Fan and media indignation at Celtics coach Doc Rivers is hypocritical

Doc Rivers is looking for another job. Boston fans and sporting media are not happy about it. 

Doc Rivers - ''Calm down, people, calm down!''

It would appear as if the Doc Rivers 'trade' to the LA Clippers, in a package with Kevin Garnett, might be dead in the water. After a painful few days of drawn out negotiations, the Clippers have said they are leaving the table, and not coming back. The Celtics, and Doc Rivers, are left standing there with their pants down a little.

Meanwhile, the Boston sporting media is not amused.that Rivers seems to have been actively flirting with the Clippers. 'Should Doc be allowed back to the Celtics?' one headline cried, as if Rivers was a naughty street urchin, who isn't getting any supper. 'Can Rivers come back to the Celtics?' asked another, while a further headline appealed to the masses 'Do you think Rivers can come back to Boston?' It is safe to say the Boston Celtics fans at large, and the Boston sporting media, are seriously indignant that Rivers should dare talk to another club about working for them, while employed in Boston.

Wait a second.

How on earth is it okay that we are going to judge Rivers on this, and find him guilty?

Are we really suggesting that nobody should be allowed look for a better job, a better situation, a better opportunity, than the one they are in currently?

Are we really saying that none of us have ever looked for another job while currently employed somewhere else? Are we really suggesting that with a straight face and no hint of a snigger?

Another aspect to this is, hasn't Rivers done his job and more, with the Celtics? Hasn't he delivered? They were generally competitive as a ball club for the large part of his tenure. They delivered a glorious NBA title, and were only just short of a couple more. Has Rivers not delivered on his remit?

Or do people in Boston, both fans and media, feel as if they have some sort of bizarre ownership of the man?

One final thought, This whole thing is ugly. Boston fans and media suggesting Rivers is behaving anything other than exactly how all of us, bar none, would act in his position, in a regular job, are not only being stupid and ignorant to common every day facts, they are being incredibly arrogant too.

This happens all the flipping time in sports. Coaches move on, particularly when they are in a position to make their jobs, their salaries and indeed their lives better.

Sure, the deal may be dead. Either way, Boston sports fans and Ye Olde Towne sporting media have made a donkeys backside of themselves yet again.

Rivers is perfectly entitled to pursue a better life. We all are. Suggesting anything less is frankly pretty un-American. You don't hate America, do you?!

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Former Patriot lineman Joe Andruzzi comes to the rescue at Boston Marathon - VIDEO

The Superbowl champion offensive lineman Joe Andruzzi comes to the aid of a stricken runner

The city of Boston was struck by tragedy on Monday, on a day normally set aside for the celebration of sports. Patriots day is a huge day in Boston, one of the greatest sporting cities in the World. You all know about the New England Patriots, the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Celtics and indeed the Boston Bruins. Those legendary teams are but the tip of the ice berg. Boston is also home to the world’s oldest and some say the most prestigious marathon, and it is also home to some of the finest collegiate teams in all of the United States.

The city of Boston eats, breathes and lives sports. This of course makes yesterday’s tragedy all the more palpable, all the more painful. The perpetrators chose the Marathon as their target, thus striking at the very heart and soul of the city of Boston.

Last night, as the city struggled to come to terms with the events of the day, sports took something of a back seat. With a massive (offensive line-man sized) caveat. The Boston Bruins sensibly postponed their NHL game last night, to ensure that a large crowd didn’t gather in such trying circumstances. The Boston Celtics also cancelled their Tuesday night NBA game in advance, for the same, sensible reasons.

Sports will, however, be a major part of the healing process. Boston’s athletes are already chiming in, en-masse, to support the citizens of Boston.

One former Boston athlete has already provided tangible support the likes of which few could imagine, and perhaps fewer still would actually act on.

