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November 01 2013
Congratulations to Celtics Legend Bill Russell, whose statue was unveiled today at City Hall Plaza in Boston.

October 31 2013
Congratulations to the BOSTON RED SOX, the 2013 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS
October 30 2013
The Games Begin!
Good luck to the Celtics!!

October 29 2013
Sit!  Stay!
Jared Sullinger was suspended by the Celtics from the team's season opener in Toronto after the domestic violence charges wer dismissed.  Reasons for why he was suspended despite the case being dropped range from "making a statement" to "letting him know his behavior has an impact on all of us" to speculation that he was being an asshole, and if people wanted to hear from an asshole, they'd fart.

Nobody is making any specific public statements about what happened between him and his girlfriend, but if he DID physically attack her, she needs to get away from him, and he needs to learn this is not acceptable behavior.  Whether he learns it from family/friends, a doctor, or in jail is irrelevant, as long as the lesson is learned and never needed again.



October 27 2013
This weeks games
The Celtics are about to embark on one of the busiest starts to an NBA schedule anyone can recall in the last few decades.

Wednesday, October 30 7:00pm at the Toronto Raptors
(radio broadcast on WZLX)

Friday, November 01 7:30pm vs the Milwaukee Bucks

Celtics cut Chris Babb

With the departure of Chris Babb, the Celtics have brought the roster down to 14 players, one under the League maximum.  While the specifics of the starting lineup are as yet unknown, the current oveall roster appears to be set--unless Danny Ainge has been making phone calls again...


October 26 2013
Goodbye, Bill Sharman
Bill Sharman, a Celtics Legend passed away this week, and many longtime NBA fans mourn his passing and send hearfelt thoughts and prayers to his family.

October 25 2013
He won't take his balls with him when he goes home.
Back in 2006, the NBA had that unfortunate fling with the microfiber basketballs.  People realizedthat, aside from the fact that the surface of the balls was making the player's hands bloody, it was too difficult to have enough of them made and broken in quickly enough to make this change during the regular season, and quite sensibly went back to the real basketball we know so well.

But next February 1, King David will abdicate his throne...that is, Commissioner Stern will retire after 30 years.  The official balls used by the NBA are signed by the Commissioner.  Given what happened as mentined above, it was decided that the new balls, to be signed by Prince Adam...er, Adam Silver, Stern's handpicked successor, will not be made available until August.

So Adam will spend the first seven months of his tenure--including the Playoffs--using official balls signed by Stern.

Ballsy move guys.

Especially since Stern announced his retirement over a year ago.

They could have arranged for some local leagues to break the new balls in, or added a date, to the signature, or something. But Stern, as always, has to make sure he is front and center, even when stepping down.

The guy can't even take his balls with him when he finally goes home.

Adam, the best advice I can offer is to lose David's phone number and online addresses the moment the transition is official.




Now it's time to waive goodbye...
The Celtics have placed DeShawn Sims, Damen Bell-Holter, and Kammron Taylor on the waiver wire as they bring the roster down to the NBA required 15 players.  There's a lot of discussion back and forth about Chris Babb, but no definitive statement as yet.

Happy Beagle Birthday to Me!
Well, what's the point of running your own website if you can't celebrate a personal milestone now adn then?  I'm enjoying the day, but still keeping up with the Good Guys!


October 23 2013
Happy Finals Days are here again!
Today, the NBA Owners voted unanimously to end the idiotic "2-3-2" Finals format that was foisted upon us in 1985.  Beginning with the 2014 Finals next June, the format goes back to the old "2-2-1-1-1" format, with an extra day off between games 6 and 7.

Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing the Good Guys take full advantage of that in this year's Playoffs.  Makes it much nicer when we Beat L.A.!


Banning the Banners
Recently, former Celtics Coach Doc Rivers took some grief when he hid the Lakers Banners and retired numbers during Clipper home games, instead displaying banners of Clippers players.

Doc is quite right to do this.  When the Clippers are playing a home game, it is their home, NOT the Laker's home.  Clippers players--and their fans--deserve to feel like they are on the Clipper's home court, not a sublet of the Lakers residency.

Celtics fans know a little about this--decades ago, when Delaware North owned both the Boston Garden and the Bruins, they use to make the Celtics take down their growing collection of banners after each game, since it emphasized how relatively bare the Bruin's side of the rafters was.  The foolishness was eventually resolved, and now, fans of both teams can see their teams accomplishments proudly displayed, easy to do since the teams play different sports.

But anyone who thinks this is somehow an insult to the Lakers need to take a moment and think of the YEARS the Clippers spend NOT doing this sensible thing.  If anything, the Lakers should apologize for not doing this sooner.


October 20 2013
Who are you, and what do you DO here, anyway?
I've updated the Coaching staff and Players roster as they stand now.  I fully expect, that having done this, the Celtics will now announce major changes to one or both.

October 16 2013
Cleaning up the past is almost as tough as predicting the future!
The biggest casualty of a major problem with this site was the near-destruction of the predictions list.  Fortunately, I still had the original e-mails from all those seasons, so I've reconstructed--and reformatted--it for easier reading.  The appearance is still a little off, but the info is accurate.  I'll be experimenting with a more recent vintage program to upload stuff--I'm currently using a program that faints in a breeze.

October 7, 2013
It's been a rough time, both as a fan and in real life.

I'm sorry I fell down on a lot of the updates, but I'm getting back on track, and this year's schedule has been updated and I'll be getting the rest of the updates done later this week.

December 11, 2012
Channel changes for this week's games!

The networks are at it again, having decided at the last minute to put Friday's game against Houston on ESPN and Saturday's game against San Antonio on NBAtv.


