Coyne's Clippings (Who had Giacomo?)

So the Celtics went down in a blaze of glory Saturday night... I still don't know what to think about the future of Antoine and P-Squared. I want Pierce still around in a C's uniform, as well as 'Twoine for the right price ($6 million a year?), but I think we've seen as far the team can go, haven't we? I really do think they should have gotten out of the first round, but to challange Miami for the Eastern Conference title, please. When you have Mark Blount taking up a roster spot, and more importantly, a huge contract under the salary cap, you've got problems. Also, how come no one talks about LaFrentz's contract, which is like $11 million a year! He's a decent role player, and could start if needed, but why are we talking about giving Antwoine $6 million a year, while LaFrentz is clearly overpaid at $11 million!

I like Bob Ryan's "column" today because I don't think he's knows what to think about this situation either. So he defers to his emails from readers about what they think, ranging from trading Paul Pierce for Ron Artest, to trading both Pierce and Walker and handing the team over the Al Jefferson and crew (a mistake).

I think the best conclusion, is that no one wants to be Danny Ainge right now (didn't we have this feeling last year at this time as well when Ainge traded Walker)?

Best of all, I'm not involved, and get to see it unfold. We'll see what happens...

"BIG AL" Al Jefferson posted a double-double including a career-high 14 rebounds in the Celtics overtime win over Indiana last night to force a deciding Game 7. It will take place Saturday night at the Fleet!

Coyne's Clippings

Bob Ryan is all over Paul Pierce for throwing the elbow on Jamal Tinsley that got him tossed. In words only B.R. could construct, "...last night we entered a hoop twilight zone in a game that featured the single most unforgivable, untimely, stupid, and flat-out selfish on-court act in the history of the Celtics."

Think he's not fired up for the playoffs? Maybe he should be reminded that it's still just round one!

And can we talk about how well Ricky played, not to mention BIG Al! A double-double for the rookie including a career-high 14 rebounds! And I guess you have to tip to cap to Employee Ocho, that big three-pointer he hit (which was followed by a hint of the Walker Wiggle) along with the runner in the lane, both in OT, helped secure the win. But he took 26 shots! And I'll over look the agregious timeout called by the Celts at the end of overtime (I believe). All Boston had to do was inbound the ball, and the game would have been over, but Doc Rivers called a timeout, and kept hope alive for Indiana... I was looking for the play-by-play to point out the exact point, but coundn't find it. I'm not sure I'm sold on Doc Rivers as a great coach.

In other news, I got High Fly to win the Kentucky Derby this weekend, along with Wilko in an exacta box. Weather I actually make it somewhere to put the bet in is another story. Of course, just as long as Bellamy Road doesn't win (Steinbrenner's horse), I'll be happy. Can we talk about how bad the Yankees are yet? They are tied for last place with an 11-18 record. (Stinko De Mayo says the NY Post) I'll give them another week or so before I really lay into them, it is still early. Remember last year when Jeter started off like .217 or something in the month of Arpil, well he hit a respectable .292 by the end of the year. IT'S STILL EARLY!

Can we talk about Ricky last night? He absolutely carried the C's, especially in the first half. I was VERY impressed. You know he can score, but to take over like that in Game 6 of the Playoffs on the road... that might warrent a contract extension.

Coyne's Clippings

It's back, I realize I haven't posted a link to an article in a while. And I haven't really seen anything worth posting recently... Just this Bob Ryan gem from April 22 where he calls out Nomar for taking steriods. Imagine if he had taken the Sox four-year, $60 contract offer during spring training of 2003, he might have retired at the end of that contract as a Red Sox legend for life, a bonafied member and contributor of the 2004 World Series team. Instead he become a footnote and folklore.

On to more recent news... The Providence Journal of all places, has this insightful piece on the future (more aptly the demise) of Atlantic 10 Football. 2006 looks to be the end of the A-10 Football Conference with all the teams playing in the Colonial Athletic Association (C.A.A.) if they elect to keep football... If only UMass had gotten its act together a couple of years ago (late '90s) and moved football to I-A, they could have joined the BIG EAST, and become a power. Instead, they deal with this junk of a conference based out of Richmond, Va.

The article of the day comes from Chicago Sun-Times columnist Jay Mariotti who has a deep look at the gambling issues of Michael Jordan. It's pretty insightful in the sense that he talks about how Jordan has more to lose than money with this whole gambling thing, he's tinkering with his legacy.

And L.A. Times columnist T.J. Simers had this thoughtful piece about an ordinary guy, who was doing some extrodinary things around Dodger games...

Finally, no comment about the Celtics yet, I'll be interested to see how the end of Thursday's game goes... win or lose, how will Antoine respond, how will Pierce respond, how will Ricky Davis respond? They are the true leaders of this team, and if they can't show Boston the way to win over a depleted, junk-of-a Pacers team, they don't deserve to be around. I guess that is a comment on the Celtics playoff appearance. Jackie MacMullan also sums up what the C's are up against, and it not that good of a team. INDIANA STINKS! And now by letting it become a series, Jamal Tinsley is back for the Pacers, and the Celts are in a real dogfight. They better get 'er done, or risk the wrath of the town (Boston) ripping them to shreds.

Other than the fact my sister is "wicked smaht" graduating MAGNA cum laude from West Virginia Wesleyan College, this is all you need to know about the weekend trip to Buckhannon, W.V.