DID THE RED SOX OVERLOOK ENOUGH STARTING PITCHING?

Lester, Buchholz, Beckett, Lackey, Matsuzaka.  A very solid core of pitchers going into the 2011 season.  What about if one of those pitchers tweeks a hamstring? Has an elbow problem? Who will be able to take a spot in the rotation?  Felix Doubront is already experiencing elbow problems at age 23 and the season has not even started yet.  The ageless Tim Wakefield will be there as he always is, but he always ends up on the DL with a back problem or leg problem.  I am a little worried if one of these starting pitchers goes down because there is not much depth for the Sox.  I know those five guys came into camp in the best shape yet, but anything can happen and it could ruin their run to a 2011 Word Series title.

All free agents in the off season made an easy decision because they know the Sox starters 1-5 are set and stone, so why would you want to come to Boston if you were not going to start if you are a starting pitcher? I don't blame them, but I hope Theo and Tito get together and find another person who can start in the future.  Scott Atchison did it once last year and pitched well, but I would rather him in the bullpen.  We'll see what happens, I was kidding...I'm not that worried.

SHOCKER...PERK SHIPPED TO OKC

Shocking news out of Boston right before the trade deadline.  The Celtics shipped center Kendrick Perkins to Oklahoma City with shooting guard Nate Robinson in exchange for Jeff Green and Nenad Krystic.  Is this good news for the Celtics? Well, do we have a healthy center? The answer is no.  Kendrick Perkins is one of the most underappreciated big men in the game.  Yes, he is coming off of major surgery and just reinjured his other knee, but he was the best defensive center in the Eastern Conference, hands down.  Maybe, we dislike the trade because we have no seen enough Jeff Green or Nenad, but there must be another piece to this puzzle.  The Celtics must be making a push for Troy Murphy or Rasheed Wallace or else it makes no sense.  Jeff Green is a solid playing averaging about 16 points and six rebounds a game.  The Celtics are just worried about Perk's health.  But in my opinion, the Celtics had talks with Perk's agent and the two probably just disagreed on the amount of money Perk deserves in the year 2012.

We will find out come playoff time if the Celtics are better off without Perk.  All I am saying is the starting five for the Celtics have never lost a playoff series when healthy.  It looked like those starting five guys were starting to click, so what gives?

It will be an interesting end to the 2011 year and hopefully the guy who helped win us banner number 17 (Jeff Green/ trade for Ray) can help us win banner number 18.  Ubuntu.

ARE THE KNICKS NOW A THREAT TO TAKE OVER THE CELTICS? (YAWN)

Look, let's be serious here...The Knicks pulled off a fabulous trade to bring one of the most talented superstars in the NBA to New York, but who will help out Amare and Carmelo? Sure, Landry Fields is great and many think Chauncey Billups, but Billups is getting older and is injured every other week.  Raymond Felton was the top reason why the Knicks are where they are today.  A team needs a true point guard to win.  Yeah, Amare's presence is great too, but Felton is key.  I know in 2012 when Deron Williams and Chris Paul are free agents one of them will sign with the Knicks and then they will take over the green, but not now.  The Celtics have too much depth and are more talented from player 1 to player 12.  Rondo, KG, Ray, Pierce, and Perk have never lost a playoff series together.  Sure, they want home court advantage, but in reality it does not matter to them.  They want health.  The Knicks will make a run to the playoffs, but I think they are nothing but a "one and done team" especially if they have to meet the darkhorse of the East, the Chicago Bulls.

In two years, yes, I believe the Knicks will have more talent than the Boston Celtics only because the green's stash of Hall of Famers will be at home and retired.  But, Don't count the Celtics out with a core of Rondo and Perk because they will have plenty of cap space to make big moves.  They may not be the one seed they are now in two years, but they will definately be a beast in the east along with the elite teams such as the Heat, Bulls, Knicks, and Magic.

DO THE Bs NEED TO MAKE DEAL AT THE DEADLINE?

The Boston Bruins were on a roll until they met the Detroit Red Wings in a home and home matchup this past weekend.  After back-to-back losses, it is raising many questions about the Bs consistency, but what is there to panic about?  They are first in their division and fourth in their conference.

The Bruins could use the remaining cap space from Marc Savard's remaining contract to try and get a punk-moving defenseman or some depth in the scoring column.  Another defenseman or scorer will not hurt the Bruins, but at the right price of course.  The Bs are willing to trade the Maple Leafs 2011 first round pick, but is that smart? I don't think so.  Blake Wheeler's name has been on the market as well as Mark Stuart in exchange for Tomas Kaberle which makes the most sense for Boston.  Zach Bogosian, a 20 year-old defenseman for the Thrashers name also came up. 

It will see what buttons Chiarelli will be willing to push, but he should not go crazy because the Bruins are in a good position heading forward.  The media and fans are blowing this way out of proportion.  We will see what happens come the end of February.

WAS THAT THE CELTS BEST WIN OF THE YEAR YESTERDAY?

Shaquille O'Neal, Delonte West, Marquis Daniels, Semih Erden, Jermaine O'Neal all were out with nagging injuries.  Paul Pierce had one point.  The first time in over 10 years that Pierce did not hit a shot from the field.  It was okay though because Rajon Rondo took over the game.  He notched a triple-double sparking the Celtics to a much needed victory.

Trailing by four at halftime the Celtics came out in the third quarter and shot 83% from the field building a lead by as many as 13 points only to see it shrink in the fourth quarter to a one possession game.  LeBron misses the tying free-throw with 12 seconds left, a better script could not have been better, but the real story of this game was that the Celtics only scored 11 points in the fourth quarter and were able to win the game due to their suffocating defense.  The defense in the fourth quarter was remarkable.  The rotations by the big men were flawless.  Jeff Van Gundy said it best yesterday on the broadcast, ..."that rotation by the Celtics defense should be on ESPN Top 10, but it won't be because people don't care, but that is why they are a championship team every year," said Van Gundy.  I could not agree more.  KG and Perk were leading the way as Rondo was hasseling LeBron all day.

The Celtics were very short-handed yesterday and Doc did not even know if he would have enough players to dress, but people stepped up such as Ron Von Wafer who had 10 points in 12 minutes which sparked a third quarter rally.  For one time Pierce could not get going.  It may have been his foot injury, hand injury, sickness or covering LeBron for half the game, but that is why they are a well-rounded team.  His teammates picked him up and the Boston Celtics regained sole possession of the best record in the Eastern Conference. 

Again, the Celtics proved that they are tougher than the Heat and have more chemistry.  Obviously, KG is in Dwayne Wades head after their little altercation in the third quarter.  The Heat are 0-3 versus the Celtics this year and if they want to be the best they are going to have to beat the best.  Ubuntu.

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.