I Agree With Giardi

Posted by Adam Hart July 21, 2008 at 11:03 am

Yes, that rhymes. But there is more to this post than a poetic headline. No really, there is.

The news that Eddie House and Tony Allen have re-signed with the Celtics makes me happy. The only tangible loss from last season’s record turnaround team is James Posey. I can deal with that.

As for the rhyme that started this whole post off, it’s that Eddie House was much better equipped than the guy we wiped pine for, Sam Casell, to run the point. In fact, I doubt Danny Ainge would have found anyone better able to run the C’s offense off the bench. Yeah, I’m coming after you, Eddie House haters.

All season long the gripe was that House couldn’t effectively run the point for the second unit. Wrong. House focused on this criticism so much that he made it a point to sprint the ball up the court and immediately put the half court offense into gear. Also, he averaged 2 ppg and almost half an assist more per game than sought after free agent target Tyronn Lue. House came in cold off the bench and still excelled in the playoffs.

If you watch the Celtics Championship DVD, countless times you can see Eddie House pumping up his teammates during a crucial timeout — not Kobe style, but with positive reinforcement. So give your House hating it a rest. He’s the man and that’s that.

And if that wasn’t good enough. Watch this play, Transformer noises and all, and tell me you didn’t immediately want House re-signed when it happened. Because if you didn’t, you can move to the West Coast and start waving your yellow and purple flags outside your car.

P.S. Typically I would have simply commented on Giardi’s blog, saying that I agree with his point of view in some type of snarky, quick-witted way. Hey, we need to get people to start commenting on this blog somehow. Otherwise, we’re left with those auto-comments by sites that search for key words. Oh, and I think we should all begin calling Giardi “Orange Chuck”.

P.P.S. Who’s ready for this to return to Boston?

I know I am.

P.P.P.S. Your Miss Universe, Dayana Mendoza. I love our Universe.

That’ll Do Danny, That’ll Do

Posted by Mike Giardi July 21, 2008 at 9:27 am

Okay, so its not James Posey, and their impact wasn’t as great, but the Celtics have reportedly secured the right to a couple of players who contributed to their recent NBA title. According to the Boston Herald, both Eddie House and Tony Allen have inked two-year deals to remain in Boston.

The House move was a no-brainer. He did a creditable job as Rajon Rondo’s backup this past season, and when he lost his minutes to Sam Cassell late in the year and again at points in the playoffs, House did not sulk. Instead, he kept himself ready and stepped up in the Finals versus L.A.

On top of that, we learned that while House may not be a pure point guard, he was much better equipped to run that slot than the guy we pined for, Sam Cassell. Cassell could stop the world from turning, all in the name of an off-balance 18-footer.

As for Allen, this contract makes sense, now that Posey’s a Hornet. The C’s need someone athletic enough to cover 2 and 3’s, and while Allen doesn’t have Posey’s size, he’s can handle some of the smaller 3’s in the NBA. Plus, he’ll be another year removed from knee surgery, and this is when we’ll likely see if the explosiveness can return to his legs. If it does, you can’t count on Allen being a better, more aggressive player at both ends. If not, and you’re sitting in the first 10 rows, always keep your eye on the ball ’cause there’s a chance Tony may chuck it to you off the dribble.

Super Subs

Posted by Mike Giardi July 17, 2008 at 10:28 am

In honor of super-sub James Posey taking the money and running to New Orleans (I don’t blame him one bit. See this piece), I thought I’d cook up a list of the Top-10 Sixth Men in NBA History. with one caveat: they have to have played in my lifetime.

1. Kevin McHale, Celtics - The greatest, and I’ll always remember him for that, while desperately trying to ignore his hideous dealings as GM of the T’Wolves.

2. Detlef Schrempf, Pacers - I’d link to his greatest as a scorer and passer, but did you know someone titled a song after him? That’s the absolutely proof of his greatness as far as I’m concerned. Now I just need someone to write one about me, so I can have my existence justified. Any takers?

3. Manu Ginobli, Spurs - Like a lot of players on this list, he’s a 6th man only in spirit, because he’s playing 30-plus minutes a game. A clutch player, an incredible flopper, and his injury this spring is probably why the Lakers emerged from the West, and not San Antonio.

4. Clifford Robinson, Trail Blazers - Just a good player for a lot of years. His career numbers don’t lie. He did, however, have a problem with the sticky icky. Doesn’t make him a bad guy, but it does get you in trouble with the league.

