He heard the question from ABC's Michele Tafoya, pondered it, removed his cap, cocked his head skyward, then shouted the line that defined not only his career but the Boston Celtics' return to NBA prominence. "ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!!" screamed Kevin Garnett, motioning to the banners and the heavens before breaking down and weeping in a friend's arms last June.
Alas, it took only 10 months to realize what suddenly isn't possible: the idea of the Celtics repeating as NBA champions without Garnett. That fatal twist is assured after a series of staggering events Thursday, when it became clear that the team's emotional leader and defensive force will miss the entire postseason with knee problems. With Garnett, the second championship in a potential dynasty run was possible. Without him, the Celtics can't beat LeBron James and the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals, a rude awakening that has New England in mourning -- what, six titles involving three teams isn't enough this decade? -- and may have contributed to the stress levels of general manager Danny Ainge, who is said to be "recovering nicely" after a minor heart attack.
Before Stephon Marbury digs into lunch Friday, he'll have found a new home. A team -- and all signs point to the one with residence on Boston's Causeway Street -- will have decided the potential outweighs the many negatives, and once again, Marbury's poisonous aura shall be cloaked in a new uniform.
Doc Rivers, coach of the Boston Celtics, still has the mindset of a floor general. He is exploring the acquisition of Marbury from all angles, sizing up the scene and deciding if it is best to drive straight ahead or pass. Most NBA observers expect Rivers and the Celtics to pick the first option when Marbury clears waivers around 10 a.m. Friday, and add the mercenary guard to Boston's roster just in time for another playoff push.
For many NBA fans, Boston's run to the title last season wasn't just about watching the legendary Celtics return to the top of the basketball world. It was more about getting a chance to witness emote-icon Kevin Garnett complete his long journey to an NBA title. KG has long been respected by basketball faithful for being a player who leaves it all on the floor while wearing his heart on his sleeve, and his intense play during the Celtics' championship season only enhanced that reputation.
I was recently fortunate enough to get the chance to sit down with Garnett and talk to him straight-up about everything from what it's like to finally be a champion, to his thoughts on players who only show up during contract years. The candid interview took place over about 30 minutes in a back office of the NBA Store in New York. Hit the jump to read the full thing; and special thanks to NBA 2K9 for hooking me up with KG (who appears as the cover guy for the latest edition of the game).
Usually, I'm a big fan of "in the beginning" mixes because they show a star being born. This Chauncey Billups retrospective is almost the opposite of that. Sure, there are a few nice drives, and Chauncey's always been able to make it rain three's. But by and large, this does not look like a man who would one day lead a team to a championship. Maybe that tells us a lot about that Pistons bunch. Or that Billups' game today is about psychology and intelligence. Or how much of a true point guard he really is.
Okay, fine. I'm really just posting this for the haircut of Celtics-era Billups.
Toward the end of every season, there's always a handful of young players who come into their own. One of this year's most intriguing is Celtics rookie point guard Rajon Rondo, who last night put up the mind-blowing stat line of 14 points, 8 boards, 8 assists, 7 steals, and 2 turnovers.
He's doing all of this without the benefit of a jumper; he really, truly has no jumper. It's only a matter of time before other teams realize this, and defend against him in a way that exploits it. Luckily, ace Celtics blog Red's Army has figured out a cure. In words and pictures, they've outlined exactly how Rondo's jumper can go from terrible to passable. An excerpt:
Rajon shoots his jumper like a jai ali player propels the ball. The basketball touches EVERY INCH of Rondo's hand as it's launched toward the hoop. That hand of his takes up almost half of the basketball. When you consider that a jump shot is influenced by the tiniest amount of pressure or variance in delivery, it's really no wonder that Rondo's jumper is off. It's got so many places where something can go wrong.
Read the whole thing, especially if you're a fan of Rondo's. They've convinced me that this dude, one of my favorite rookies, has a good shot at continuing to wreak havoc. And maybe even more, if his shoot comes around. Though even then, he'll be light years away from what Bill Simmons predicted for him.
We all know that Antoine Walker once was a Celtic. And the real headz can think back to that brief memorable period of Gary Payton: The Green Months. Yet despite their different experiences with that proud franchise, they agree on one thing: Greg Oden cannot save this team
Gary Dzen at the Globe'sCeltics Blog has their candid words:
"All [Oden's] going to do is bring fans in here," the Miami Heat point guard said in the locker room before tonight's game. "That's it. That's all they want. We aren't talking about no playoffs here. They're not going to the playoffs. If they're sold out that's good. They want to make their money."
"If they get Oden they still ain't going to do [crap], period" said Antoine Walker, sitting just a few feet away.
What I can't tell is whether they're dissing Oden, dissing the Celtics, or disdaining both. They go on to speak on the Celts' youthful personnel, the need for vets, and the pain of Paul Pierce, so the topic is clearly the Celtics franchise. However, discounting the power of a super-center in the threadbare East is strange ... unless you don't believe in said super-center. Actually, maybe all this proves is that NBA players don't buy into the same hype and assumptions that fuel fan, media, and management culture.
Basketball players talk a lot about having their own individual style. It's their signature, their voice, and a large part of what gives them confidence in their roles. But rarely does a guy have a game so unique that it confuses the powers that be.
This past weekend, we found out that the league had apologized to Billy King for bogus ref-work. Now, the Boston Herald is reporting that young stud Al Jefferson was too advanced for the refs. So much so that they had the team had to break down for them just what Jefferson was going in the post:
"It's no accident that Al Jefferson [stats] has been getting called for traveling less often. The Celtics shipped video to the league to point out that some of his moves aren't illegal.