December 8, 2012
Next week's games, December 9-15 2012

Wednesday, December 12, 8:00pm vs. Dallas Mavericks (ESPN)

Friday, December 14, 8:00pm @ Houston Rockets

Saturday, December 15, 8:30pm @ San Antonio Spurs


December 1,2012

Next week's games, December 2-8 2012

Wednesday, December 05 7:30pm vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Friday, December 07 7:00pm @ Philadelphia 76ers  (ESPN)

 
Saturday, December 08 7:30pm vs. Philadelphia 76ers


November 30 2012
Welcome Back, Kris!

Despite the circumstances, it's good to see Kris Joseph back from the D League for tonight's game!


Whose team is it, anyway?

As mentioned below, San Antonio Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich
did something he's done several times over the last few seasons, sending Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli, Tony Parker, and Danny Green home on a commercial flight to rest up for Saturday's game, instead of having them play last night's nationally televised game in Miami.  In addition, the Spurs were without Stephen Jackson and Kawhi Leonard due to injuries.  So they had nine players on their fourth game in five nights against a fully stocked and rested Miami team.  The Heat only won thanks to a last-minute shot by Ray Allen.

"King David I" warned there would be sanctions forthcoming--presumably egged on by network television executives who didn't care about the other 81 regular season games, or the possibilty of the Playoffs.  Today, the NBA hit the Spurs with a $250,000.00 fine.

David Stern, trying to sound righteous, released a statement that read, "
The result here is dictated by the totality of the facts in this case. The Spurs decided to make four of their top players unavailable for an early-season game that was the team's only regular-season visit to Miami. The team also did this without informing the Heat, the media, or the league office in a timely way. Under these circumstances, I have concluded that the Spurs did a disservice to the league and our fans. "

But King David's decree was WRONG.

David Stern is the NBA Commissioner.  He runs the NBA. 

David Stern does not own the San Antonio Spurs, Peter Holt does. 

David Stern is not the General Manager of the Spurs, R.C Buford is.

Most importantly, David Stern is not the Head Coach of the San Antonio Spurs.

Gregg Popovich is, and has been since 1996. 
He's been named Coach of the Year.  He's taken the Spurs to the Playoffs EVERY SEASON except his first, when he took over midseason from former Head Coach Bob Hill.  He's gotten the team to the Finals four times, winning each of those times.  They've been to the Western Conference five times beyond that.  That means nine out of the last fifteen seasons, they've gotten at least as far as the Western Conference Finals, taking the NBA Championship just under 50% of those trips.  There's teams that haven't done that in their entire existence.

This means that Popovich decides who plays and when.  The only two people who can overturn that decision are Peter Holt and R. C. Buford.  Given Popovich's record, they have wisely shut up and let him do his thing.  I suspect, despite the steepness of this idiotic fine, their first thought might well be, "Screw it, we'll pay the fine, we're going to make more with repeated trips to the Playoffs than the fine will ever cost."

I urge them NOT to pay this or any other fine, or accept any punishment whatsoever.

Either the TEAM--meaning the Owners, GM, and Head Coach--decides who plays and when, or they don't.  If they don't, then let's everyone meekly submit to whatever King David, soon to vacate his throne, orders.

Commissioner Stern, you are wrong.  You once told how Red Auerbach used to begin his phone calls with you by saying, "You idiot, what have you done NOW?"

Well, you idiot, what HAVE you done now?

I'll tell you.  You've overstepped your boundaries because some bottom line greedy fool complained about the national TV broadcast.  For someone who is known to stand your ground even when rational thinking clearly decrees otherwise, you've routinely let the television networks run roughshod over you and the League.

Gregg Popovich does not give a damn about the ratings on tv, national or otherwise.  He does not care if you're offended because his bench nearly took down the media darling Miami Heat.  He is doing what he has ALWAYS done, his JOB.

That job is to make the best decisions to give his team the best chance of winning another Championship.

He doesn't need your advice or your help, and he sure as hell doesn't need your grandstanding and interference.

So, withdraw the fine, make it clear that it is NOT the place of the Commissioner's office to tell Coaches how, if, or when to utilize their players, and sit down, shut up, and enjoy the games.

Your damn 82 game schedule is behind this.  Stop trying to blame someone else for your mistake.  The season is too long, and there are too many teams.  The mounting list of serious player injuries proves this, along with reliable scientific proof to back it up.  But you want more teams and more games.

If you want all that, then let the Coaches decide how to make that happen without crippling the players in the process.

Today, you're fining the Spurs.  Next week, you might whimsically decide that Kevin Garnett needs to play more, and fine the Celtics if they don't follow your unique brand of idiocy.

You are not a Coach, GM or Owner.  You are an Attorney made Commissioner whose job is to run the LEAGUE, not the TEAMS.

So DO your job and let the Owners, GM's and Coaches do THEIRS.



Is it too much?

Last season's abbreviated schedule included some back-to-back-to-back games that left some coaches trying to decide which of the relatively fewer and more meaningful games were the most vital for players who couldn't go three nights in a row anymore.

We've seen a plethora of injuries to players the last three seasons, and this season,in addition to limiting the minutes of Kevin Garnett, Boston has made the initial movements to do the same with Paul Pierce.

For the entire time of his tenure as coach of the Celtics, Doc Rivers has made no secret of the fact that he considers preseason games as no more than a chance to scrimmage against another team, playing with lineups that frequently had nothing to do with his starters. The C's are 29-29 in the last eight seasons of preseason games, but went only 3-5 this year, including a 32 point preseason loss to Philadelphia.

This in a season where the Celtics had supposedly recovered from a vast array of player injuries, several of which ended careers.

But last night something happened in Miami that has gathered the legendary wrath of Commissioner David Stern.  The San Antonio Spurs, playing their 11th road game in November, the sixth game of the current road trip, and the fourth game in five nights, were tired, and would have to travel Friday to play the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.  So Coach Gregg Popovich rolled the dice--as he has done three times last season alone--and sent Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli, Tony Parker, and Danny Green home on a commercial flight to rest up for Saturday's game.  In addition, the Spurs were without Stephen Jackson and Kawhi Leonard due to injuries.

