Celtics are Champs

Congrats to the Boston Celtics for winning the title, and big props go to Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce for getting their rings (and oh yes you too Sam Cassell). But first thing is first, and I must eat some crow.



On a post dated 11/01/2007, I wrote the following...



"Green Kool*Aid
Don't Sip the Kool*Aid on the Boston Celtics this year!Before the Celtics tip off their season, I just want to put it out there that I am not going to sip on that green kool-aid, celtic flavor. I do not think the Celtics will win the NBA Championship, nor do I think they will win the East. Sure, the Celtics will be a tough team to play against, but they draw similar comparisons to the '03-'04 LA Lakers. The Lakers team that included Kobe, Shaq, Karl Malone,and Gary Payton."





Boy, was I wrong.



Not only was this team the complete real deal composed of 3 superstars who each scaled back their egos and games to compliment each other, but their role players were ideal for this team. Savy Vets like Cassell and PJ Brown, lock-down defender like James Posey, 3-point threats like Eddie House and Tony Allen, and young big men like Leon Powe, Big Baby, and Kendrick Perkins and oh yes an ever improving point guard in Rajon Rondo all contributed significantly to the title run.



I did predict the Celtics to win the finals and I did feel that they were not receiving enough credit against the Lakers, and the C's basically exploited every Laker weakness and forced Kobe into countless uncomforatable offensive situations.

These are the finals the NBA wanted and I do not think it is to far-fetched to predict a repeat finals next year. This was one of the most compelling NBA seasons in recent memory with the parity in the West, the return on Celtic basketball, the Hornets, Chris Paul emerging, Lebron continuing to improve, new stars like Kevin Durant and Brandon Roy, and oh yes the NBA still has a guy named Greg Oden waiting to debut.

More thoughts on the Finals to come. But for now, I wanna hear your thoughts on the Finals!

NBA Contract Buyouts

There has been a new trend in the NBA over the last few years and it has been the "contract buyout". Let me begin by saying that I have a big gripe with this.

When has it become acceptable for a player to demand a buyout so he can go to a different team? When a player is under contract, they should have to fulfill their contract, no matter how crappy a team is!

For example, last season Chris Webber was disgruntled with the 76ers, negotiated a huge monetary buyout and one week later is playing on a championship contending team, the Detroit Pistons! Excuse me, but i don't care how much service time you have "C-Webb" or your desire to play for a contending team, but you fulfill your duties.

Several players have found themselves in a situation this season that has involved the buyout. Jamal Magloire (from NJ to Dallas), Brent Barry (Seattle to SA again), Flip Murray (Detroit to Indiana). However, the most notable situation has been SAM I AM CASSELL.

Cassell has been lobbying for a buyout for several weeks now so that he can sign with Boston to make another run at a championship. Cassell was satisfied when the Clips were making a playoff push 2 years, but since has soured on the team. I don't wanna hear that he is nearing the end of his career and wants to make another run at a ring with the PGA Tour (Pierce-Garnett-Allen), who also just signed PJ Brown for the stretch run, because he already has two rings from his early days with the Rockets!

Personally, I think the whole "buyout" phase needs to end soon, and the least thing a player can do is honor his contract.


...til next time

-E