"He has an unorthodox post game, and some of the travels they were calling were (expletive)," Rivers said before Jefferson's nine-point, 10-rebound evening against the Hornets. "They weren't travels. They just hadn't seen that, and we sent enough in to prove that's not a travel. It's just unorthodox. They (the officials) really have improved on that."
I'm sorry, but that is completely awesome. Usually we think of quick, explosive guards changing the sport's vocabulary, or do-everything freaks like Pippen or Odom. But when a dude whose main virtues are big and tall can cause this kind of controversy, that makes you think the pro game is anything but played out.
I'm assuming I'm not the only avowed NBA fan who just watched Durant. I'm also guessing many of you watched him during the Big 12 Tournament, when a certain red-headed gentleman was seated next to Mr. and Mrs. Durant.
Apparently, the league was watching, too. And they didn't approve. From Sports Illustrated:
The Boston Celtics were fined $30,000 as a result of contact that took place between executive director Danny Ainge and Durant's family members at a Big 12 tournament game on March 10...
Ainge was seen sitting with Durant's mother at the Big 12 tournament. He was later quoted as saying that he was seated next to her by accident and that he had no control over his ticket location.
But that argument holds no water with the NBA.
In case you're worried that the Celtics are getting discriminated against, know that the Bobcats and Warriors also felt the sting. Apparently, Jordan said a few things about the Texas phenom in a Charlotte Observer interview, and Don Nelson touched on Durant and Greg Oden in an SI piece. Nelson also mentioned the two in this New York Times piece.
Ainge, whatever. He should've sensed that wasn't a kosher situation. With Nelson and MJ, though, you've got to wonder: is there any conversation about basketball this season that doesn't lead back to Oden/Durant?
I think a lot of us bloggers spend our spare time wondering if athletes read us. I mean, we're often well-publicized, well-trafficked, and considered a useful outlet for NBA-related information. You'd think that, if most NBA player own computers, at least one would be a regular prowler of the blogosphere. And admit, that would feel kind of awesome.
Unless, of course, the player is Brian Scalabrine. From Perk is a Beast:
As we were waiting for perk to come out of the locker room after last nights game, we ran into Scal who had nothing but good things to say about Perk is a beast. When we asked him if he had heard about the site, he said "Thats you!? That web site is sweet! I love that site man, I love it!"
The P.I.A.B folks must be positively drunk with confidence after hearing that. Scalabrine has always headed my list of "NBA players who are in the league by accident and are in fact just regular guys." So his endorsement is almost like a confirmation that no real NBA'er would make a habit of looking at our digital scribblings. And for him to be an over-enthusiastic reader of a blog...I don't know, I'd rather be kept in my place just a little.
Oh, and one unrelated thought: how is Scalabrine getting away with jeans in that photo? I thought those were strictly against the radar. Or is this consistent with my theory of his (non)-standing in the sport-he can be as under the radar as he wants.
St. Patrick's Day is coming up -- it's March 17th for those of you to whom this is not a particularly big deal -- and that's come to mean five things. 1) Booze, 2) Booze, 3) Booze, 4) NBA teams were unsightly green uniforms, and 5) Booze.
The NBA actually seems to be looking at St. Patrick's Day as more of a "season" than a one-day event. From the 11th through the 13th, the Bulls, Celtics, and Knicks will be wearing special commemorative St. Patrick's Day uniforms.
I don't really get why the NBA does this. Not that I'm opposed to it, because I'm not ... it can be a fun, quirky little thing. But really, why does the NBA care so much about St. Patrick's Day? Certainly, they don't actually sell a lot of these green jerseys, do they? Who's buying those things? I don't get it. Why not the same treatment for other holidays?
If we're going to do this, why not have the Bucks take the court wearing antlers on the first day of deer-hunting season? Why not have the Spurs take the court reeking of tequila and wearing sombreros on Cinco de Mayo? Let's have the 76ers play in top hats and fake Lincoln beards on Presidents Day, let's make the Wizards play in bunny suits on Easter, and let's have the Timberwolves play in uniforms made entirely of leaves on Arbor Day.
He heard the question from ABC's Michele Tafoya, pondered it, removed his cap, cocked his head skyward, then shouted the line that defined not only his career but the Boston Celtics' return to NBA prominence. "ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!!" screamed Kevin Garnett, motioning to the banners and the heavens before breaking down and weeping in a friend's arms last June.
Before 
Toward the end of every season, there's always a handful of young players who come into their own. One of this year's most intriguing is Celtics rookie point guard Rajon Rondo, who last night put up the mind-blowing stat line of 14 points, 8 boards, 8 assists, 7 steals, and 2 turnovers. 
We all know that Antoine Walker once was a Celtic. And the real headz can think back to that brief memorable period of Gary Payton: The Green Months. Yet despite their different experiences with that proud franchise, they agree on one thing: Greg Oden cannot save this team 
Basketball players talk a lot about having their own individual style. It's their signature, their voice, and a large part of what gives them confidence in their roles. But rarely does a guy have a game so unique that it confuses the powers that be. 
I'm assuming I'm not the only avowed NBA fan who just watched Durant. I'm also guessing many of you watched him during the Big 12 Tournament, when a certain red-headed gentleman was 
I think a lot of us bloggers spend our spare time wondering if athletes read us. I mean, we're often well-publicized, well-trafficked, and considered a useful outlet for NBA-related information. You'd think that, if most NBA player own computers, at least one would be a regular prowler of the blogosphere. And admit, that would feel kind of awesome. 
St. Patrick's Day is coming up -- it's March 17th for those of you to whom this is not a particularly big deal -- and that's come to mean five things. 1) Booze, 2) Booze, 3) Booze, 4) 