Joe Andruzzi was an excellent and popular offensive lineman for the New England Patriots. He played 122 games in the NFL and was a Patriot from 2000-2004, winning a stunning three Superbowl rings with the team. Joe comes from a family full of Patriots, all three of his brothers were at one stage New York fire-fighters, and all three acted with heroism on 9/11. Yesterday, among the chaos, Joe wasted no time to throw himself into action. Spotting an injured woman clearly in distress, with family members clearly frozen by fear, Joe grabbed her up and brought her to safety and treatment.

Joe Andruzzi and Marathon tragedy victim

Last night the quiet, unassuming man-mountain released the following statement;

“Marathon Monday should be about uplifting stories, personal challenges and fundraising milestones, but today’s bombings irrevocably changed that. While I appreciate the interest in hearing our perspective on today’s horrific events, the spotlight should remain firmly on the countless individuals — first responders, medics, EMTs, runners who crossed the finish line and kept on running straight to give blood, and the countless civilians who did whatever they could to save lives. They were the true heroes. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this senseless tragedy.”

Joe’s quiet, effective, passionate heroism is a striking statement on how sports can help a community rebound from tragedy. There is no doubt that sports will help Boston back onto its feet. Thanks in part to the outpouring of emotional and physical support from its athletes, past and present, Boston will rebound back stronger than ever before.

Here's the ESPN report on Joe Andruzzi's involvement:




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The Celtics hammer the Knicks and drive Carmelo Anthony to distraction

Madison Square Garden enjoyed some school yard basketball at its finest last night. The Boston Celtics came to town and Captain Paul Pierce led his team to a thumping 102-96 win over the New York Knicks, leaving the latter so frustrated that one of its stars morphed into a 15 year old bully. To say ‘Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Garnett got into an altercation’ is a little facetious as basically what happened was Melo decided to wait for Garnett at the Celtics team bus. See image below, and Comcast Sports Net New England has the 50 second video which is pretty funny to watch, we have that for you below also.

Here’s the video footage. Melo looks like an absolute idiot. A schoolyard bully. Apparently MSG security and the police intervened, according to a source. Good to know New York’s finest are being used to for the highest priority incidents only!

How did this all come to pass? During the feisty encounter, Anthony and Garnett were tagged with double technicals in the fourth quarter. When asked about the severity of the incident after the game Garnett played it down saying "No, no, man. Just basketball. Just basketball."

The Knick’s Amar'e Stoudemire kind of echoed Garnett’s attempt to play down the situation with his own comments; "It was more just talk. More talk more than anything. Words are pretty sharp, so when you say certain things, it gets under your skin and it gets you a little angry. And that happens to the best of us. We've got to make sure that we keep our composure and see if we can beat a team like Boston." So Garnett played it all down, as did Stoudemire.

Melo?

Melo felt compelled to take it further, and ran after the Celtics team bus, which more than anything shows he just isn’t used, to or prepared for, big game, playoff type atmospheres and occasions. Not having won anything in the NBA means he is basically still a naïve puppy. No doubt there is more of this brooding, sulky behaviour ahead for us to enjoy, until he finally puts his big boy shoes on.

Some sources are reporting that NBA fines are on the way for both players, however it is hard to imagine why KG would be fined, all he was doing was getting his bus, Melo was the punk like kid waiting for him by said mode of transport.

Some side notes on the ‘Maul At The Madison’. In the win,the Celtics perhaps offered other teams a blue print of sorts on beating the Knicks. After a terrible 3rd quarter, coach Doc Rivers demanded his troops guard the 3 point line better, and force the Knicks into the paint. The tactic worked beautifully, as the Knicks were kept to 16 points only in the crucial quarter. It would appear that if you stop the Knicks hocking up lazy 3s, they are relatively powerless to beat you.

One final note to those who would write off the Celtics this season. Last night’s win came without Rajon Rondo, who was suspended for the game by the NBA. Next time these two meet, Rondo will be on the court.

One can only imagine the painful, schoolyard fit Carmello will throw should the Celtics prevail again in just two weeks’ time, when the two protagonists meet again.


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Boston stuns Miami: Rajon Rondo wins the night: VIDEO

This is Rajon Rondo's world. The rest of us are just living in it.

