  All of these teams are in the top half of the league in rushing.  If Ferguson has a set back in his rehab, the ninth game of the season is against Chris Johnson and the Titans. The Dolphins need production from this position if they want a shot at he division.

4) Buffalo Bills- The Buffalo Bills will be switching to the 3-4 defense this season.  The Bills were 30th against the run last season and with the new defensive scheme they hope to be more productive.  The changing of the personnel groups will be interesting to watch as this young team tries to get back to its early 90′s prominence. When you look at the Bills roster you see three nose tackles listed; Kyle Williams, Lonnie Harvey, and Torell Troup.  Williams has the most experience (5 yrs) in the group, but I see 2nd round pick Torell Troup out of Central Florida taking the spot this season. 

Troup had a very solid week at the Senior Bowl and impressed coaches with his ability to push the pocket.  He is thought of as a high motor kid with good strength at the point of attack.  Troup was a key reason why UCF ranked 4th in the country against the run last season.  His transition to the nose will be a tall task to take on in this competitive division. The combination of Troup and Williams will be vital if the Bills want to stop the run on a more consistent basis.

He’s Only a Man

So what song is Dwight Howard listening to on his iPod this morning you ask?  Or shall I say what is the song that is the most relevant to how big Dwight feels right now?  Let me break you off with some lyrics a little at a time.

I can’t stand to fly
I’m not that naive
I’m just out to find
The better part of me

Sorry Dwight.  We know you are out looking for some kind of help to make you better.  But this is now two years in a row where your team has laid down on you on the biggest stage.  Last year you made it past an injured Celtics team, only to be embarrassed by the Lakers.  This year the Celtics are saving you that embarrassment and delivering it a little early.

I’m more than a bird…I’m more than a plane
More than some pretty face beside a train
It’s not easy to be me

It must be hard being Superman when your powers are useless.  Maybe the 2010 Celtics are from the planet Krypton.  Or maybe the success you saw in the regular season is null and void because your Orlando Magic are relatively easy to figure out.  Dump it into you, kick it back out, hoist a three, repeat.  That stuff works in the regular season when no one plays defense.  But not in the playoffs.

It may sound absurd…but don’t be naive
Even heroes have the right to bleed
I may be disturbed…but won’t you concede
Even heroes have the right to dream
It’s not easy to be me

It is pretty absurd, Dwight.  You are Superman, right? You reminded the nation of that during your interview with yourself during halftime of Game 1.  You are bleeding and there are no signs of it stopping.  Keep dreaming of winning a title because that is the closest you will get to hoisting a championship trophy above your head.

I’m only a man in a silly red sheet
Digging for kryptonite on this one way street
Only a man in a funny red sheet
Looking for special things inside of me

That’s right, Dwight. You are just a man in a silly skin tight Orlando Magic uniform.  While you are busy looking for special things inside of you, Rondo is chasing down rebounds that you should be getting.  I am not going to attack your offensive game because, frankly, you don’t have one.  But I will question your hustle, heart, and desire to win.  You are the leader of an uninspired team.  If you truly are Superman, you would motivate your team into at least looking like they are trying. 

But that hasn’t and won’t happen.  So, therefore, I agree Superman.  It is not easy to be…you.

Ubuntu over Stars

This post season has been spectacular thus far for the Boston Celtics.  They have taken down 2 superstars in Dwayne Wade and LeBron James.  They are up two games on Dwight Howard.  If I had of been told this between January and February, I would have laughed in your face.  But like a light switch the Celtics were able to turn it on at the right time.  Not because anyone player has stepped up, but because the synergy of the Celtics has reigned supreme.

Sure, Rajon Rondo has played out of his mind and has proven that he is in fact a top five point guard in the League.  But the ability of the team to play around him and for him to set everyone up has been the key to success.  In 2008 Rondo had to learn how to play with The Big Three, and they took home the title that year.  In 2010, The Big Three have learned to play around Rondo, and that has made the difference.  The most telling stat of the Celtics post season thus far is that not one player has led the team in scoring in back to back games.  Its not that the Celtics have too many weapons, they are just a well oiled machine.

The bench play has been spectacular as well.  I am eating my words watching Rasheed Wallace be the defensive stopper I once thought he was.  If he continues to hit his 2 threes a game off the bench and goes down in the post every so often like he has, I have zero reason to complain.  Glen Davis has been able to draw his 2 charges a game by sacrificing his body under the basket and taking away lanes to the basket.  He has played Dwight Howard as well as Perk and Sheed have and that is all the more surprising.  His occasional jumper from 15-18 feet seems like a post season fixture for Davis.

