Random Thoughts (May 27, 2008)

Even a diehard Celtic fan who has waited nearly his entire life to see the C's win the NBA Championship like myself has got to show respect for Antonio McDyess. When I was a teenager, McDyess was one of my favorite NBA players to watch. He had size, athleticism and ability, the perfect power forward package. Watching McDyess throw down dunks with a ferocious aggression put him in line with the likes of Shawn Kemp, Charles Barkley, Tom Chambers and Larry Nance -- those athletic power forwards who dunked on everyone. Knee injuries robbed McDyess of his hops and of his youth, sadly. He has come back with the Detroit Pistons as a jump shooting role player but in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pistons he has been the MAN. Last night in a crucial Game 4 in Detroit that the Pistons absolutely had to win, McDyess dropped in 21 points and snared 16 rebounds, leading Detroit to a convincing 94-75 victory. McDyess may be killing the C's but you have to love the heart and desire he is showing in this series. For a guy robbed of much of his natural ability, McDyess is willing himself -- and his team -- in the direction of a championship. One must give credit where credit is due... I don't know if I would trust Doc Rivers to coach a youth soccer team, let alone the Celtics... There is a lot of deserved praise being thrown around for Bartolo Colon. My note on Colon is that I love the fact he takes about 3 seconds in between pitches to agree with Jason Varitek's signal and start his windup. I love a good, solid, quick MLB game, especially when the Sox are on the West Coast... Sid the Kid, Malkin, Fleury and the rest of the Penguins will hopefully look back years from now -- and probably with their names enscribed on Lord Stanley's Cup more than once -- and remember the beating that Detroit put on them in the 2008 Cup Final was the best thing that ever happened to them... I'd spend good money to see the 1969 Celtics take on the 2008 Spurs... My All-non-Red Sox team looks like this: C: Russell Martin, Dodgers 1B: Albert Pujols, Cardinals 2B: Chase Utley, Phillies 3B: David Wright, Mets SS: Hanley Ramirez, Marlins LF: Matt Holliday, Rockies CF: Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners RF: Nick Markakis, Orioles Starting Pitchers: Dan Haren and Brandan Webb, Diamondbacks; Rich Hill, Cubs; Pedro Martinez, Mets; Tom Glavine and John Smoltz, Braves; Greg Maddux, Padres Bullpen: Trevor Hoffman, Padres; Brad Lidge, Phillies, Mariano Rivera, Yankees Evan Longoria, Jose Reyes, David Eckstein, Michael Young and Vlad Gurrero all just missed the cut for a team that has a heavy NL flavor to it... I miss the Cold War in an Olympic year... First golf outing of the year took place last Friday. The Harmon Club in Rockland, MA, a beautiful 9 hole course, witnessed me shooting a 61. For me, 26 over par is not that bad of a day... Lacrosse may not be my game but the goal scored by the John Hopkins attackman during Saturday's semifinals -- where he was running past the goal and dropped it in over his neck -- was amazing... I like Matt Ryan. I hope he does well in the NFL. I think Atlanta made a mistake in giving him $35 million in guaranteed money... Enjoy Tim Duncan tonight...