This left the Spurs with nine players against the well-rested Miami Heat. Even playing thin, San Antonio nearly won, if not for a three point shot by Ray Allen going in (the only time that happened last night) with 22.3 seconds left in the game, with the Heat ultimately winning 105-100.

As I mentioned, Popovich has done this before.  In the lockout season (and referring specifically to that season), NBA Deputy Commissioner (and Heir Apparent to King David I) Adam Silver said, "The strategic resting of particular players on particular nights is within the discretion of the teams.  And Gregg Popovich is probably the last coach that I could second-guess."

But there are two problems now.  First, is the overwhelmingly obvious cases of cheating pervasive in the minds of fans, particularly the two Badminton teams tossed from this year's Olympics for trying to throw matches to get seeding against lesser teams in the later rounds.  They tried SO hard, anyone with a functioning brain cell could see the obvious.  There were other such cases, in and out of the Olympics.

The second problem is one of "dynamic pricing", which basically means you pay more to see good teams come to town that the crappy ones.  Let's face it, nobody is going to shell out the same money for the Wizards as for the Celtics.  But that means, to an extent, you are paying to see some of the best players.

When Popovich sent his starting lineup home, some people felt he was cheating the customers.  He acknowledged that he was aware of this but his chief concern was the team itself, and presumably having an overall winning season.  Keep in mind that Miami is an Eastern Conference team, while Memphis is in the same Division as the Spurs.  Like it or not, the Memphis game is more important to win by comparison, to the Spurs.

And we're not talking about tanking games, which is cheating.  The coaches, more and more, are managing minutes instead of coaching games.  The end result sometimes comes down to, do you keep your main guy in to try to win a close but relatively less important game, or have him ready for the next game with the Division rival?  Because more often of late, you can't do both.

Popovich has made his position clear.  Doc Rivers hasn't quite done this, but the logical conclusion is there, and frankly, that conclusion is a lot closer than anyone wants to think.

David Stern may well be upset at this, but there's frankly nothing in the rules that says coaches can't do this, so long as the games stay competitive.  The fact that the Heat needed a last minute three point shot by Ray Allen, the NBA leader in such shots, to win, tells me the game was more than competitive.  The Heat, on paper, should have crushed the undermanned Spurs, but were nearly beaten.  So Popovich obviously has a deep enough team to do this, at least once in a while.

But the main problem is more insidious and more difficult to resolve.  There are simply too many teams and too many games.  The NBA bent over happily to let the woeful New Jersey Nets be reinvented in Brooklyn, but the owner is pouring oceans of money into the team and basically saying to hell with the salary cap.  Most owners can't do that anymore, not under the new CBA so acrimoniously put into place last year.

The League needs fewer teams and/or fewer games.  Stern has always been proud of the 82 game regular season schedule that lets every team visit every other team at least once.  This is too much anymore, not with playoffs taking months to complete, and preseason games that start a month before the regular season starts.  Teams are even going to other countries now.  FIBA recently changed it's entire Olympic qualifying process to accommodate the overlong NBA season so that those players could compete.

It's too much.  If the League won't cut teams, then cut games.  Nobody needs to play the same teams four times every year.  Cut it to two or three.  This would open up the schedule, and allow players to either actually practice--or rest--between games. The League makes billions of the teams.  Slicing a minute fraction off will hurt nobody.  Fill the open arena dates with other events so the vendors don't lose money, and you even get a better variety of things happening all across the country.  Everyone wins, and there will be no need for resting players during games, since there will be time in between them.

Otherwise, this will continue to happen, and if you don't think the Spurs will happily pay a fine to keep doing what they're doing, think again.  They'll make more by winning games and playoff series than they'll EVER lose to fines.


November 29, 2012
The League gives Rondo a pass.

To my utter amazement--and, I'm sure, the howls of everyone on the Brooklyn Nets--Rajon Rondo received word this afternoon of his punishment for fighting: a two game suspension, to be served in this weekend's games vs. Portland and Milwaukee.  Kevin Garnett was fined $25,000.00 for "escalating the altercation".

To say that he was fortunate is understating it.  Nets GM Billy King has already made it clear he disagrees with the decision, though perhaps he was simply opposed to the $35,000 fine for Gerald Wallace.  But Rondo has to know he is very lucky not to have been given a much harsher punishment.  Danny Ainge has already commented that he thinks it unlikely that Rondo will appeal.  I agree.  Take the relatively light punishment and be glad it wasn't a lot more.

For the moment, Rondo has the public support of Ainge, Coach Doc Rivers, and his teammates for his passion, even if they wish it was better focused on the court.  But Rondo also has the attention of the League office now, and he has to step VERY carefully.  Another such transgression will make a major punishment unavoidable.  He needs to publicly show he's learned his lesson.


Fighting the wrong fight.

Last night, as the Celtics were in the process of losing to the Brooklyn Nets, a fight broke out just before Halftime.  Kevin Garnett was going up with the ball to score when Kris Humphries decided it was a good idea to take KG down in midair, sending Garnett into the press row underneath the basket, as Humphries stood just inbounds, ignoring what he'd done.

Rajon Rondo, standing a few feet away, moved forward, and with both arms extended, pushed Humphries out of bounds and off the court.  Humphries grabbed Rondo's jersey as he went back, and both of them ended up in a tangle, pushing at each other in the third row.

Gerald Wallace was running toward the group, only to be thrown aside by Garnett, who had (fortunately) quickly recovered from the (in my opinion flagrant) hard foul.  They grappled as others, including security guards, tried to separate them.

It took a less than a minute for order to be restored, but the damage was done.