5. Anthony Mason, Knicks - This was one bad dude. I literally had to fight the urge to hide behind the coach every time he entered the game. It was that scowl. He should have trademarked that scowl. Ended up forcing his way out of New York, largely because he thought the offense should have been run through him. Dude, you were good, but not that good.

6. Leandro Barbosa, Suns - Great two seasons ago. Not so great this year. Plus, he seems to be the sensitive type, brought to tears when teammates pulled a practical joke on him at the trade deadline and told him he was being shipped to some loser.

7. Roy Tarpley, Mavericks - Was an absolute beast, but absolutely submarined his own career with substance abuse issues.

8. Dennis Rodman, Pistons - He should be higher, but I hated his guts, regardless of where he was playing. Apparently, I’m not alone.

9. Bill Walton, Celtics - That one season with the Celtics was magical. One of the best seasons I lived through during my younger days.

10. Darrell Armstrong, Magic - Filled up the box score in the late 90’s for Orlando. Then someone overpaid him and he was never the same player. Boy do I hate it when that happens.

Why the Celtics Won’t Miss Posey

Posted by Jimmy Young July 16, 2008 at 6:36 pm

Its always tough to say goodbye to a key player on a championship team, but that’s what Celtics fans did today. James Posey signed a 4 year deal with the New Orleans Hornets, he wanted that 4th year, and he deserves it. Celtics nation knew that this day might come,  he was a one year rent a veteran, and it worked. The Celtics won their 17th NBA Championship. Can they win an 18th without James Posey? Yes, but it might be tougher, and they will have to find another veteran forward presence off the bench. Remember at this time last year, Kevin Garnett was still a member of the MInnesota Timberwolves. I just think, in time, the Celtics will be just fine, and Mr. Posey will join Dave Roberts, Dave Henderson, and Ted Washington as members of great teams who were one and done in Boston Sports.

Posey = Gone

Posted by Adam Hart July 16, 2008 at 5:16 pm

Well, that’s the end of that. Marc J Spears is reporting that Posey signed a four year deal with the New Orleans Hornets. He got his money, an estimated $25 million, while he could. So you can’t really blame him.

I wonder if Danny Ainge told Posey straight up that he wouldn’t go four years on a deal with the 31-year-old defensive stalwart. And I also wonder if Posey replied to him in such a fashion. The fashion not being singing “Ladies’ Night”, but Jon Lovtiz’s departing comment in the final 10 seconds of that clip.

Does this mean that we are going to resign ourselves to bringing Darius Miles aboard? Let me be the first to say that the head bump would be a great addition to the C’s, solely on celebratory basis. That used to be my on court celebration move before adopting the Sam Cassell run up court juggling your giant marbles move.

All joking aside, today is a dark day for Celtics fans. But our dark days are like that Southwest Airlines commercial for everyone else. You know, the one from Florida where a single cloud blocks the sun for 5 seconds and everyone sighs. Yeah, those are our dark days. That means things aren’t so bad. Chin up, folks. Chin up.

Posey to Hornets

Posted by Morry Levine July 16, 2008 at 4:55 pm

Celtics Free Agent Forward James Posey won’t be wearing green next year.  He has agreed to a 4-year, 25-million dollar deal with the New Orleans Hornets.  Posey’s agent Mark Bartelstein says, “It was a really tough decision for him.  Boston was an incredible experience for him every way you look at it. If he was going to leave Boston, he wanted to make sure it was for a team that would compete for championship immediately and the Hornets certainly are in that world.”

And the Winner Is…

Posted by Mike Giardi July 14, 2008 at 12:47 pm

So James Posey’s suppose to be in Boston this afternoon/evening for the Celtics Champion ship DVD party at the TD BankNorth Garden . I think this is a private event. Or semi-private. What I’m wondering is, will Posey show up if he signs elsewhere, which may happen sometime today, according to his agent.

Now according to the article by the Globe’s Marc Spears, it appears the C’s don’t want to go beyond two years with their super-sub. I’d be stunned if that’s enough. Heck, if you’re Posey why would you accept that? This is likely your last chance at a bigger payday, and if the Wizards or Hornets step up with 3 or 4 years, doesn’t he have to walk? Posey’s already got two rings, and both the aforementioned teams are on the rise (one would think). I could totally see him fitting in in either locale, and being an important player these next couple of seasons.

