Super 7

Posted by Mike Giardi April 19, 2008 at 5:49 pm

In the middle of prepping for an evening of channel surfing as I sit here in our plush NECN sports row. Its so plush, I have two trash cans within 15 feet of me, and yet there’s trash everywhere. Safe to say there’s been an errant jumper or three by yours truly. That’s true to form. I was deadly around the tin, and from beyond the arc, but I never did have a mid-range game. 

Time for the Super 7:

1) I’m positively Pete Carroll-esque right now: jacked and pumped for Game 6 of the Bruins/Canadiens playoff series. For starters, I won bets with everyone at work on the length of this series, so I have much coffee coming my way. Secondly, this has been a terrific matchup, full of everything that makes the Stanley Cup playoffs the second-best postseason in sports, behind only the NFL’s second season. I’m still not sure the B’s have enough to pull of a 3-1 comeback, much like the Habs did to them a several years back, but I’ve enjoyed seeing the Black and Gold represent so many thing that I loved about that franchise growing up. Plus, the Cam Neely high-5 to GM Peter Chiarelli after Game 3 was must-see TV.

2) After a 66-win regular season, the Celtics have placed a heavy burden on themselves. Expectations are sky-high, and I think anything less than a trip to the Finals means they’ve underachieved. I know all the Detroit apologists are out there, but that team has gakked in the postseason 2 of the last 3 years. Why should C’s fans fear that?

3) On that front, I fully expect Ray Allen to be shopped at season’s end. He’s been a true pro, but being 3rd in the pecking order has not be an easy thing for someone used to having everything built around him. That said, I have no idea how the C’s get anything close to full value for a 30-something shooting guard. In fact, I’d say its impossible.

4) This Spurs/Suns series has the potential to be one of the best first-round matchups since the league expanded to its current format. I mean, both of these clubs could win a championship, and they’re playing in the opening round?!?! That’s eye-opening. I still think the NBA needs to go to an open format for the postseason, with teams seeded 1-16.  Ditto for the NHL.

5) I heard a couple of callers complain about the Sox’s trade at the deadline last year. I love the revisionist history. Murphy and Gabbard for Eric Gagne was about as close to a no-brainer as you can get in late July. The ceiling on Murphy is 4th outfielder. Gabbard 4th starter. The Sox’s bullpen needed one more reliable arm, and Gagne was suppose to be it. How could they have known that he wouldn’t be able to adjust to the 8th inning role? I still think that’s a bunch of bunk anyway, but Gagne never got his head right, and consequently, stunk. Still didn’t stop the Sox from winning it all, and hopefully didn’t discourage Theo Epstein from doing something similar this year.

6) Yankee reliever Kyle Farnsworth got suspended for 3 games and fined a laughable 2,000 dollars for throwing straight cheese behind Manny’s head Thursday. That’s brutal. I understand the code about protecting your players, or trying to cool off a hot hitter, but put the ball at the waist, not at the head. And you know what? If you can’t control your pitches to begin with, then you shouldn’t be the one doling out justice.

7) Condolences to the family of John Marzano. The former Sox catcher died of apparent heart attack. He was part of one of my favorite Sox teams growing up. The 1987 edition, which finished dead-last, 6 games under .500, but sold us on the kiddies that were coming: Sam Horn, Todd Benzinger, Ellis Burks, Jeff Sellers Rob Woodward and Jody Reed. For some reason, I bought it. It still leaves a bad taste in my mouth