The C's were having a frustrating night, and let things get to them.  Rondo and Humphries were automatoically ejected because the fight went into the stands, even though no punches were thrown.  Gerald Wallace was ejected because it was his second Technical foul of the night.  Garnett avoided the same fate only because he had no Technical fouls prior to that.

While part of me appreciates that Rondo stood up for his teammate, he went too far.  Literally.  After the public relations disaster following the fight between the Pacers and Pistons a few years back, the NBA has come down with both feet on any major physical altercation that goes into the stands.

The referee Crew Chief at the game, James Capers, further stated after the game that, "Rondo initiated everything that proceeded after the foul."  That means that as far as the officials are concerned, Rondo escalated matters when he walked over and gave Humphries that two handed shove.

The thing is, they're right.  Rondo DID escalate it, but it's going to be costly to him and the team.  In addition to his automatic ejection--which while it didn't doom the C's chances of winning the game, certainly hurt the team signifigantly--he will definitely be fined, that's a foregone conclusion, the only question being how much, and that will be determined by how long his suspension will be.

And without question, he will be suspended.  Rondo's occasional inability to control his temper has gotten him in trouble before, and at this stage of his career, the NBA is likely disinclined to be softhearted.  I think the C's and Rondo will be lucky if there isn't a whopper of a suspension, 10 games or more.  The League really doesn't play around with this sort of thing, not anymore.  If Rondo is made to sit 5 games or less, he should be grateful and sit the games out quietly. 

But whatever happens, he has to realize that his actions, while perhaps personally appreciated by his teammates, need to be tempered so they don't hurt the team.  He's the starting Point Guard, and Leandro Barbosa is not equipped to take his place for extended periods.  Therefore, Rondo HAS to be in the game--in mind as well as body.  He can't afford to let his passions overrule his common sense.

But now, instead of practicing and planning for the back to back games Friday and Saturday, the team has to make contingency plans for a prolonged absence for Rondo, which almost certainly means calling up a man or two from the "D" League, and probably means Paul Pierce will have to help out Barbosa at the point.  Pierce can do it--has has, on many occasions, but he's older now, and Doc Rivers is starting to limit his minutes as he does for Garnett.  That's counterproductive if he's having to cover Rondo's expected absence.

So let's hope the lesson is well-learned and not too expensive.  The team needs Rondo, but ONLY if he can keep his emotions in check.  The next time he wants to retaliate for something, do it by winning the game, not getting thrown out of it.  I think his teammates will appreciate that more.



November 25, 2012
Condolences to Kevin McHale and his family.
Kevin Mchale's daughter, 23 year old Alexandra "Sasha" McHale, died yesterday, having battled Lupus, and had been recently hospitalized with a related condition.

We hope that all basketball fans will join in sending thought, prayers and condolences to the McHale family.


November 23, 2012
Next week's games - November 25-December 01

Sunday, November 25 6:00pm @ Orlando Magic

Wednesday, November 28 7:30pm vs. Brooklyn Nets (NBAtv)

Friday, November 30 7:30pm vs. Portland Trailblazers

Saturday, December 01 8:30pm @ Milwaukee Bucks


November 21, 2012
Gone Darko
Darko Milicic has been granted his request to be waived by the Celtics, so he can care for his ill mother.  The fact is, the C's weren't really playing him anyway, so the roster spot can now be filled with someone that can help the C's now, instead of some nebulous point in the future.

Doc Rivers hasn't yet talked to Danny Ainge about if or when the spot will be filled, and not even a wild guess, much less a formal announcement, about a potential replacement has been made.

As for Darko, hopefully, his mother's illness will soon abate, and things will be better for him and his family.


November 17, 2012
Next week's games
Sunday, November 18 7:30pm @ Detroit Pistons

Wednesday, November 21 7:30pm vs. San Antonio Spurs

Friday, November 23 7:30pm vs. Oklahoma City Thunder  (NBAtv)


November 10, 2012
Next week's games

Monday, November 12 8:00pm @ Chicago Bulls

Wednesday, November 14 7:30pm vs Utah Jazz

Thursday, November 15 8:00pm @ Brooklyn Nets (TNT)

Saturday, November 17 12:30pm vs Toronto Raptors




November 7, 2012

This time for SURE!
As of tonight's game, the Predictions list is FULLY closed.  For those who complained about the extension, there were NO "late" predictions, so the list now is EXACTLY as it was on Opening night.


November 4, 2012

This week's games:
Wednesday, November 07 7:30pm vs. Washington Wizards

Friday, November 09 7:30pm vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Saturday, November 10 8:30pm @ Milwaukee Bucks


October 30, 2012

As of now, the CBW 2012-13 Predictions list is CLOSED.
The ONLY exception to this is for people unable to make a prediction due to the storm.  They will have until 7:30pm Eastern Time November 7 to make a prediciton and it must be based on the team circumstances prior to tonight's game.

A few people have complained about my doing this.  I'm not talking about extending it for people who forgot, or didn't bother, but who got stranded by the extraordinary conditions.  There are people out there with no electricity, no water, no communications, no means of getting out of wherever they are due to floodwaters, or snowfall measured in FEET overnight.  I'm giving them a break.  They're fellow fans who might be in a very tough situation. 
I hope everyone is OK, and nobody will need the extension.


YAY!  It's time for the first game of the season!
YAHOOOOOOOIE!
Yeah, I've been waiting for this.
GO CELTICS!


Predictions deadline clarification
After some further thought--and some input from other people--I'm clarifying the extended deadline for predictions.  If you have already made a prediction, the original deadline of 8:00pm tonight stands to make any changes.

If you have NOT made a prediction due to weather-related matters, you have until November 7 to make it, BUT the prediction MUST be reasonably based on the conditions prior to tonight's game--that is, should, God forbid, a player or players go down with serious injury, you cannot revise your prediction downward.  Likewise, if they wipe the floor with the Heat, you can't increase your prediction.

