I'M THE GREATEST

Any questions? Ray Allen once again proved why he is the best shooter of all-time breaking Reggie Miller's three-point record Thursday night at a packed house at the garden.  Every time Ray touched the ball and spotted up, the entire garden faithful hurried to their feet so they could jump in joy of his accomplishment.

Phil Jackson was rather sarcastic when asked about Ray's accomplishment.  But, what does he know? His team is run by a rapist.  His quote was "They don't give you records for scoring two pointers, but threes they do. I hope he does it early," said Jackson.

Reggie Miller was rather excited to see Ray break the record as he hugged Ray at the end of the 1st quarter.  If I were Reggie I would be crying against my pillow in my bed like a school girl because he no longer is the greatest shooter of all-time.  What are you going to do though, records are meant to be broken.

Ray Allen has the smoothest stroke in the league, hands down.  No questions asked.  Congrats Ray.  Kobe you are still a beanbag, but one hell of a game closer.

IS TRUCK DAY A HOLIDAY?

Ahhhh, Truck Day.  It is the sign of Spring Training and the sign of the Boston Red Sox beginning their workouts in Fort Myers.  In 29 other baseball cities, a truck leaving for its Spring Training destination is no big deal, but when you are in a baseball city that breathes baseball, it is a different story.

Hundreds of people gathered outside of Fenway Park a few days ago to see off the truck that drives players equipment and belongings to Fort Myers.  Big deal? To some people, no, but to die hards it is a big thing.  Especially since the Patriots broke our hearts.  This is a sign that the newly stacked Red Sox are getting ready for baseball.  The sweet sound of a crack of a bat and the ball hitting the glove, is there anything better?  I don't think so.  Truck Day is another reason to look forward to warmer weather after Boston was blanketed with over 70 inches of snow this winter.

It may be no big deal to some people, but for Red Sox fans this day puts a smile on your face.  You know in less than two months that the Sox will be taking the field in Texas starting their run at another World Series Title.  The buzz on Yawkey Way at every point in the year is like no other street in Boston.  It does not matter if it is December or July there is that musk of a smell that baseball is in the air.

Truck Day should be bring all baseball fans to Yawey Way's Gate D next year because if you love the Red Sox and baseball, there is no other place to be.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST RIVALRY IN BOSTON SPORTS?

After watching the Bruins/Canadiens game on Wednesday night it got me thinking, what is the biggest rivalry in Boston sports?

After watching each team exchange punch after punch and goal after goal at the garden could the Bruins/Canadiens be Boston's greatest sports rivalry? It seems when ever these two teams meet, blood is dripping down one player's face due to the hatrid between the clubs.  Ever since the Joe Thornton days these two teams have hated eachother, scratch that since the Bobby Orr days.  This is what hockey is all about and it is hard to argue that this is not the greatest rivalry in beantown.

Celtics/Lakers games just always have a buzz to them since the 80s and 90s.  Bird, Parish, and McHale versus Magic and Kareem.  Well, the rivarly lives on in the 2000s with Pierce, Garnett, and Allen versus Kobe and Gasol.  Every Celtic fan bleeds green and hates to see the Lakers hoist a trophy at the end of the year.  Even during regular season games the intensity is just as if it is game seven of the NBA finals.  These two teams are destined to meet in the NBA finals for the third time in the last four years and I'll be the first to admit it, I would not hate that because I want to see the Cs to win banner number 18.  The only better way of winning a championship is beating the Lakers in the process, period.

Patriots/Colts- I think this is more of a quarterback rivarly than a team rivalry.  We always compare Brady to Manning.  How many rings does Brady have?  How many does Manning have?  What are their playoff records blah blah blah.  I think the Jets Pats rivalry is better just because of all the jabbering leading up to the week.  Brady and Manning are both professional about everything they do.

Lastly, The Red Sox versus the Yankees.  I could end it there, but since Bucky "fucking" Dent and Aaron Boone in 2003 to the most remarkable comeback in sports history.  This is no question the biggest rivarly in Boston.  The attitudes toward eachother is just like nothing else.  If you see a New Yorker, you instantly just don't like them if they are wearing a Yankees hat.  That is just how Boston Red Sox fans are born.  From Pedro throwing Don Zimmer to the ground to Johnny Damon's monster game in the Bronx, this rivalry is the best in sports possibly.  Oh, and let's not forget Jason Varitek lifting A-Rod off the ground in July of 2004.  In 2011, it only looks to get better as the Red Sox retooled and used the Yankees tactic of buying players.  Stay tuned.

