Surprise Surprise

Wow. That was the word that I uttered after Jameer Nelson missed an off balance three as time expired in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals. Wow. The Celtics had just defeated the Magic 95-92, to take a 2-0 lead in the series nobody thought they would win. Wow. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. For the first time in Celtics history (and trust me, that's a lot of history) Boston had won the first two games of a series on the road. Just a month ago we were saying how the Celtics looked old, washed up. A week and a half ago they were about to go up against the best team in the NBA during the regular season, and didn't have a chance. Now? Now the C's are only two wins away from the NBA Finals, and have 3 home games to do it. I was speechless. How did this happen? Am I dreaming? No, this isn't a dream, it's reality, and a very good reality at that.

Going into the postseason, I had grown to hate the 2010 Celtics. They didn't hustle. They were lazy. They lacked the heart of a champion. The Celtics finished 27-27 after a 23-5 start. They had lost a league worst 14 games that they had lead in by at least 10 points at some point. I hated Sheed. I hated the energy. Most of all, I hated how they didn't care. I hated everything about them, and I was looking forward to watching them be upset by Miami in the first round or get blown away by the LeBrons in round two. I thought they had no chance at the title. Boy, was I wrong.

Against Miami, it was evident that this wasn't the same Celtics team from the regular season. They hustled. They played great defense. They looked like they cared. When Quentin Richardson pushed Paul Pierce out of bounds and indirectly (or directly) got KG suspended, The Celtics turned it up a notch. If it wasn't for a Dwayne Wade explosion in Game 4 of that series, the Celtics would have swept Miami no problem. But I still wasn't so sure that the Celtics new found defensive intensity that was reminiscent of the 2008 championship team was for real. I mean, come on, its Miami. Their backup plan after Dwayne Wade is Jermaine O'Neal's corpse/the artist formerly known as Michael Beasley/Mario Chalmers. Not exactly a killer supporting cast. Anyways going up against mighty Cleveland and LeBron James, I was curious to see if this new Celtics team was the real deal or if they would be wiped aside.

That's when the Celtics came out and dominated the Cavaliers in one of the most one-sided six game series ever. With the exception of a late game collapse in Game One, and a no show in Game Three, Boston was in control of the series throughout. Garnett made me look like a fool for picking Jamison over him in my series preview by abusing him throughout (seriously, what was I thinking? Jamison could have charged KG of rape for what he did to him...oh wait I forgot that was Kobe's thing). Rondo was absolutely sensational, darting and weaving in and out of Cleveland's defense. The Celtics put the clamps on Lebron, and I'm convinced the Cavs' supporting cast went into a coma. Then, in Game Six, which was the best Celtics game I've ever been to (New York Knicks! New York Knicks!), Boston pulled off the upset that nobody saw coming.

That brings us to the Eastern Conference Finals against Dwight Howard (my second favorite non-Celtic) and the Orlando Magic. Once again, despite their previous successes, the Celtics were counted out against a Magic team that went 8-0 in the first two rounds. But the Celtics are locked in right now. There's no other way to put it. They beat the Magic in the first game by a game that wasn't nearly as close as the score indicated. Then, in Game Two, Orlando choked down the stretch (with Vince Carter pulling his patented big game choke by missing two crucial free throws in the final minute. I think we should start calling him The Mailman for the way he mails games in). And now, the Celts are taking home a 2 games to none lead and are in full control of the series.

Does this mean the Celtics have won the series? Not a chance. But with every series, every game, every quarter, I'm feeling more and more like this is a team of destiny. With the defense they are playing, they can beat anyone. Including the Lakers. It's only a matter of time. Go Celtics.

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A Wild Weekend

It's been a week and I have finally digested the 2010 NFL draft. Since I've been watching the draft, this was one of the wildest yet. The trade market was in full swing led by the New England Patriots (what else is new). I'll admit that I was pulling for the Patriots to grab Dez Bryant 24th overall, but they swung that to Dallas who took Dez. I still like the Devin McCourty pick because it improved our much needed corner back situation. With Devin and Leigh Bodden at the corners, I'm ready to say that our defensive back situation is complete (after only 3 years for looking to solidify it). I will get to the other teams in a minute, but let's just talk about the Patriots draft for a little.