I'm counting on people to be honorable and do the right thing.  We have a good group of people, and I'm willing to bet in their favor in this.  In any case, this is likely to only affect a handful of people at most.

Thanks to everyone who participates, we'll have a great time, and hopefully, a great season as well.


October 29, 2012
CBW Predictions deadline is postponed.
 
  After reading of the likely extent of damage from Hurricane Sandy, and realizing some people like to traditionally wait until the last minute to make a prediction, I've decided they shouldn't be penalized if they lose power, or are stuck away from their computers due to the widespread planetary delays created by the storm.


        Therefore, I've pushed back the CBW Predictions deadline to Wednesday November 7, at 7:30pm.  This is the date of the Celtics' 4th regular season game vs. the Washington Wizards.  You have until the tip-off of that game to make predictions.

        I hope all of you remain safe before, during, and after the storm.



This Week's Games

Tuesday, October 30 8:00pm @ Miami Heat (TNT broadcast)
Friday, November 02 7:30pm vs. Milwaukee Bucks (Home Opener)
Saturday, November 03 7:00pm @ Washington Wizards


October 26, 2012
Waive Good-bye
Micah Downs and Rob Kurz have officially been released by the Celtics today, ending a week of absolutely no speculation whatsoever.  Still, we wish them well.


October 25, 2012
Beagle Day
Today is my birthday, which I'm proud to share with Snoopy (October 2), Paul Simon and Paul Pierce (October 13).


October 21, 2012
Let the games begin!
The Good Guys ended their preseason with a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in Albany, New York.  No, I have no idea why we had to to go New York to play Philly.  But then, I have no idea about much of the NBA schedule.

We have a leisurely nine days before opening night.  Time to take a deep breath and get ready for the real thing.


October 18, 2012

CBW Editorial: WADA you taking with your protein shake?
WADA thinks the NBA should let them conduct drug testing THEIR way.  Why?

Tonight's game is on TNT!
Tonight's preseason matchup against the recently transplanted Brooklyn Nets will be broadcast on TNT.


October 17, 2012
Leandro Barbosa joins the Celtics.
Today, the Celtics signed Leandro Barbosa to a one year contract.  I've updated the roster to include him, but since the Celtics own site hasn't made an update, I have no idea what his player number will be with Boston, though he wore # 20 with the Pacers last season.

Are you ready yet?
In a demonstration that someone in the NBA really has too much free time on their hands, the League today instituted a 90 second time limit for the various pregame rituals players (and some coaches) undergo before each game.  Apparently some people feel that taking a few minutes to shake hands with your opponents, or your teammates makes the game run too long, so 90 seconds after player introductions, if they're not ready for tip-off, a delay of game warning will be issued.  Personally, I wonder if they can do that if the game hasn't even started yet.

Additionally, if they REALLY want to speed up the game, let's kill off the plethora of commercials.  The "TV timeout", especially in nationally broadcast games, is stupid and pointless.


October 16, 2012

Roster changed!

I should have known.  The day I finally get the roster updated and uploaded, the Celtics cut Jamar Smith and Dionte Christmas from the team.  There's no word on whether the Celtics will immediately name replacements.

It's been a long, long time.

I've had kind of a rough year.  On top of other things happening totally unrelated to this site, a major problem killed most of the updates I'd made last season, along with the backup here on my computer. Then, circumstances conspired to keep me from fixing things a lot sooner.  I've been rebuilding things and started updating stuff in the last couple of weeks.

Of immediate importance is the new schedule and the Predictions list, which is now open.

As this week progresses, I'll clean up the roster and some other things.

Thanks to everyone for being patient.


January 1, 2012
HAPPY NEW YEAR!


The Good Guys rang in the new year with a decisive win over the Washington Wizards, whom they will face again tomorrow night!  Let's make oit two for tweo!

December 28, 2011
CHANNEL CHANGE

Tonight's game vs. New Orleans is no longer on NBAtv.
It's on the regular League Pass, same start time.
Can you network guys PLEASE stop making these last second changes while people are trying to adjust to this wacked out schedule?

December 26, 2011
ROSTERS IN PENCIL

With changes literally taking place a few days before the start of the season, I waited until now to update the Celtics roster--and they STILL haven't assigned a number to the newest guy yet--and he might be playing tomorrow night!


December 25, 2011
WAAH!

Game one was a tough loss.  Had the Good Guys played a little tougher in the first quarter they would likely have won this, no matter HOW screwy Joey Crawford's officiating got.

Predictions list closed!
Accompanying the shortest season in over a decade was the shortest Predictions list in the sme amount of time.  Thanks to all who did participate, and to the rest, I hope to see you next season!


December 19, 2011
THE 2011-2012 PREDICTIONS LIST IS OPEN!
 
Congratulations to:
 Jonathan Branin, Rick Daley, Karl Dillinger, Douglas342, Michael Gooen, R Howe, John Lyell, and Dwain Williams
the winners of the 2009-10 predictions!


December 14, 2011
NBA LEAGUE PASS NOW AVAILABLE
While the NBA's own site has no information beyond that fact as yet--they say there will be more detail tomorrow (Thursday, December 15)--by way of various sources, is the following information:

The normal "Whole NBA" pass will be $169, with a free preview lasting through either January 3 or 8, depending on who you talk to.  I'm told the broadband/phone app thingys will be added for free. never mind the cost.

I have no info about whether there will even BE a half season pass this year,

There will--supposedly--be a discounted version on nba.com/roku where you can stream games from your choice of five teams for $109.  I know almost nothing about it's viability or quality.  I'd love to hear from someone who's actually used this service.

Nothing about this is at all certain.  Enough credible sources are giving this info that I think it's solid.