Me personally, if giving the choice, I’d be in New Orleans in a heartbeat. The chance to play with Chris Paul, the second-coming of Isiah Thomas (the player, not the bungling GM), would be one heck of an allure. Plus David West is blossoming, and Tyson Chandler is very solid inside. That’s a team that could win the West next year. Heck, they could win a title with Posey healthy and contributing. Am I wrong? I guess we may find out in a few hours. I’m not one who usually looks forwards to the DVD/red carpet things. It’s not my style. But I’m anxiously awaiting this evening, and the chance to speak with Posey. Again, that is, if he’s here.

UPDATED: Posey Signs Today; Manny Is Master Showman

Posted by Adam Hart July 14, 2008 at 10:28 am

Greatest Ever, In Many Ways

During a 7th inning pitching change on Sunday, Manny Ramirez took the opportunity to grab a quick drink in the scoreboard of the Green Monster. A Southern Comfort Manhattan? No. Simply a Gatorade. Doesn’t look to be a “Rain” flavor, which are my favorite. Oh, and if you’re any kind of guy, you won’t drink the Manhattan out of some foo-foo cocktail glass. You drink it out of a whiskey glass or you don’t drink it at all.

As I’m getting off track, Manny’s beautiful wife Juliana shows up on the Today Show, where they use her as a model to show off proper makeup techniques. She is pitted against Matt Holliday’s wife, who, just like last October, gets a good olde fashioned beatdown from the Red Sox. At the risk of losing everone’s respect, here is the video of the makeup segment that I watched. I would be ashamed if it didn’t include Juliana Ramirez.

Natalie Morales told Juliana that she doesn’t even require makeup. I mean, just look at her:

And I bet if you complimented Manny on his great life choices this would be his response: “Eh, I do what I can. I mean, I am a bad man”.

Giardi may have his favorite Sox players, but Mannypants is my top dawg. Hands down. As you should be able to grasp by the blatant slobbering I do over everything Manny. Oh, and I’m definitely moving to Brazil to find myself a wife.

James Posey Will Sign Today!

Or he will not. Marc J Spears is dropping this latest nugget of information on us. Here is today’s boston.com blog post, where Spears says that something should happen with Posey today. But he also puts the Celtics only willing to go 2 years on a deal and for the mid-level exception rate of $5.5 million.

The Hornets are right up there with the C’s in negotiations. And they could really use Posey. Remember the final game of that Spurs-Hornets series? Where Chris Paul couldn’t hit a shot and Jannero Pargo was just chucking up 3’s? Posey is the master of the clutch three. The Celts will need to fight to keep him in Boston. Hopefully we’ll have more on that today.

P.S. NBC finally put up that Today Show video, but they were being slow as molasses with it. Unlike those great digital media producers we have over at NECN.com, who are working round the clock to bring you the most recent video possible.

Anyone for a Skinny Center?

Posted by Mike Giardi July 11, 2008 at 7:32 pm

The Celtics finally got their man. Unfortunately, that man is not named James Posey (still unsigned) or Corey Maggette (now property of the Golden State Warriors). Instead, welcome former lottery pick Patrick O’Bryant into the fold.

Fox Sports Jeff Goodman is the first to report the story. O’Bryant is a true 7-footer, and weighs around 260 pounds (allegedly). The C’s worked him out a week ago and liked enough of what they saw to give O’Bryant a two-year deal, although the second season is a club option.

O’Bryant barely played in Golden State, averaging 1.7 ppg and 1.3 rpg in his brief two-year career, including just 25 games this past season. Still, someone managed to find enough plays to do a highlight reel to Mos Def, I believe. That proves two things: 1. YouTube is probably robbing America of its will to work and, 2) my musical tastes aren’t solely limited to grunge. So there.

Posey Deal Soon?

Posted by Morry Levine July 10, 2008 at 1:47 pm

 

Both the Boston Globe and Cleveland Plain Dealer reporting today that a deal for Celtics free agent Forward James Posey will come in the next day or so.  With Elton Brand and Corey Maggette off the market, Posey has become the most coveted of the remaining free agents.  According to his agent, the C’s are still in the mix.  Also in the mix, Posey’s home town Cavs.  Posey reportedly wants the mid-level exception which is 5.85 million dollars this upcoming season.

 

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