Random Thoughts (May 29, 2008)

Yes, the Boston Celtics are just one game away from reaching the NBA Finals. This is not just a great time to be a lover of all things green, it is a truly great time to be a Boston sports fan. Is it me or does it seem like we have spent this entire decade watching a big game featuring a Boston team. The Red Sox won the World Series in 2004 and 2007 and lost out in the ALCS in 2003 and the ALDS in 2005. The Patriots won the Super Bowl in 2002, 2004 and 2005 and lost the Super Bowl in 2008 and the AFC Championship Game in 2007. The C's are only one win away from the Finals and in 2002 they lost in the Eastern Conference Finals. Even the Bruins, who haven't won a playoff series this century (TRIVIA: When was the last time the Bruins won a playoff series and who did they defeat?) have lost in a Game 7 in both 2004 and 2008. For all the flaws this Celtic team is showing -- and the fact that they struggle to close out double-digit leads might be their eventual downfall -- this is still, to me, the favorite to grab the Larry O'Brien trophy in a few weeks. Ray Allen has started to find his shooting touch, Kevin Garnett is playing at a high level, Paul Pierce does make horrible decisions with the ball but he can score on anyone in a 1-on-1 situation, Rajon Rondo has played great at times, between Kendrick Perkins and PJ Brown the team is getting solid play at the center position and James Posey provides a spark off the bench. I believe the C's will go into Detroit on Friday night and ride the backs of KG, Jesus Shuttlesworth and the Truth -- the three stars who can taste the Finals -- to a huge Game 6 victory. Bring on Kobe... Maybe this Red Sox team needs pressure to win because they certainly can't do anything away from Fenway Park when they know most of Boston and New England are fixed on the Celtics. I'm not saying it's a bad thing -- teams that thrive on pressure often find themselves playing deep into October -- but they have to figure out a way to win on the road. At home, the Sox boast an impressive 21-5 record. On the road they are a pathetic 11-19. I still consider the travel -- this is their second trip to the West Coast already and don't forget about Japan or Kevin Youkilis will kill you -- a problem but if this team is to play into October, they better start winning away from Fenway Park... Another problem area for the Red Sox has been the bullpen. Other than closer Jonathan Papelbon, the bullpen has struggled. Manny Delcarmen (0-1, 5.14 ERA), Mike Timlin (2-3, 6.89) and Craig Hansen (1-2, 7.20) do not have good numbers and even Hideki Okajima has been shaky lately. Theo Epstein's only logical choice, if the relief corps doesn't straighten themselves out in the next week or so, is to turn to his well stocked farm system. Justin Masterson, who has been great in two spot starts for Boston, and Clay Buchholz might be the two power arms who Terry Francona can turn to in a jam... Trivia Answer: The Bruins last won a playoff series in 1999 over the Carolina Hurricanes. Drop the puck... The NBA Draft is the truly hardest to predict. With the influx of talent from Europe, Asia and Africa, one never knows what is going to happen, especially later in the Draft. My initial mock draft, based on my knowledge of college basketball and the NBA teams in these positions along with what I have read about the foreign talent, is as follows: 1. Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis 2. Miami Heat: Michael Beasley, PF, Kansas State 3. Minnesota Timberwolves: Brook Lopez, C, Stanford 4. Seattle Sonics: OJ Mayo, SG, USC 5. Memphis Grizzlies: Kevin Love, PF, UCLA 6. New York Knicks: Jerryd Bayless, PG, Arizona 7. LA Clippers: Russell Westbrook, PG, UCLA 8. Milwaukee Bucks: Eric Gordon, SG, Indiana 9. Charlotte Bobcats: DJ Augustin, PG, Texas 10. New Jersey Nets: Danilo Gallinari, SF, Italy 11. Indiana Pacers: Anthony Randolph, PF, LSU 12. Sacramento Kings: Brandon Rush, SG, Kansas 13. Portland Blazers: DeAndre Jordan, C, Texas A&M 14. Golden State Warriors: Joe Alexander, SF, West Virginia 15. Phoenix Suns: Darrell Arthur, PF, Kansas 16. Philadelphia 76ers: Chris Douglas-Roberts, SF, Memphis 17. Toronto Raptors: Robin Lopez, C, Stanford 18. Washington Wizards: Marreese Speights, PF, Florida 19. Cleveland Cavaliers: Chase Budinger, SF, Arizona 20. Denver Nuggets: Kosta Koufos, C, Ohio State 21. New Jersey Nets: Donte Green, SF, Syracuse 22. Orlando Magic: Bill Walker, SF, Kansas State 23. Utah Jazz: Nicolas Batum, SF, France 24. Seattle Sonics: Nathan Jawai, PF, Australia 25. Houston Rockets: Roy Hibbert, C, Georgetown 26. San Antonio Spurs: Mario Chalmers, PG, Kansas 27. New Orleans Hornets: JJ Hickson, PF, NC State 28. Memphis Grizzlies: JaVale McGee, PF, Nevada 29. Detroit Pistons: Serge Ibaka, PF, Congo 30. Boston Celtics: Ante Tomic, C, Croatia Enjoy Ken Griffey Jr. tonight...