"The Weekend that Was"
Unfortunetly, the sporting world was let down in regards to the 2 game 7's that took place on Sunday. In the early game, the Lakers embarassed the Rockets 89-70 in a game that wasn't even as close as the 19 point difference suggests. This gives us the more appealing Western Conference Finals matchup as the Lakers will get the well rested Denver Nuggets. In the East, things didn't go as planned for the defending champs and for that matter the NBA executives. The Celtics fell to the Magic 101-82 and the dream rematch of last year, Celtics/Cavaliers will have to be played out on PS3 and not reality. You have to believe David Stern and the NBA was pulling for the Celtics, knowing full well that a rematch of last year's best playoff series would have drawn insane ratings.
I watched the entire Celtics game and there is only 1 reason why the Magic beat the Celtics. It's not because Patrick Ewing guaranteed victory and its not because Dwight Howard has the largest shoulders in the world. It's because the Celtics played terrible defense. The Magic were 13 of 21 on 3 point shots. That's unheard of, but the reason was they were getting open looks left and right. The Celtics rotation defense was atrocious and every time a Magic player would drive to the hoop, the help defense would leave their players and result in a dish out to the 3 point line for a clean shot. Clearly they were missing Kevin Garnett, and you can assume that if Garnett was man-ing the paint that the Celtics would be more inclined to allow the drive and see if Garnett could alter the shot. However, I have to say this about the Celtics, and it has nothing to with the execution of the game. Did anyone watch the pre-game introductions? Unbelievable. Between the dimming of the lights, the video that is showed on the jumbotron, and 50 cent beat in the background, that place must have been jumping. But apparently it wasn't enough.
"The Blogger Formerly Known As..."
If you read my last blog on Saturday night then you certainly read my email crossfire with the Hurricane. His topics of conversation have sparked some debate and I felt it was necessary to get a little bio of the man, the myth, the legend. In his time he has been known as "Wild Bill", "Slick Willie" and of course "the Hurricane". A few things everyone should know is that he is a Boston die hard, his old man played in the NFL, he can't beat me at Madden, and he's one hell of a model American. And as for his nickname the Hurricane, the best way I can explain it is by this simple equation.....the Hurricane = Frank the Tank.
So Here We Go...My name is Will went by 'Cane but my handle now is Willie Beamen. Its a little bit more comfortable for every one in my life to put the Hurricane years behind us. Willie Beamen is an alter ego that enjoys socially acceptable behavior as well as some random weekends of madness. Not to mention, in the end my hurricane was a bit more like..."Look, look at this. We got Hurricane Grace moving north off the Atlantic seaboard. Huge... getting massive. Two, this low south of Sable Island, ready to explode. Look at this. Three, a fresh cold front swooping down from Canada. But it's caught a ride on the jetstream... and is motoring hell-bent towards the Atlantic. What if Hurricane Grace runs smack into it? Add to the scenario this baby off Sable Island, scrounging for energy. She'll start feeding off both the Canadian cold front... and Hurricane Grace. You could be a meteorologist all your life... and never see something like this. It would be a disaster of epic proportions. It would be... the perfect storm."
Having cleared up the name issue we must deal with the KG situation. I have a mild respect for Pistol Pete Pasquale but can not understand what is wrong with the heart and passion of an athlete. The last time I payed attention to sports i noticed that the one thing that pisses me off is that most of the overpaid freaks could look and end up acting like they could care less about how their teamates do. I think it is refreshing to see one of the Best players of all time acting like he would run out on the floor and slash someones throat only so his team can win. I am a Celtics fan so I have a serious bias for the guy who came to town, tirelessly busted his ass, has never been in trouble and only cares about the fact that the most fun thing about sports is WINNING!!!!! I just cant understand how it is possible for a former athlete who has been out on the battle field who must know that the worst thing in the world is to watch your teamates go to war and know that there is nothing you can do. I know Caz knows what that is like and I know what its like. But my girlfriend is here and my birthday was last night and I am having trouble typing this email because I need to puke...
