Barstool Blog

  On Friday night the Atlanta Hawks completed the regular season sweep of the Celtics.  Apparently they are still stewing over that first round exit we handed them two seasons ago, as they clearly raise their level of play when given the opportunity to silence some of the C's biggest trash talkers in Garnett, Pierce, and Rasheed Wallace.  What a difference a few years makes.  In the 2008 playoffs, after the Celtics trounced the Hawks in Game 7 at the Garden, the C's snickered at the notion of a renewed Hawks/Celtics rivalry.  It turns out the Celtics may have been on to something, because two years later and it still isn't a rivalry because the Hawks officially own the Celtics.  Two games at home, two on the road, four extremely dibilitating losses that have left the Celtics looking for answers.  Unfortunately, there isn't much time to dwell with the defending World Champion Lakers coming to town on Sunday.

  At this point, most Celtic fans have either hit the panic button or have their hand in the ready position.  Aside from Marquis Daniels, the team is almost completely healthy, yet at the end of some of these recent games they look like a banged up, and tired group.  It is concerning that this team can't seem to finish a game, especially after playing so well through the first 3 quarters or so.  Two years ago the Celtics would suffocate teams before they could show any signs of mounting a comeback against them.  They would enter halftime up by 15, and finish the third quarter with a 25 point cushion. They literally never stopped imposing their will.  Recently they don't have that same mentality.  Maybe it's health, maybe it's not being hungry, or maybe their just gettting older.  I really don't know at this point.  But, I do have a hard time believing that this team is just going to completely fall apart.  I mean, they came out of the gates as the best team in basketball, and there is way too much character, and pride in that lockerroom for things to derail this abruptly.

  So, it's two games into the C's most crucial 3-game stretch, and their 0-2.  If KG and Co. are tired of hearing that their window of opportunity is closing, they will need to beat the Lakers tomorrow afternoon.  If Eddie house makes a few shots, Rasheed actually plays in the paint, and they eliminate the fourth quarter turnovers things might be a whole lot easier for them during tomorrow's matinee.  Time for the Celts to get some of that "swag" back that helped them become the most hated team in the association.  Another loss could be devastating, especially with the trade-deadline looming, and a GM who is always willing to listen to offers.

  The NBA All-Star game is fast approaching, which brings the Celtics season to somewhere near the half-way point, and about 10 games off the pace of 72 wins, sorry Rasheed.  In Heinsight, all of those pre-season prognosticatons may seem silly now, but there were some discussions of this club flirting with that mark held by the '96 Bulls.  A couple of months, and a plethora of injuries later and this year's edition of the Green Team are virtually limping into the break. Big Baby misses the first two months, Marquis Daniels hardly played at all, and KG racked up the DNP's with (oh no, don't tell me) another leg injury.  These unfortunate setbacks, coupled with the teams seeming inability to play well at home, and we should probably be content with holding the 2nd best record in the conference.

  Despite the injuries and the occasional lack of chemistry, there is a silver-lining; the fact that it is January, not April.  This team has ample time to get healthy, reel off some wins, and officially put LeBron, Kobe, and the rest of the association on notice, that the C's are on mission to regain the Larry O'Brien Trophy in June.  The Celtics have one major advantage over other teams in the league; they understand that if the play defense, they will win.  It sounds simple, but most teams in the NBA really haven't figured that whole concept out.  Every team in the league can put up points, which is why on any given night, any team can win.  However, the teams that consistently play defense give themselves a chance to win every night, regardless of how they are playing offensively.  With one of the best defensive big men of all time, Kevin Garnett, along with Rondo's speed and ability to get into passing lanes, the Celtics already have some of the essential components of a great defensive team.  When you add in a defensive minded coach, a great interior presence in Perkins, and a couple of future hall of famers in Pierce and Allen who have completely bought into the defensive mindset, the Celtics have little excuse for not reaching their final destination. 

  Interestingly there is even more incentive for the guys to play great 'D', it ultimately leads to fast-break points, transition threes, and 12-20 point runs that can instantly break your opponents will.  When KG and Perk are blocking shots, and Rondo's causing havoc with his long arms and speed, this team is at it's best.  There is nothing more demoralizing than losing the ball on a few possesions and watching your opponent score 6, 10, or even 15 unanswered points.  It's not only basketball at it's best, but it's Celtics basketball at it's best, and it's our only chance at another championship.

  The NFC title game figures to be a shoot-out between to of the most explosive quarterbacks in football, the Saints' Drew Brees and Brett Favre of the Minnnesota Vikings.  Both teams can (and will) find the endzone, but neither defense should be overlooked, with both having the capability of causing turnovers, awarding their quarterbacks with great field position, and even finding pay-dirt.  On paper, this looks like a wash, but New Orleans may possess the 'x' factor, in the form of the nearly 75,000 Saints fans that have been patiently waiting their chance to become Superbowl contenders, not just long time, gracious hosts of the leagues geatest show.  There are a lot of loud stadiums in the league, and today two of the loudest will be on display, in Lucas Oil Field and the Superdome.  While Indianapolis, with maybe a little artificial help is going to be extremely racous, it's difficult to imagine anything being loader than the "Dome", as it's referred to by the natives.  And those natives have a lot to cheer about, as a trip to the superbowl may be the most symbolic manner for the entire state of Lousianna to say "we're back", after the lasting effects of Hurrican Katrina just a few years ago.