The only unfortunate thing I have seen in these playoffs is that after 5 years in the league, Tony Allen has finally learned his role.  He has played lock down defense on the opposing team’s best scorer and has gotten into the flow of the offense.  Watching him and Rondo run a fast break is a thing of beauty.  Why is this unfortunate?  In comparing 2008 to 2010 Tony Allen is James Posey.  I hate to see Tony go but he is playing himself into a nice contract for himself next season.  But i guess I will take the good with the bad.  In the case the good is far greater than the bad.

The Celtics are 2 wins away from a berth in the NBA Finals hopefully against the Lakers.  6 wins from an NBA title.  All because they are the best team in the world up to this point.  A team that will refuse to lose.  A team that when it is all said and done will have taken down, DWade, King James, Superman, and Kobe.

Jamine “Greedy” Peterson…No Longer a PC Friar

I have just received the most personally devastating news since the day of my birth.  Jamine “Greedy” Peterson has been dismissed from the Providence College men’s basketball team because of, according to head coach Keno Davis,  “a violation of team rules.”  Davis also stated, "Jamine had a productive season in 2009-10. However, regardless of his athletic accomplishments, it is essential to the integrity of the program that every student-athlete meets the high standards and expectations we have at Providence College."

Peterson was undoubtedly PC’s best offensive player throughout the course of the 2009-2010 season, and he was also expected to be a pivotal key to the ascending success of the Providence College basketball program.  As a fan of PC, this loss cuts me pretty deep.  Peterson was my favorite player on the team.  He displayed a mix of offensive post moves, with an improved jump shot, an uncanny ability to crash the glass, as well as highlight reel athleticism that landed him on Sportscenter’s top 10 plays a few times.  But, aside from his physical talent, what I loved most about Greedy Peterson was his quiet but aggressive style of play.  I attended almost every PC home game this past season and never once did I hear Greedy talk any sort of trash.  I rarely saw him complain to the referees and it was even more of a rarity to see him yell at one of him teammates.  Peterson simply came to the Dunkin’ Donuts Center ready to work hard and try and grind one out for him team.  I realize that right now I sound like the head of the Jamine Peterson fan club.  I realize that most of you reading this post may not even be PC Friars basketball fans (if you are a URI fan now is the time to leave this site immediately, before we have any problems).  But, what you may not realize is my level of passion surrounding the Friars’ basketball program.  Starting every November, I devote much energy to hyping up, cheering on, and hoping for Friars’ success.  I stick with the team throughout the course of the season, good or bad.  Most importantly, I never give up hope for the future.

Peterson’s loss was a huge blow to Keno Davis and his staff.  The previous losses of Still and Lacy aren’t so detrimental.  Johnnie Lacy was planning on transferring before he decided to beat up and unsuspecting PC student for no apparent reason (and subsequently expedite his exit from the team).  James Still didn’t contribute much to the Friars in the 2009-2010 season, so his assistance to Lacy, and his soon to be expulsion from school doesn’t have much effect on the basketball program.  But, Peterson being dismissed from the team now leaves the weight of the basketball program (and it’s possible success) on the shoulders of Vincent Council.  Marshon Brooks like he would be the one to step in and pick up the offensive slack, but Marshon Brooks is horrendous.  Im sorry Marshon, you are not Kobe Bryant, you will never be Kobe Bryant, you probably will never be let within fifty feet of Kobe Bryant…so stop trying to be Kobe Bryant!  Council will be a sophomore point guard that is more of a playmaker than a scorer.  But, by the end of last season Coucil cemented himself as the future of the program, and another key piece for Keno to bring in recruits around.  Now that Greedy has been dismissed, much more pressure with be put on highly touted incoming freshmen Gerard Coleman, Joseph Young, Brice Kofane, and Ron Giplaye.  Freshmen that put in big minutes rarely live up to the hype immediately, which spells trouble for the Friars in the upcoming season.  But, as much as people want to start bashing Keno Davis (please realize that Peterson nor Lacy were Keno’s recruits), I’m going to keep faith in his ability to recruit exceptionally well and continue the development of the players that he has on his roster.

Position Rankings (OTA Edition): Wide Receivers

Aside from quarterback, the wide receiver position is the most debated position in the NFL. Whether you have Fitzgerald one, and Andre Johnson two, or whether you still pay homage to Moss and give him the #1 spot, the love affair with this position is never-ending.  Words like diva, prim donna, and even narcissist have been associated with those that play this position. Yet still they are the most loveable and the most hateable players in the NFL.  Chad 85 is no doubt my favorite player in the league from pure spectator standpoint, and while T.O. is as easy to hate as Hitler (too harsh there?), he is no doubt a physical specimen that should be thrusted into the discussion of a top 20 all time athlete. 

In this column, I attempt to rank the wide receiver position in an AFC East that has gone through a complete makeover, most noticeably at this position.  