BACK-TO-BACK GAMES HURTING THE CELTS

The Boston Celtics departed for Charlotte after winning convincingly over the Magic yesterday at home.  Charlotte Bobcats, no problem right? Nope.  The Bobcats took down the Celts on another back-to-back for the Celts.  These back-to-back games have been giving the Celtics a lot of trouble.  Why?  Is it because of the age of the players? Not sleeping in their own beds?  Long flights and lack of sleep? Whatever it is, it needs to be fixed in the second half because on back-to-back games the Celtics are no faring well and it is against sub .500 basketball teams that they should be winning.

Doc Rivers and the Boston Celtics need to have a better scheme for these stints.  I don't know if you need to give more rest to KG, Ray, Pierce, Shaq etc. it is just becoming inexcusable.  I don't know if they think that because they have the world Celtics or Boston on their jersey that they will walk over a sub .500 team.  It is the NBA.  Anything can happen on any given night.  I know it is a long season and players play through injuries, but that is why they make millions.

I know the Celtics will figure it out because that is who they are and that is what they do.  They will cruise into the playoffs, take no one lightly, and gain that home court advantage they need.  It is another dilemma fans and the media is bashing the C's for, but we all know the green will be raising number 18 come June.

BIG BEN NOT IN BRADY's CLASS YET

He had a chance to be in the same breath as Tom Brady as one of the best quarterbacks of all-time, but Big Ben just could not put together any offense during the Steelers last drive of the game.  He knows how to win games, but today Big Ben was not at his best.  His stat line may disagree, but he threw an interception that put Green Bay up two scores.  He overthrew his receivers a bit and just could not find a rhythm until the second half where Aaron Rodgers "The WWE Champ" just kept putting Green Bay on his shoulders and driving his team down the field.

There is no doubt about it that Big Ben is a good quarterback, but an elite one?  I do not think so.  Yes, he knows how to win.  Although the two Super Bowl's that he did win, he never led his Steelers through Foxboro.  He still has two rings.  He still raped two girls and on this day Tom Brady was praised with his second MVP award of his career.

Brady still has three rings and Big Ben can still think of what it would have been to once be in Tom Brady's shoes, but he will need to wait.  Just remember these chances do not come around often, but Big Ben is successful and he may be able to have a shot at his third ring, but not in 2011.

SHOULD RONDO BE AN ALL-STAR STARTER?

When you picked up the newspaper this morning and saw the starting lineup for the East All-Stars there was one person that is missing, Rajon Rondo.  Rondo is avergaing 12.5 assists per game and leads the league and runs the point to perfection for a very talented Celtics lineup.  He averages 10.6 points as well as nearly three steals per game.  He runs the show for the best team in the NBA.  But, is the starting point guard for the East a pushover?  Not a chance.  Derrick Rose is averaging 24.6 points per game and 8.2 assists per game.  His field goal percentage is up as well as his ability to shoot from the outside.  He has matured as an all-around player and has the Bulls sitting at 34-14.  The Bulls are not a team that teams want to play in the playoffs.  Roses' ability alongside Boozer and Noah is just scary.  Not to forget Luol Deng and the mastermind of a coach Tom Thibodeau.
There is no question that Rajon Rondo will be a starter for the All-Star games in years to come, but this year its possible that Derrick Rose has been more valuable to his team.  We do not see Rose as much as we do Rondo and we think Rondo is the best thing in the world since sliced bread, but Rose has proven something and that he is one of the best point guards and players in the game today.
Rose deserves to be starting and Rondo does too but that is the way the cookie crumbles sometimes.  Rondo would much rather be hoisting the trophy in June than be a starter in a meaningless game.

RAY OR PIERCE?

Yes, it may have been teammate banter yesterday in Boston between Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, but who would you take in a three-point contest?

Ray Allen is on the cusp of breaking the all-time record for three-point field goals made and has one of the prettiest strokes in the game.  His swag on the court is like no other player in the NBA.  He has such a quick release and is always square to the basket no matter where he is coming from on the court.  He is no doubt the best shooter to maybe ever play the game of basketball.  He is my vote versus the Truth.

There is an argument for Pierce though.  He is the reigning three-point All-Star Weekend champion, but can he ever win it again especially with Ray Allen being involved? Pierce is one of the most underrated players in the NBA.  He can slash, he can shoot, he plays suffocating defense, and is one of the best closers in the game.  But, a shooting contest, I would bet my car, kids, and bank account of Ray Allen.