Where Are We Going?

Posted by Mike Giardi April 30, 2008 at 10:39 am

If you are reading this blog, or the previous incarnation of it, you know I occasionally go on non-sports related rants. I’ve already professed my love for the Banana Chocolate Chip muffin. Now let me throw this out there: The Raconteurs new album “Consolers of the Lonely,” is pretty good. Jack White is so ridiculously talented that he can crank out an album in about 4 minutes. Must stink to be that talented. Clearly, I wouldn’t know (go ahead, insert cheap shot here). A shout out to Regan PR maven Sean Flanagan for pointing me in the direction of this album.

On to the headlines today. We’ve got ourselves a meaningful Game 5 between the Celtics and Hawks. I still can’t fully fathom that this is happening, and I’m surprised the NBA took no action on KG, Zaza, Kendrick and Marvin from Monday’s affair. But then again, Jason Kid tried to kill Chris Paul in the Mavs/Hornets series and David Stern didn’t say boo. When did Stern and Stu Jackson stop caring about their sport?

I guess they’re doing a “Green Out” at the Garden, You know, everyone wear Green in support of the C’s. Have things in New England gotten so bad fans need to be instructed on how to respond to their team? Whether its the Jumbotron telling people to cheer, or the breaking out of thundersticks a couple of weeks ago, I’m beginning to wonder if we haven’t lost our identity. Celts fans don’t need to be cheesy. Just make noise, and provide the energy necessary to help a close game become a blowout, or turn a 5-point loss into a 5-point win. The Garden faithful did that in the day, and they didn’t need no stinking Jumbotron to figure it out. Yeah, I just preached there. I don’t feel real good about it, but come on! A man can only stand so much.

Been a bad week for sporting icons in this city. First, the passing of Don Gillis, then the final broadcast by WBZ’s Bob Lobel. Don was a true gentlemen. Once came into my office back when I was a 23-year old sports editor of the Falmouth Enterprise and told me what a wonderful job I was doing. I  could barely manage a thank you. I was in awe. Years later, I got to intern at Channel 7 and Don’s son, Gary, was a sports reporter there. For my money, Gary was/is the best storyteller in the biz and also veryy much like his Dad. I don’t think there’s a bad bone in his body. I tried to learn as much as I could from the man, and the day Gary was not renewed by 7’s Brass was a dark day for me.

As for Lobie, Sports Final was appointment viewing every single week. He asked the right questions, had on all the right guests and made that program a tremendous half-hour. Part of why I’m doing what I am today is because of Lobie, and Don Gillis, and Gary, and so many others who’ve graced our airwaves - Lavanchy, Lynchie, Ammo. All excellent at their craft, and all good people as well. The brotherhood (and sisterhood) just got a little less crowded this week, and that’s not a good thing.