Bruins,Celtics heading in different directions

We are some lucky fans to have two current Boston professional teams in their conference semifinals respectively. These two teams have gotten to their current spot in two totally different fashions. Let's start with the Celtics first.

The Celtics' drive for 18 began in October with a win over the newly designed Miami Heat. The team has been through a roller coaster ride since. The team pulled off a huge and scrutinized deal at the trading deadline dealing Nate Robinson, and team cornerstone Kendrick Perkins for Jeff Green and Nenad Kristic. Both of these newcomers have been solid contributors off the bench but all the fans and experts still claim without Perkins the Celts would be facing an early playoff exit.

The Celtics proved them wrong in round one against the new look New York Knicks. The Knicks acquired Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups in a midseason trade that brought all of their fans out of the woodwork. The Celtics quickly crushed New York's spirit with a pair of buzzer-beater wins while Billups went down with a leg injury. The Celtics continued to roll sweeping the Knicks out of the first round in four games. This set up the matchup everyone was waiting for..Heat vs. Celtics.

This series has been hyped since last July when LeChoke James and Chris "looks like a Dinosaur" Bosh signed with the Heat and Dwayne Wade with their "Dream team". They had a rock concert to announce the signings and have had a target on their back from the rest of America ever since. The Celtics' older team is looking to stay together for two to three years more and win a few more rings. The series has not gotten off to the start Boston was looking for as they are in a quick 2-0 hole after a pair of 99-90 and 102-91 losses. The haters are out in full force as they are saying this series belongs to the Heat and the Celtics are done. This is far from the truth as the Celtics lost two on the road which is what is supposed to happen. The pressure is on as they now need to hold serve at home but history tells us they will find a way to do so. Ray Allen, Rondo,and Pierce all have injuries to fight through. History is on the Celtics side though and I believe they will win.

Our Boston Bruins couldn't be any more different from the basketball team they share a building with. They began their first round series against hated rival the Montreal "Diving" Canadians. They quickly lost their first two games at home and seemed dead and gone. They then won 3 straight to take a 3-2 series lead showing grit and determination that lead to a regulation,OT and double OT victory. They then lost game 6 on a bunch of horseshit calls and diving before winning an OT thriller in game 7 to win a series no one thought they could win after the first two games. They have carried this momentum into their next series as they have quickly won 2 road games to grab control of the series against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Contrary to the Celtics, history is not on the Bruins' side.It was just last May that they blew a 3-0 series lead against these same Flyers in the same round. The Bruins should have all the confidence in the world right now but there are doubters everywhere reminding them of last year. I am not saying they won't win this series because they will. This team is the most determined team in the playoffs since those first two games and losses to Montreal. Our two Boston sports teams couldn't be any different trend-wise right now but the great thing about sports is that this could change in one game or one period/quarter. They couldn't have a different history either with the Celtics winning 6 NBA titles since the Bruins last won the Stanley Cup in 71-72. The Bruins have five titles in history compared to the Celtics' 17. They are very different but I believe in both. It is a great time to be a Boston sports fan. Let's hope the Bruins stay the course and finish off these Philly fucks. Then let's watch the Celts turn it around at home and even up the series against this team of pricks.

Are the NBA Playoffs Rigged?

(Donaghy and the Rapist)

Don't jump down my throat for writing this post. I just think that it has become apparent to just about anybody who has watched 5 minutes of these playoffs that the refs are playing as big if not a bigger role than the players. Now, I'm not trying to imply that playing good basketball, tough defense and effective offense are no longer necessary to win games. I'm just saying that refereeing can take an otherwise even game and make it lopsided. Anyways, let's check the stats.

During the 09-10 regular season, the Celtics averaged 22.1 personal fouls a game. During the 2010 playoffs, they have averaged 25 (24.9) personal fouls a game. That doesn't seem too significant until you break it down by series - in the first round, the Celtics averaged 18.1 personal fouls per game. That's a full 7 fouls off the playoff average. Against the Cavs in the Conference Semis, that number went up a full 9 fouls to 27.2 per game. Are you telling me that the Celtics played less physically against Miami? Please. Now I'd give you a little write up of the Magic series but the guys over at Bleacher Report did a better job than I possibly could. Read Up.

Now this brings us to the Finals. So far, it has been another display in game-changing refereeing. In Game 1, both Ray Allen and Paul Pierce had 5 fouls - and they were called early and often. This rendered both players ineffective in the game, as they had to spend most of the game on the bench. Compare that to the Lakers - who only had Lamar Odom in foul trouble with 5 fouls. And it's not like Odom plays a big role now with Bynum and Gasol playing in front of him. In Game 2, Kobe Bryant got in foul trouble early and spent most of the game playing pretty soft as a result. This allowed Ray Allen to run free and pour in 8 three pointers, leading the Celtics to victory. In Game 3 (which just concluded), Garnett, Pierce, and Rondo were all in foul trouble from the outset, while Kobe had 0 fouls until midway through the 3rd quarter. Many of the fouls called against the Celtics were incredibly questionable, including many slight touch fouls (I'm thinking of a foul called on Rajon Rondo where he supposedly "hit" Kobe's elbow. I'd say it was less of a hit and more of a...well nothing. He didn't touch him.

So what does this tell us? Well, I think it says this. In the Miami series, the NBA wanted the Celtics to move on. In the Cleveland series, the NBA wanted to see Lebron advance (preferably to the Finals against Kobe). Against the Magic, they wanted to see Dwight Howard get a rematch of last year's finals (and at least to extend the series to 6 or 7 games). And now, the NBA clearly wants the Lakers to win but wants the series to go as long as possible. We will wait to see how this plays out, but I'm willing to bet anything the refs continue to dictate the flow of this series.

If you wanna read a little more on this, check this link out .

P.S. Kobe went 10 for 29 tonight. That's almost exactly 34% shooting. Fuck if my coach didn't pull me off the court every time i missed 5 straight shots I could be as good as Kobe Bryant too.

I've Already Got the Broom Out

Not even kidding. When Paul Pierce says they are gonna finish this series at home, I believe him. The broom is already out and ready to go. So far in this Eastern Conference finals, the Celtics have been dominating this supposedly untouchable Magic team. Sure the games have been close but that's only because we feel like making the games interesting. It's no fun to just win every game by 20 points so the Celts let the Magic think they have a chance at winning, only to slam the door in the final minutes. Of course, it helps when Vince Carter chokes at the free throw line in the final minutes of the game, but no big deal. Honestly, I haven't been that impressed with this Orlando team so far. Carter has been playing decently but nothing special. Howard had a good game 2 but has not been the force he was during the regular season. Rashard Lewis has looked like absolute garbage, Jameer Nelson hasn't played like anything other than a mediocre point guard, and Matt Barnes has been completely forgettable.  Oh and JJ Redick? The same little girl he was at Duke. For the life of me I cannot understand how the Magic had not lost a game so far in the playoffs until now. They have been playing hard but have honestly not been impressive. Which leads me to believe that Paul Pierce's prediction will hold true. As El Pres over at Barstool Sports already proclaimed, "BEAT LA"!