Beamen NDP 103
I would like to officially welcome to the blog Willie Beamen. and FYI...NDP 103 is the name of the block that Willie lives on. You all have permission to treat that as a gang sign
"Picks of the Unknown Gambler"
What a showing from our resident gambler MP4. He parlayed his fast start on the blog to a move into rarified air by improving to a career winning percentage of .667. You can expect new picks for you to take to the bank on Wednesay. Today we are blessed with a glimpse into his betting strategy. We all should consider ourselves very fortunate because in many ways succesful gamblers are like magicians. They usually never tell us how they do what they do. Well this section is like when Fox shows the magician who wears a mask and changes his voice to reveal the tricks of the trade. So here's today insight from MP4......
Tips Even David Abernathy Could Use.
Some food for thought when putting your lunch money on Professional Dopers:
Know your ballpark. A regulation basketball court is 90' long and 50' wide weather you're in L.A. or French Lick, baseball not quite. Home field advantage in baseball is unlike that seen in any other sport, so you gotta know about that short porch in right. And (I know you are not suppose to starts sentences with "And", but its a blog and I'm doing it) with inter league play right around the corner, that means Daniel Murphy playing balls off the Green Monstah, which should be good for about 2-3 more extra runs in that series. So here are some quick facts that should be printed out and tacked to the wall of your cube, right next to the phone directory and your Jose Reyes bobblehead.
The Known "Hitters" Parks:
1. Rangers Park in Arlington - this park, that lineup, and the staff that couldn't start for Prudential Prime, helped the Rangers and the opposition lead the league in runs scored per game to a tune of 12.3 in 2008.
2. Coors Field - my grandmother even knows that balls fly outta this park. The silver bullet has ranked in the top 5 for runs scored since Donte Bichette was raking it. Usually in the range between 10 - 11 runs per game. By the way how the hell did the Rockies make the World Series in 2007? And wasn't Troy Tulawitzki (I am not looking up how to spell that, so just deal with it) supposed to be the next Derek Jeter?
3. Fenway Pahk - The main reason Dustin Pedroia has an MVP trophy and Mike Lowell is still functional. Hit it off the wall. (Brett Gardner has more home runs than David Ortiz, had to get this in here somewhere. I would say why I think that, but that would be Yellow Journalism, and unlike Ed Werder I don't support that.)
Dont Sleep On:
1. Comerica Park - no whit, straight facts, 10.3 runs per game last year.
2. US Cellular Field - 10.0 runs per game on the south side of the tracks. Been to the south side one time, but this is a family blog.
3. The Roman Collesiu...I mean The New Yankee Stadium - how many years will it be before we can get back to just calling it Yankee Stadium? Exit Stage Right. I'm sure you've heard but apparently jet stream studies are under way. Here is something you should get used to hearing: "Its an A-bomb for A-rod". To right center of course.
Seems like your playing in Central Park:
1. Chavez Ravine - aka Juan Pierrewood. Saw the fewest runs scored per game last year at 7.6.
2. Petco Park - I have the MLB package, I watched the Padres for an entire season one year, I did not see a ball grace the warning track. 7.7 runs per game. Poor Adrien Gonzolez.
3. Oakland - the amount of foul territory in this stadium is measured in acres. 7.9 runs per game.
Dont Sleep On:
1. Miller Park - Cant say I saw this one coming, but the numbers dont lie, they bet. 8.6 runs per game in '08.
2. Citi Field @ Ebbets Field - Its early, and I can't tell if its the stadium or the Mets staff that is dead nasty. I'm leaning towards the park though. Duaner Sanchez just got designated for assignment, quick, call a cab.
In all the "Hitters Parks" I mentioned the over hit at a rate of close to 60%, same deal goes with the pitchers parks. Looks like the under in Celts game just hit. Time for bed. But a word to the wise. If I know this, you better bet (no, I'm not addicted) Vegas knows that. Actually do bet that, and lock it up....MP4
After this piece was submitted, the following conversation took place...
MP4: Caz, you didnt do any Red Sox editing on my piece did you?
Me: I do not censor, things go in "as submitted". we here at ETC. ETC. ETC. strictly adhere to the first amendment of the constitution of the united states of america.
MP4: glad to hear it, first class organization.
Pasquale: there is no place for a reporter like ed werder on this blog.
this little diddy is needed in case anyone thinks these are not actual contributions from real people. It also proves that we are quite unique people.
"What to Expect When Your Expecting"
- Top 10 Movies I Hate
- Dicky's Gripes
- Pasquale's Fab 5
- Video of Day
- MP4's Pick
That will do it for today's post. I will try and incorporate as many signature sign offs as possible so.......Goodnight and Good Luck.
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