I went to the website for my own cable company at 10:11pm Wednesday night and there's no new information at all.

Given all this, I urge anyone interested to please contact their provider directly tomorrow for more accurate details.  As soon as I know something more certain, I'll mention it here.


December 12, 2011
The new schedule is up
I've also included national broadcasts in Canada, at least as regards the Toronto Raptors vs the Celtics.


Well, we DID say they needed their heads examined...

The NBA has instituted a new policy regarding concussions, as reported by ESPN.com:

"Before the opening of preseason games, each player will undergo baseline testing, which aids in the diagnosis of potential concussions. Players and coaches will take part in annual training and will have to sign acknowledgment forms that they understand the importance of reporting symptoms.

"Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, an associate professor of neurology at the University of Michigan, will serve as director of the NBA's concussion program. He is instructing team medical personnel on the tests to conduct if a player is suspected of having a concussion. The players must be examined in a quiet location free of distractions.

"If a player is diagnosed with a concussion, he will have to complete a series of steps to confirm that he's healthy enough for competition. Once he is free of symptoms, the player must make it through increasing stages of exertion -- from a stationary bike, to jogging, to agility work, to non-contact team drills -- while ensuring the symptoms don't return after each one. Then the neurologist hired to lead the NBA's concussion program needs to be consulted before the player is cleared.

The process will likely take at least several days, if not weeks."

After what happened to Brian Scalabrine, I'm glad the NBA is at last formalizing this for all teams, instead of each team dealing with this differently--or not at all.  Moreover after some of the horror stories we've heard from the NFL, this sounds like a REALLY good idea.


November 14,2011
The answer is NO.


The Players Association has rejected the Owner's list of demands disguised as a contract offer, and has begun the process of disbanding the Union as a prelude to beginning antitrust la
wsuits against the NBA.


While I personally want to see Basketball games resume, I've never believed in "peace at any cost", be it here or anywhere.

For those of you who, like me, hold the Owners responsible for this situation, I give you the Telephone Number for NBA Headquarters:


212 407-8000

Please let all your family and friends know, so they can call, as I already have, to let them know just how badly they screwed up.

And a side note to the Hardline Owners like Michael Jordan...I hope they kick your collective asses in court.


November 7, 2011

The Celtics Beagle Lockout Tour

December 26 Update--since the League came sonewhat to it's senses, the tour was cut short.


November 4, 2011
 
A Conversation with Mom

Two years ago last Christmas, my mom was diagnosed with Cancer.  At the time, they gave her a few weeks to live.  But they didn't know her very well.  She was the one who taught me to be a Celtics fan.
 
She'd turn on the radio and we'd listen to Johnny Most while she explained all the rules of the game to me.  She told me who the players were, and most importantly, that Lakers were a Bad Thing.

She talked Dad into putting up a hoop and backboard, even though we lived in a neighborhood where Baseball was unquestionably the most popular sport, with Hockey a close second.  I was the only kid on my block who really cared about the Celtics.  Mom was always willing to talk about the games.

As years went on, and the excitement of the early 1980's gave way to the thoroughly depressing years with Rick Pitino, who told us who wasn't walking through that door--as mom and I wished Pitino WOULD go though it and not let it slam him in the ass on the way out--to the slow, faltering attempt to rebuild, we would call each other and inevitably talk about the Celtics.

When Bob Cousy--her favorite player--was doing a book signing near her, I let her know so she could get a copy and have him sign it.  A week later, the book I thought she had at home arrived in the mail--autographed to both of us.

Then came the turnaround season and a roaring run to the Championship, which mom and I celebrated together by phone as each game was played.  When the Celtics destroyed the Despised Lakers, we celebrated from the center court with Garnett and Bill Russell, and laughed at Brian Scalabrine's impromptu press conference.  We watched the parade, me on the internet, Mom in person.

Then, Mom got the diagnosis, in the midst of other medical problems, which made a dire situiation even tougher.  When she called with the news, I tried not to make it any harder on her.  Other friends and relatives had been through this, we both knew what lay ahead.  We knew that some people used music or comedy to get through it.  But the answer was as clear as a Bob Cousy free throw.

By mutual agreement, beyond a basic "how are you doing" we didn't talk about her illness unless she had specific news. Our calls were about our team, how they were doing, and what we wished they did more of.  She was the kind of person who agreed wholeheartedly with 99% of everything Tom Heinsohn said during a broadcast and was known to throw things at the tv if the C's didn't play well enough.

But finally, this past season, she was too sick to stay home, and moved into a hospice.  The calls were less frequent, as she was less able to have long conversations about anything.  Last May, as the Celtics were making one last Playoff run, her season came to an end.

I know that she'd be as annoyed as I am about the lockout.  She'd be grousing that they should stop talking the business of Basketball and get back to playing the actual game of Basketball.  She would grumble that if Red were still around, he'd knock some sense into both sides, and wonder why they didn't just let Tommy Heinsohn decide the best way for all sides to go.  I know that because that's what happened during the last lockout.

Anyway, people say that when someone dies, that it's occasionally a good thing to write them a letter.  Well, we knew how we felt about each other, and we got to say our good-byes.  So what else to write about?

What else?

Mom, the Celtics are very vocal on both sides of the Lockout.  Wyc is a relative moderate among owners, and Pierce and Garnett have been shaking things up on the player's side.  God knows why they put a $&&^^%*%*^# Laker in charge of the players, the fools.  King David Stern the First is throwing new tantrums each week as his legacy becomes one of cancelled games.  Billy Hunter still thinks this is a personal grudge match in revenge for the last lockout, and Delonte West is working at Home Depot.

Doc and Danny will have a LOT of work ahead of them trying to bring the team together again--whenever that happens.  I'm still hoping there'll be an NBA season this year, but some doomsayers are already wondering how many of NEXT season's games will be cancelled.