The tight end situation is looking really good right now, with the Patriots taking Rob Gronkowski in the 2nd round and then grabbing Aaron Hernandez in the 4th. The Patriots never have really used the tight end position as another receiver, but with these two picks, I think we all know what Brady's third option will be this year. The Patriots also picked up a receiver named Taylor Price in the 3rd round. I haven't heard much about this guy, but apparently he's pretty good. He's got great hands, and Belichick will use him as a return man until Wes Welker makes his return. Many people (including me) think that this is not enough at the receiver position. That's why the Patriots signed Torry Holt. The veteran receiver will hopefully fill in nicely this year, as the 3rd receiver option for Brady. Oh, and I forgot to mention someone who everyone is forgetting. Brandon Tate (or as I like to call him, The Next Moss). This kid is HUGE. Just wait, he's going to be nasty in a few years. Patriots went physical in the entire draft.



Now, for the other teams. First, the Denver Broncos. Josh McDaniels has officially ruined the Broncos. Denver was headed in the right direction with Brandon Marshall and Jay Cutler as the core offensive players. Since McDaniels took over the reigns, everything is going down hill. Tim Tebow in the first round? Hello, McFly!!!! Anybody home? come on Joshy boy! You are better than this! Yeah, he's a winner and a great person and never gives up, but if you don't got the talent, you don't got it. And Timmy, you don't got it right now. You just don't draft a work in progress with the 25th pick overall (that's me and that's probably why I write the articles and not drafting players). Next is the Jets. First off, I hate them, and everyone who plays for them (except Ty Law, 'cause he was a stud). But I am scared of them this year. They had a solid draft and took, what I think, is the second biggest steal of the draft in Joe McKnight. McKnight has all the tools to be an elite back, but just hasn't put everything together at once yet. The Jets have a scary back field and their receivers aren't too bad either. This draft (well this whole off season) was very good for the Jets. Now for San Diego. They are a great team, but they don't have a real powerful running back. So they trade up and grab Ryan Matthews from Fresno State. I am just as confused as you are. Now I heard he was one of the best running backs out there this year, but why would the Chargers trade up for him. Why not C.J. Spiller? I hope Matthews works out good for San Diego, but as of right now, they are one of my biggest losers of the draft.

I could go on and on with teams, but now I want to look at players. One player that I'm really upset about is Taylor Mays, safety from USC. Last year, he was projected a top-5 pick. How he fell to the 49th pick (by the, you guessed it, 49ers) is beyond me. He has all the talent of Eric Berry and Earl Thomas. I actually believe Mays has more potential than Thomas. It's just surprising he fell that much. Now, to Colt McCoy. I think he is the biggest steal in the draft. If you're looking for a winner (cough, McDaniels, cough) this is your guy. He's won more games than any college QB ever.....ever! He can offer you a lot more in the passing game than Tim Tebow. I believe that McCoy will win the starting job for the Browns and help turn them around. He will be a pro bowler one day. Jimmy Clausen is the other quarter back who fell. And he fell because he is not a good player. Think back to your days in say Little League when your team had that player who everyone thought was so good, yet couldn't even hit the ball. Thats Clausen. He is supposed to be this great amazing player, but he's just not. I hope the Panthers know that Clausen will only be a good back up. It's too bad, the Panthers could have had Colt.

I have three bold predictions from this draft, and here they are:
1. Colt will have more Pro-Bowl selections than Clausen and Tebow combined.
2. Dez Bryant will be the best offensive player of this draft, that is not a quarterback.
3. Sergio Kindle should have been higher, and will show it in the 2010 season.

Bam. Done. That's what I got from this years draft. Take it or leave it.