  Much like the Saints, the Minnesota Vikings have long waited for a shot at the Vince Lombardi Trophy.  And much like the Saints they have the potential to become a Patriot fan's pick to beat either the Jets or Colts, unfortuately they have one of the most selfish, polarizing, and unlikable people in sports as their signal caller, Brett Favre.  I know that I physically can't take two full weeks of Brett Favre coverage, including stories of being a good ole' boy from the south, or just another guy in the locker room.  Throw in a couple of lame Wrangler commercials and I'm officially starting to get queezey, along with a couple hundred thousand Packer fans, who are likely still in disbelief that this jerk is possibly taking their most hated rival all the way to the superbowl.  If you think it sucks being a Patriots fan today, imagine being from Green Bay, Wisconsin, ouch.

Anways, it's prediction time, as Pre game shows are officially flooding the television networks.  I think the defenses in this game will cause some turnovers, and ulitamtely neutralize some of the big-plays by both offenses.  I've been waiting all year for Favre to give us a vintage performance and this week he will deliver, with maybe a fumble and let's say three picks, seemingly crapping his pants like he did in his last NFC Championship appearance in '08.  Prediction:  Vikings 20 Saints 31

   We're just a few days away from football's conference championships, and I'm struggling with the idea of pulling for either the Jets or Colts, which may ultimately become a game-time decision for me.  I'm pretty sure I'm not the only Patriots fan who is wrestling with this one, as two of our most hated rivals will be vying for a trip to South Beach.  On the one hand, we have the J-E-T-S, who have been our virtual punching bag over the last 8-10 years.  Well, maybe "punching bag" is a little harsh, I mean they have been competitive in some of those seasons, but we have basically owned that division over the last decade, and even Fireman Ed can't dispute that.  As much as it pains me to say it, this current Jet team does share some similarities to the '01 Patriots, who went on a cinderella run to their first superbowl title.  They may not be the best team in these playoffs, but their coach sure has them believing they are, and in the world of competive sports that still counts for something.  The fact is, those players would run through a wall for that guy, and with the speed and physical nature of that defense they just may present enough problems for Peyton and Co. to force the upset.

   Oh the other hand, there's the Colts, arguably our biggest nemesis over the past 10-15 years.  Although we may have had their number in the first part of the decade, things have seemingly turned in their favor since the '04 season, with the Colts always finding a way to come out on top in these matchups.  There have been some epic duels between these two team during that span.  Unfortunately, we have likely made a conscious effort to erase these game from our memory, as they have also become some of the most heartbreaking losses in Patriot history.  In fact, too painful for me to even go down the list, but I'll give you some words just to trigger your memories; Reche Caldwell, Marlin Jackson, and 4th and 2.  Anyways, the colts have now found a defense to complement their offense, a missing component during all the years they fell short at the hands of the Patriots.  Manning is playing the best football of his career, and if anyone can handle all of the blitzes and quirky packages Rex Ryan can dream of, it's him.  The Jets may come in loose and confident, but that won't get them very far if Manning is zoned in, and Sanchez can't handle the speed of the Colts D and that crowd noise inside the dome.

   Although I still don't know who to pull for, as I find the notion of either team in the superbowl nauseating, I do have an opinion on the eventual outcome of this game.  I think Manning may struggle with the Jet defense in the first half, but in-true Peyton fashion will make the proper adjustments and find a way to put points on the board.  This, coupled with a few Mark Sanchez turnovers, should put the colts through.  Prediction:  Jets 17  Colts 27

Not a bad day of sports to get this blog rollin', except if you're a New England Sports fan, who gets to look forward to an AFC championship game between the Colts and Jets.  The Jets?  Seriously?  As if getting fleeced by the Ravens last weekend wasn't bad enough, now we get to watch Rex Ryan do the truffle-shuffle all the way to Indianapolis, and dare I say Miami for the big dance.  Wow, just a few weeks ago the Jets were all but mathematically eliminated and now they're one game away from SB XXXIV. I guess Kevin Garnett was right, anythings possible.  But don't worry Pats fans, because if the Jets don't make it, we'll get to watch Peyton Manning in the Superbowl, along with the 48 different commercials he's currently featured in.  Are you excited for those Superbowl gatherings yet?  No?  Well, how does watching the biggest fraud in pro-sports, Brett Favre, go for his second superbowl trophy?  I mean it's easy to root for a guy who has officially retired/unretired every offseason since 1998.  This guy cares about one person, and that's himself, something Viking fans will understand when he holds the franchise hostage while he ponders his next retirement.  After analyzing all of the despressing potential scenarios for this years Superbowl, a provide you with a glimmer of hope, the New Orleans Saints.  If there is a New England Sports fan that isn't pulling for this team to go all the way then I strongly suggest you re-evaluate your sports allegiances.  Yea, I understand that you likely feel no ties to the boys from the bayou, but when you consider the alternatives, we all should be wearing black and gold next sunday, and right through to February 7, we hope.

Next, it's on to the green team.  In my opinion, our best chance at a title for at least the forseeable future is the Celtics.  And not because I drink the green kool-aid, wear Celtics boxer shorts, or have Rondo's autograph next to my bed, but because they're legit contenders.  Unfortunately, we really haven't seen what this team can do with major injuries ultimately impeeding the teams chemistry.  Hopefully, post all-star break this team will get healthy, solidify their rotation, and make another run at their 18th title.  One thing is certain, if the C's can get everyone back to full strength the sky is the limit, and there's no reason they shouldn't be rolling down Boylston st. in late June on those ridiculous duck boats.  Gotta love Beantown baby. 

That's all for now folks as I'm officially exhausted.  Hey, watching sports is hard work.