The good news is, I saved a bunch of money not having to get the NBA League Pass yet.  In the meantime, I'm watching old games on tape, and a few more on DVD, and enjoying the Good Old Days.

I figure you're with Red, waiting once more for Bill Russell, so you can put together a team to win Championships in Heaven.  I'll let you know when the season gets started and who ends up on the team when the dust settles.  Meanwhile, have fun, have chocolate. And don't play HORSE with Red.  He cheats.



November 1, 2011

An open letter to ALL participants on the NBA Contract Negotiations
 

Locked Away

This is an open letter to both Players and Owners.  I hope someone reads this to both sides during a meeting, as a reminder of what’s REALLY at stake here.

 

Today is November 1, 2011.

 

For the fans, this is the day the lockout became all too real.  After hearing and reading about missed deadlines, lines in the sand, lines of credit, and lines about how sorry everyone supposedly is, I decided to write a few lines of my own.

 

When the Owners decided to shut down the NBA, you didn’t lock out the Players.

 

You locked out the FANS.

 

When the Players stormed out of a potential deal, you also walked out on the FANS.

 

After all, in the end, it’s not the Owners who pay the Players, it’s us.  WE pay for you to play.  Moreover, it’s not the TV networks, etc that generate so-called “Basketball-Related Income”,  WE generate that, when we subscribe to the League Pass, or buy tickets to games, or purchase various things at the stores.

 

WE make it possible for Owners to make money, and for Players to make a living playing Basketball.  Believe me, we fans would love to have a deal like you guys have.  WE live on a lot less income, with no leverage to increase it by ANY decently measurable amount, much less numbers like you’ve been arguing about.

 

You can’t decide on a split between 50-53%?

 

Fine.  Give it back to us.  Return some of the cost of season tickets to those who paid up faithfully, and institute a serious price cut for the League Pass for the rest of us.  Remember guys, the NFL GAVE their League pass to fans in return for their foolishness.  I doubt you guys will be so generous, since you’ve all been clinging to every dollar like you have no idea hot to pay for your next trip to the grocery store.

 

I’m a second generation Celtics fan. Around the world, there are more like me, as well as fans of other teams.  WE really don’t CARE who started it.

 

WE want it STOPPED.

 

Stop behaving like three year olds throwing a temper tantrum open the doors and play the game.  Because we’re rapidly getting tired of being locked out and are discovering equally fulfilling things to do with our time, and our money. 

 

And time, as you keep saying without truly realizing, is running out.



October 24, 2010
Wheeze, pant, cough...

OK, I'm having to rebuild things that I thought had been successfully updated some time ago.  And that's going to take some time, since I ALSO have to do the latest updates for the new season.

I need a minion, damnit.



December 05 2009
The Celtics were luckier than they knew three years ago.

As we enjoy the current success of the Celtics, I want to take you back for a moment to three years ago.

It's late June, and the Celtics, after a horrible season lowlighted by Paul Pierce suffering a serious injury that saw an extended losing streak unfold, fans had been looking forward to the idea of perhaps getting some payback from the Tim Duncan lottery blowup by having a choice between Greg Oden and Kevin Durant, had just learned that the Celtics would be drafting 5th in a two man dream draft.

Danny Ainge took that pick, and (against my specific opinion at the time, not that he ever read that) traded the draft rights to Jeff Green--along with players Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West--to get Ray Allen and Glen Davis.

This trade was followed in short order by the trade that brought Kevin Garnett to the Celtics, and one year later, Banner 17 came home.

Greg Oden, meantime, went to the Portland Trailblazers, who had netted a top pick for the second year running.

But Greg's rookie season was a disaster.  Microfracture surgery on his right knee sidelined him the whole season.  His next season was slightly better, as he only missed 20 games with two different injuries, one to his foot, and the other a bone chip in his left knee.

This year, his third season is now likely ended after he fractured his left patella during a game against the Houston Rockets.

Back in 2007, along with oodles of other Celtics fans, I thought the Good Guys had been very unlucky not to get the chance to draft Oden.

Tonight, as we seem to be having another outstanding season despite our share of injuries, I think maybe we were luckier than we knew.

And that's the view from the doghouse.



November 08, 2009
Net Gain

After a dismal loss to the Phoenix Suns, the Good Guys returned to their winning ways, beating a New Jersey Nets team that was barely able to field the League Minimum eight players between injury and illness.  A combination of fatigue--eight games in 12 days--and some really sloppy play kept the Nets in the game until the 4th quarter, when the C's were able to pull just far enough away for the defense to keep the Nets scoreless for the final three minutes of the game.



October 24, 2009
Starting again...

A new season is upon us, and with it, hopefully a fresh start for the CBW.  The new Predictions list is opened and updated as of today.

The 2009-10 schedule is up, and for the first time, includes Canadian television broadcasts.

There'll be more changes and upgrades as we go.  They would have been done already, but somebody hacked into this site and some cleaning up needed to be done.

I'll get more done this weekend, after taking some time to celebrate my birthday tomorrow.




Arnold Jacob "Red" Auerbach
Basketball Legend
September 20, 1917 - October 28, 2006
"And the day will come when,
Stooped with Age and Steeped with Life,
I must bring my days to an end.
Let me not weep over times of sadness,
Nor curse the battles lost,
Nor mourn the tasks unfinished.
Rather, let me dance joyful in happiness,
Roar my celebration in Victory,
Revel in the work well done.
Should you ask, "Would you do this again?"
Let me not vacillate, picking and choosing portions.
I will dare to do it all, live my whole life, again.
For the most crushing agonies of life's defeats
Was my strength's source to achieve life's victories."
--Mike Buckley, 2006   used with permisssion of the author

Measure Once, Cut Twice, or, NBA Division Math
It's a good idea to remind everyone--myself included--about the NBA's current Divisional alignment and Playoff seeding.  Here's how the divisions go now, with the official explanation following:


Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division: Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors

Central Division: Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks

Southeast Division: Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Bobcats, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards

Western Conference

Southwest Division: Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Hornets, San Antonio Spurs

Northwest Division: Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trailblazers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz


Pacific Division: Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings

Under this plan, teams will play divisional opponents four times each (two home games/two road games), conference opponents outside the division three or four times each and opponents outside the conference two times each (one home game/one road game).