Last night the Boston Celtics absolutely stunned the Miami Heat with a potentially devastating hay-maker of a game five road win. Several key plays accumulated to the Boston win, and several Boston players are walking around with a little extra swagger this morning. Michael Pietrus, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, amongst others.

However, none more so than the sensational Rajon Rondo.

First the game itself.

Kevin Garnett finished with 26 points and 11 rebounds, Paul Pierce scored 19, including the second biggest play of the night, and the Celtics beat the Heat 94-90 on Tuesday night, taking a 3-2 lead in the East finals that now move to Boston for Game 6 on Thursday night. The Celtics were down by 13 points in the second quarter, then down nine in the third, and answered with veteran authority both times.

Allen and Mickael Pietrus scored 13 apiece for the Celtics, who also got a loud 10 from Brandon Bass. Pietrus hit two huge 3-pointers in the fourth quarter for Boston, which remained perfect during the Pierce, Garnett, Rondo and Allen era when facing a Game 5 with a series tied 2-2. The Celtics are now 9-0 in that scenario, with that group.

That is simply an amazing fact.


Our choice for the two big plays on the night? Number two, the afore mentioned Pierce bomb from downtown. In the final minute, with the Celtics clinging to a 1-point lead and the shot clock worn down, Pierce launched a massive bomb of a three point shot from deep behind the line, right in the face of Uber-Super-Star and ESPN super-deity LeBron James, the often self appointed greatest player in the Galaxy. Nothin. But. Net.



The biggest play of the night might not look pretty but there is no doubting its significance. Dwayne Wade started the incident with a great block, and as the ball zipped back out, Rondo leapt and beat LeBron to the ball, tipping it strongly out to Michael Pietrus for the huge three point dagger shot to the heart of the Heat.



Watch the play several times, only then do you appreciate its significance, the much smaller scrapper, Rondo, quite easily beating LeBron to the ball, keeping it alive for the absolute dagger three.

Rajon Rondo is taking flight for the playoffs. The Celtics are enjoying the ride. Only Rondo knows how far this flight is traveling, but goodness it is enjoyable to watch.

We are all witnesses.

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Shaquille ‘The Big Shamrock’ O’Neal gets off to a winning start

So that’s that settled, apparently Miami are not going 82-0.

The hype surrounding LeBron, Wade and the Miami Heat has been nothing short of suffocating. Last nights season opener was supposed to be the beginning of their season long coronation, instead Shaquille ‘The Big Shamrock’ O’Neal and his crew had other ideas.

As the Boston Celtics fans serenaded the Heat with chants of "Overrated!” during last night's season opening 88-80 win, you couldn’t help thinking the guys from South Beach are going to hear that a lot this summer, and it’s only partially their fault. Quick, name three Heat players other than LeBron, Wade and Bosh. Not easy, eh? The only NBA team with its own special page on ESPN (the asinine ‘Heat Index’) is ‘team’ in name only. In reality its three superstars and a bunch of low salary additions, including a bench that will struggle against nearly every other NBA bench this season.

For the Celtics, the season opener could not have gone better. The parts assembled by Danny Ainge all fitted together perfectly. O’Neal made a nice splash in relatively short minutes while Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis almost stole the show with a very effective 29 minutes including 13 points and 5 rebounds. Pierce, Allen and Garnett all played their part. The Heat had two players with over 10 points. The Shamrocks had four (and one narrowly missing that with 9).

One final note, apparently size does matter. The Celtics are now one of the biggest teams in the league, with Ainge bringing in Shaquille O'Neal, Jermaine O'Neal, Semih Erden to add to Garnett, Perkins and Big Baby. The Celtics outscored Miami 38-24 ‘in the paint’. How will Miami handle the best big man in the league, Orlando’s Dwight Howard? On first look, they may struggle against teams with talented big men.

There aren’t many ‘bigs’ with more veteran talent than The Big Shamrock, and Celtics fans were treated to a motivated, healthy Shaquille O’Neal last night, and early results were very, very promising.

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