Those Who Can’t Play, Write.
By Chad Brown
In honor of the Boston Celtics 17th NBA Championship, and in advance of a month without SI.com’s Peter King’s “Ten Things I Think I Think”, here are 17 “Chadisms” on the happenings of sports and other stuff since my last post, not necessarily in chronological order. Then it’s off to prepare more inaccuracies for the 2008 NFL season -- barring any congressional hearings.
1. Congratulations to the Celtics on their aforementioned title. They deserve it, hands down. Thanks also to the New York Giants. If they hadn’t pulled off the Super Bowl upset against the New England Patriots, the sports nation might’ve forced Boston to secede, just to give the other MLB, NBA and NFL cities a title shot.
2. What a difference a year makes for Beantown. A year ago at this time, Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants were just leaving Fenway, Paul Pierce was more likely on his way out than Kevin Garnett was on his way in, nobody quite knew what to expect from Randy Moss, and I couldn’t zoom in on Camera Two to save my life. (Ask anybody at BU’s Sports Institute). Well, most of those scenarios worked out okay for the aforementioned teams. Although I still can’t operate Camera Two.
3. These Celtics remind me of the 1999 St. Louis Rams team that went from worst to first. Even though the team struggled in the later rounds of the playoffs (including the Super Bowl), the powers that be gutted the worst team in the division, brought in proven superstars, sporting the conference’s best record. Even though Isaac Bruce didn’t win the MVP like Pierce, here were two franchise players who both played well and were banged up during the franchises lean years. And on the biggest stage, they did everything within their power to clinch a championship. Different decade, different town, different glitz factor, same result.
4. The second half of Game 4 and the final 3 quarters of Game 6—not to mention an agonizing stretch of Game 5 should put all Kobe Bryant-Michael Jordan comparisons to bed. Still a great player, but not the defining moment he and the Lakers faithful anticipated.
5. The Zen Master didn’t fare much better than the MVP. Doc Rivers’ coaching job rendered Phil Jackson into Obi-Wan Kenobi about to get cut down by Darth Vader. For the most part, he had his team ready to play against the beasts of the Western Conference, but he rarely had an answer against Boston. Heck, the Phil Jackson from any of the three-peat Bulls and Shaq-Kobe Lakers would’ve had this series under control.
6. To paraphrase an early, early, early Simpsons episode, Ray Allen’s resurrection in the Finals was the greatest comeback since Lazarus rose from the dead.
7. Pierce for Finals MVP and VP? I know the latter isn’t happening, just putting it out there. Heck, a black man’s running for president and Doc represented for all the brothers and fathers in coaching to the title.
8. Nice bit of redemption for Rondo and KG in Game 6, not to mention the Big Ticket’s postgame repertoire—a classic interview with Michelle Tafoya, warm embrace with Bill Russell and the bully/lunch money analogy. Almost enough to make one forget his putrid Game 5 performance. On the other hand, we can partially forgive it because he didn’t run and hide afterwards.
9. We’d better not read about Bill Simmons complaining about anything having to do with Boston Sports again. Having said that, his NBA Finals Recaps are a must read. OK, once the victory parade is over, it’s back to hating on Boston, Sports Guy.
10. The antics of certain NFL receiver divas are starting to get on my nerves. Now, let me just say that A) these are mini-camps/OTAs which, while important, aren’t the same as training camp and B) I’m not talking about T.O. here, although his behavior a few years ago certainly established the template. Players like Chad Johnson, Plaxico Burress and even Bobby Engram would be wise to follow the example of recently retired Michael Strahan and Jonathan Ogden on how to conduct themselves. Different positions and personas, but there’s a difference between being classy and, well, you know…
11. Now let’s get this straight. Arlen Specter was willing to use congressional resources to expand the Spygate probe, but has no interest in looking into the NBA referee scandal? As for Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter’s “asterisk” rant about the Patriots on NFL Live, he might be onto something, except for the fact that his next big play for Miami will be his first.
12. PacMan in ’07, now Javon Walker in ’08? NFL players need to just give Vegas an extended rest. Ok, not happening anytime soon, but this stuff has got to stop. We’re well past the “before somebody gets hurt” phase.
13. Spin it however you like, but Jeremy Shockey will probably not be in a Giants uniform by the start of the ’08 season. While I think this is a mistake, considering the man can still play when not hurling ice or insults, it’s understandable why the move should be made. Tiki Barber and Strahan’s retirements in the past couple of years have made this Eli Manning’s team, for better or worse, and it remains to be seen if Shockey is willing or able to get with that program.
14. The firing of Willie Randolph was a joke. No need to go into further details, as AlphaBlog’s EIC Justin Grant has done an excellent job, but it goes to show how clueless New York sports franchises can be when firing coaches/general managers. Timing and tact. You don’t want to fire the man on Father’s Day, fine, but at 3:15 am after a win on a west coast trip? They might as well have fired him after last year’s historic collapse. Just as the Giants should’ve parted ways Jim Fassel after the wild card collapse in the ’02 postseason and the Jets could’ve shipped Herm to KC after the debacle in the ’05 Divisional Playoffs in Pittsburgh. Not saying that any of these decisions are/were right, but each franchise would’ve been spared a mockery of a season/half season.
15. Memo to Jason Taylor; I’ve got no problem with your Dancing With The Stars stint, but being MIA from the Dolphins this offseason was probably not the way to get a much deserved trade to a contender. Nor was announcing your intent to play one more year before calling it a career. Memo to Bill Parcells; you’re definitely not out of touch with today’s players when it comes to football-related matters. But you might’ve been just a l’il bit stubborn with your handling of this matter. Players have lives in the offseason now; it’s a fact, Tuna. Having said that, come game time, all will probably be well, one way or another.
16. It’s a shame that we won’t have the Immortal Tiger Woods to watch for the remainder of the golf season, but that performance was one for the ages. This playoff story is one that non-golf fans will be telling their children and grandchildren about in years to come.
17. Gotta conclude this post by paying respect to the recently departed Charlie Jones, Jim McKay and Tim Russert. The broadcast industry and the country won’t be the same without them. I’m especially saddened that Russert won’t be around to help keep both sides on their toes in the upcoming presidential election, as well as guide the country through some uncharted territory. Here’s hoping that his beloved Buffalo Bills can at least break .500 for him this coming season.
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