1) New England Patriots-  I can hear Jets fans cringe and give me a million reasons why they should be number one.  I merely answer in the form of a question, who is YOUR #1?  The New England Patriots have what essentially 30 other team don’t in the NFL, and that is a great quarterback.  With Tom Brady throwing passes, this receiving corps becomes better than everyone in this division and in my opinion, 90% of the league.  Randy Moss will need to be leaned on much more this year, and will have to step up if this team wants to continue to stay atop this division.  Double-teams will not be a surprise as he has been dealing with them since he was drafted.  Julian Edleman has shown signs that he can be arguably as productive as Welker from a reception standpoint.  The areas where he needs to improve are after the catch.  What separates Welker from the rest of the league is his RAC, it is single-handedly the most valuable stat for a receiver when comparing like players.  Losing Welker cannot be ignored, it will hurt, especially on third downs and cheesy awkward furniture commercials.   

The supporting cast for Moss is severely in question by the rest of the league.  Will the two rookie tight ends that New England drafted pan out?  To this question I give an emphatic maybe.   I see Gronkowski out of the Jason Witten mold and Hernandez is sort of a wild card in my opinion.  He isn’t the big target that you want in a tight end, but he makes up for it with athleticism and talent.  Torry Holt is an enigma himself.  Was the awful offense he was a part of in Jacksonville the reason for his poor numbers, is it his age catching up to him, will Tom Brady revive the once stellar career of the most consistent wide out of the early 2000′s?  No one knows the answer to this, but you can’t teach hands, and that will be the last thing to go on an aging wide receiver.  You have to include running backs in this discussion and that is where I think some of the proverbial slack will be picked up.  Kevin Faulk is a very reliable target out of the backfield and should help on those third downs they will miss with a Welker-less cast.

2)  New York Jets-  Now the Dolphins fans start to cringe. I digress, The New York Jets are loaded with weapons.  The biggest issue I have with this position is consistency.  Braylon Edwards is a shell of his 2007 self, and Santonio Holmes still doesn’t get it.  The duo no doubt has the talent and skill set to excel in this league, but they get in their own way when it comes to succeeding.  Edwards has had the drops for the past three seasons and Holmes is turning into the next character spotlight issue.  New York is a much different place than Pittsburg and while Big Ben can fine trouble there, you have to think Holmes will be kept close to his head coaches huge belt.   After exploding onto the scene with his performance in the postseason for the Steelers, former super bowl MVP Santonio Holmes is too good to take off his head phones on a plane?  This doesn’t seem like a big issue I know, but how big of an issue is it to take them off for 10 minutes on a runway?  Holmes needs to grow up fast if he wants to be a star in this league.  His famous, “that’s how you be great” quote after the second best catch in super bowl history, is in complete contradiction to the situation I just mentioned.  A few phrases I can think of in regards to the plane incident; “that’s how you be stupid”, or “that’s how you get fined”, how about  “that’s how you let your team down”.  

 I don’t see a number one receiver on this roster merely two 2′s and a solid three in Cotchery.  Cotchery is very under-valued in my opinion and with a different QB he could put up some serious numbers.  Dustin Keller is key to the success of this group.  He has shown flashes of greatness at the position and has the athleticism to line up all over the field.   His production can take the pressure off of the edges and allow his receivers to flourish.  Ladainian Tomlinson will be a check down machine for Sanchez this season and his addition will help this team convert third downs.   The growth of this group is no doubt stunted by its young quarterback.  The growing pains that he goes through will directly affect this team.  Moving forward I am intrigued to see how both Sanchez grows as a leader, and this wide receiving corps grows as a unit and not as individuals.  The chemistry of this team will be closely watched and it may be the critical factor in the success of this team, or its demise. 

3) Miami Dolphins-  The Dolphins no doubt made the biggest splash this off-season with the addition of Brandon Marshall.  He immediately adds credibility to a group that has had none in the past five seasons.  Marshall is a matchup nightmare and carries the term beast for a reason.  The 6’4″ 230lb target will no doubt help his young quarterback, as well as the rest of his teammates.  Averaging 101 catches in the last three seasons will be challenged this year to a team that has a run first mentality.  It will be interesting to see how offensive coordinator Dan Henning will utilize his new weapon, and try to balance Miami’s offensive attack.