The three regular season divisional winners in each conference will earn a playoff berth and one of the conference’s top three playoff seeds based on regular season record. The remaining five playoff berths for each conference will be based on regular season records with no regard to divisional alignment.

Home court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs will be based solely on regular season record, not playoff seeding, thus a divisional winner that has a higher playoff seed than an opponent will not necessarily have home court advantage in the playoff series.


What changed?  Not much, as far as the regular season goes.  The teams still play 82 regular season games.  Boston is even still in it's original division.  The C's will still play WC teams twice a year, home and away.  Some of the teams outside the division we might see only three times a year instead of four--it'll depend on the schedule.


The big change comes in the playoffs.  There are now three potential Divisions to win instead of two, with each Division winner guaranteed a playoff berth and one of the top three conference playoff seedings.  The remaining five spots are based on regular season records, as they are now.

A word about game reviews
As is obvious to one and all, I've fallen far behind.  The problem is one of health--and stamina.  I record the games--and zap commercials in the process.  Then, I have to watch the games again to review them--this in order to replay crucial possessions, get a better look at who did what, and so on.  Then I start typing up and posting the review.  From start to finish, that takes 5-6 hours per game (including needed breaks).  Right now, I'm doing well to watch the initial game before falling over.

I WILL be reviewing all the games AND putting them up here--but it's going to take some time.  People have been phenomanally patient about this and I wanted to let everyone know I appreciate it.  I have already decided that the major offseason project will be catching up on any reviews not done, with the goal of having everything caught up before the start of next season. The good news is, once they're up, they'll STAY up, and you can compare games from different seasons, etc., to your heart's content.

Celtics Season Series team by team:

Atlanta Hawks   Atlanta Hawks
Charlotte Bobcats   Charlotte Bobcats
Chicago Bulls   Chicago Bulls
Cleveland Cavaliers   Cleveland Cavaliers
Dallas Mavericks   Dallas Mavericks
Denver Nuggets   Denver Nuggets
Detroit Pistons   Detroit Pistons
Golden State Warriors   Golden State Warriors
Houston Rockets   Houston Rockets
Indiana Pacers   Indiana Pacers
Los Angeles Clippers  Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Lakers   Los Angeles Lakers
Memphis Grizzlies   Memphis Grizzlies
Miami Heat   Miami Heat
Milwaukee Bucks   Milwaukee Bucks
Minnesota Timberwolves   Minnesota Timberwolves
New Jersey Nets   Brooklyn Nets
New Orleans Hornets  New Orleans Hornets
New York Knickerbockers   New York Knicks
Oklahoma City Thunder   Oklahoma City Thunder
Orlando Magic   Orlando Magic
Philadelphia 76ers   Philadelphia 76ers
Phoenix Suns   Phoenix Suns
Portland Trailblazers   Portland Trailblazers
Sacramento Kings   Sacramento Kings
San Antonio Spurs   San Antonio Spurs
Toronto Raptors   Toronto Raptors
Utah Jazz   Utah Jazz

Washington
                                                          Wizards   Washington Wizards

This not-for-profit page is intended for Celtics fans to enjoy. This site was created by me and is maintained by me. 
Anything not a statistical fact is individual opinion.


Snoopy & the round-headed kid--er, Charlie Brown--were created by Charles M. Schulz,
and are copyrighted by United Features Syndicate, Inc.  Please visit The Official Peanuts Website!


The Boston Celtics and all other team names, logos, etc., are copyrighted by the NBA.
Please visit the Official site of the Boston Celtics!


The Celtics list on IGTC.com was created and is maintained on by Paul Moriarty.  Please visit the Official IGTC.com site!
The Celtic Stuff list at Yahoo was created and is maintained by Jim Metz.  Please visit the Official  Celtics Stuff site!

The names of those on the predictions list have not relinquished their right to privacy.  Do NOT send unsolicited e-mail!

Extra Special Thanks to Mrs. Celtics Beagle for putting up with the funny looking kid with the big nose.

Special Thanks to Kim Malo for her help and patience in making this site "A Better Place To Be".

Special Thanks to Paul Moriarty for creating the Celtics list on IGTC and not giving up.

Special Thanks to Bob Chin for his permission to use several of the cool pics used here on the site.


Thanks to the following people, places, and things ("nouns" seems too impersonal...) for various reasons:


Mom & Dad
, without whom I wouldn't be here, and you'd have a heck of a time getting to this page.


My sister
, who is smarter than she ever gives herself credit for.


Harry Chapin for teaching me to Do Something.


Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel
for "Bridge Over Troubled Water".


Charles M. Schulz
for being exactly like I hoped a cartoonist would be.


Kent G. Orlando (Cheeks the Toy Wonder)
, who proved that websites can be a form of Art and Free Speech--and still fun.


Boston Radio Station
WUMB for introducing me to the music of Stan Rogers, Christine Lavin, Cindy Kallett and John Gorka.


Walter Brown
for betting everything he had on the Boston Celtics.


Red Auerbach
for putting up with the neck-deep sh---er, stuff---from subsequent owners.


Johnny Most
for all those great moments.


Bob Cousy
for being my mom's favorite player.


Dave Campiti
for keeping the magic in comic books alive.  Please visit his Glass House Graphics website.


Finally, to Bill Cooper
for those incredible game reviews of seasons past.