While Marshall’s supporting cast is no doubt weaker than the two teams listed above, the ceiling is also higher in my opinion.  Davone Bess is an amazing slot receiver who should no doubt benefit from the Marshall signing.  He led the Dolphins in receptions last season and is a sure-handed option for Chad Henne.  Bess finished only second to Steve Smith from the New York Giants in third down conversions last season.  Brian Hartline is listed in ESPN’s 3 sophomores to watch list this season for a good reason.  Hartline came on strong last season and made some huge plays for Miami down the stretch.  In my opinion he will win the starting role opposite Marshall this year.  Greg Camarillo will be the fourth option for this unit and while he lacks the physical attributes of the other three in this group, he competes with his hands and non-stop motor.  Camarillo did not drop one pass last season! He most notably made two huge third down catches in the Monday night victory against the Jets on the game winning drive.The tight end position for Miami is a big question mark.  With the huge focus on the running game last season, the tight ends were required to stay in and block most of the time.  They were also left in on passing downs for an extra blocker to give the young quarterback more time to throw.  This season the middle of the field should open up and it is up to Anthony Fasano and Joey Haynos to produce in order to keep defenses honest.  Haynos will be an interesting piece in the passing game this season. He is 6’8″ and has proven to have solid hands.  If his blocking improves it will get him more snaps and opportunities to produce from a receiving standpoint.  Both Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown have contributed in the past as viable options out of the  backfield and that should continue.   Chad Henne now has the weapons in place to show the NFL what he’s got.  This year will prove as a great measuring stick for this young quarterback and his future development.

4) Buffalo Bills- Don’t worry Bills fans, I will be rating the defensive backfield and special teams soon enough.  The Buffalo Bills wide receiving corps have been victim to its bad quarterback play much like the Miami Dolphins in the past.   The Terrell Owens experiment failed miserably last year and Lee Evans has not had a formidable teammate on the other side of him since an aging Eric Moulds.  Evans can be a game changer at times, but there are other times when he fails to show up.  I blame the front office more than anyone for the fall from grace that started in the mid 90′s.  In recent years, this team has not produced an offense with a consistent aerial attack.  Evans has not been able to produce consistently because he has not had a consistent quarterback, or coordinator for that matter.

The second option at receiver for the Bills looks to be in the form of recovering first round pick James Hardy.  Hardy is a huge target at 6’5″ and his torn ACL in week 15 of his rookie season was a huge set back to the receivers development.  Hardy made his way back to the team last season in week 16 and tallied one catch for 9 yards.  This season Hardy, along with the Bills front office, hopes to be that guy across from Evans making an impact.  C.J. Spiller could very well lead this team in receptions this year.  Trent Edwards, if he wins the job, loves to check down to the back, and with Spiller’s explosiveness, he could be the feature in a lot of the Bills packages this season.  The tight ends for this team are a mystery, just like the starter for the upcoming season.

The Truth about LeBron James

While I am fully aware that the Celtics post-season is nowhere near over, I find it necessary to offer opinion of the greatest basketball player in the world after the Celtics had him exit stage right.  While watching the Celtics-Cavs series I, along with the rest of the world, paid particular attention to one LeBron James. After watching the series and reflecting upon it over the past two days, the Staples slogan runs through my head, "That was easy." What made it so easy?  LeBron James is a baby.

I absolutely hate to compare athletes from generation to generation or sport to sport but all I could think of as a reasonable comparison for Lebron was Mike Tyson.  Tyson was the equivalent of a high school bully.  He was someone that would beat the crap out of you and punish you into submission, but if you were able to muster the courage to hit that bully, or Tyson for that matter back,  you were going to be alright.  Just ask Buster Douglas.  Once the boxing world learned this, people went right after Tyson.  The same can be said for LeBron James.  D him up as best you can, take the ball to him, and he will quit because LeBron is a baby.

No longer will there be any conversation about him joining the ranks of all time great NBA players.  The all time great’s are the all time great’s for a reason.  They compete.  Did Larry give up against the Pistons? Hell no. He stole the ball and laid it underneath to DJ for the win.  Did Michael quit? Hell no.  He had a temperature of 103 against the Jazz having Scottie Pippen carry him off the court after scoring 38 points.  You don’t even have to look at the all time greats for players that compete and not give up.  Just this past week, Steve Nash had a black eye so severe it was swollen shut and he still willed his team to victory over the San Antonio Spurs.  Has Lebron or can LeBron do any of this? No.  LeBron is a baby.

Run along to New York LeBron, go get your money and get out of Cleveland.  Abandon the city that you grew up in and that coddled you for your 25 years on this earth.  But never ask to be put into the conversation of all time great players.  Kobe didn’t leave Los Angeles.  Tim didn’t leave San Antonio.  Paul didn’t leave Boston.  You couldn’t wait to get out of Cleveland because you are a wimp.  Your effort was less than cavalier when your team and your city needed you most. 

Yes, we all are witnesses.  We have witnessed what you do when the NBA really matters under the brightest spotlight.  Sure, you proclaimed that you can win the scoring title every year if you wanted to.  Ask Kevin Durant about that.  Sure you can lead your team to the best regular season record time and time again, jumping around and taking mock pictures and giving the 15 minute handshake when things are going well.  But what do you do when the occasion calls for a great player to do great things?  You go 3-14 on your home floor and turn the ball over 9 times.

The truth about you sir, you are a baby and babies do that.