Bravo

This is a little late, forgive me, been away for a while. The Lakers have now won their 16th NBA title putting them just one behind the Celtics. While watching this series, choosing which one to pull for was about as hard as deciding whether i'd rather die by drowning or by bleeding to death...they both make me cringe.

In the end I would say I did pull for the Lakers, only so I didn't have to listen to Boston fans for another season (while I am a Redsox fan I will wholeheartedly admit the fan base is like the vuvuzelas at the world cup). But as the series came to a conclusion and the Lakers made just enough plays to win, one main theme that emerged in my head was how much credit the Celtics deserved.

This was a team that was left for dead after a terrible second half where Doc made the decision to limit their minutes and save them for the playoffs and what a brilliant decision that was. Had the Celtics won the title you can make an argument they would have been one of the most improbable champions ever. In truth, this was a series of two champions the Celtics of '08 and the Lakers of '09 for the most part. The prize for the winner was walking away with bragging rights and declaring themselves the real best team of the last three seasons.

There was a lot of talk about Kobe being thrown into the same category as Jordan but forget it. By no means did Kobe lay an egg like he did in '08, but he was not Jordan, he was not the reason the Lakers won. The reason they won is because they had slightly more energy than Boston; they were younger. How else can you explain the huge shifts that these games had from one to the other? Legs and airplanes.

It was ironic that the hero of this postseason was not Kobe, but Ron Artest that made the difference with his defense of Pierce and Pau Gasol suddenly growing some nads.

What the Celtics did prove is that they were true champions, while this season it is only Eastern Conference Champs, one might wonder what could have been had KG not been hurt last season. They may have been looking at a possible three-peat, all three over the Lakers. But instead now it's L.A. that will pursue it's three peat, and maybe Phil Jackson pursuing his fourth career three-peat (wow). But it's truly the slimmest of margins that this is so, and while the Lakers get the parade, banner, and ring--we would be remissed to not truly appreciate what Boston did...they just simple ran out of gas.

We need this one tonight.....Bad

I'm not suggesting what-soever that we need this game to win the series, but it will make it ten times easier if we get a win tonight. I would not look forward to two games in LA with being down two games.
We've been grinding out wins when weve had to. It hasn't looked all that pretty. With how many turnovers we had in game 2, Ray's shooting kept us in it. And I wont even mention Shrek and Donkey from game 4.
It's pretty simple on what needs to happen in game 5. The big 3 really need to show up and contribute more than they have. Artest has been playing rediculous defense against Paul, but I'm lookin for the Truth to be shootin off of screens tonight. Ray's been a little cold as of late, and KG hasn't exactly been himself. The whole team has been scrappy enough to win without these guys doin their normal thing out there. If they pick it up, the whole team will rally even more behind them.
Speaking of LA, Manny's coming home on Friday. But lets not get ahead of ourselves. One day at a time. Better safe than sorry. Thats what Moms always says.

How much do you agree with me? Scale 1-10. 1 being I agree with you pretty good. 10 being holy hell I agree with you.

You're scared of the claw

King Kong aint got shit on Me

I am the Christ of Max Dirt Bike. Finished the game in under four minutes. And I was throwin down on some back flips. Imagine if I brought focus to the table? What kind of damage could I really do? Let me know if your in my ballpark for this game and Ill bring you some heat.

http://www.addictinggames.com/maxdirtbike.html

No Taxation Without Representation!

It's the day of days for USA soccer. As of right now we are about an hour away from one of the most anticipated games in US soccer that I can ever remember. It may not be quiet as anticipated as events like MLB Opening Day, or as much of a holiday as the Super Bowl has become to America, but the fact is that futbol is the most popular sport in the world; just not in America.

Why is that?

We Americans like our winners. What has this US team won? Really, nothing. Our olympic sports like Basketball, Hockey, and Baseball (formerly olympic sport) have all won gold medals and they are sports intrinsic to America. Soccer on the other hand hasn't made it past the Quarterfinals in it's history and hasn't even sniffed a World Cup final.

A funny thing happened in the 2009 Confederation's Cup. The United States made a final! The nation seemed to get behind their team (in a tournament far less prominent than the World Cup) after they defeated the number one ranked team in the world, Spain. The US even offered more shock when they grabbed a 2-0 lead in the final against #2 Brazil...before the soccer power woke up and beat the US 3-2.

This has proven that the US can compete on the top level if they play as they are capable of. In the 2006 World Cup, under high expectations, the United States choked, not advancing past the group stage and scoring only one goal. Although, there was still a bright spot in tying eventual champion Italy 1-1, proving, again that they can compete with the best.

We don't know how this US team will respond to the increased pressure of Americans (gulp) expecting them to compete or at the very least breakthrough the group stage, but what we do know is that the potential is there not just for team growth, but for growth in fans. I, myself have watched every US soccer game I can, however never have I felt this excitement for a match (it may just be cause of playing the 'ole chaps from across the pond) and others are feeling it as well.

"I am absolutely stoked," said US Soccer fan Willie Martin. "The World Cup is my favorite event."

"This win today could be the greatest win for a national US team since 1980 (hockey team), it is a long shot but it would be one of the biggest shockers ever," said fellow blogger Dennis LeClair.

While we still have some to win over...

"I'm so pumped I couldn't sleep last night...nah, actually I hope the US wins but I won't be watching," said "American Sports Fan" Chris Janke.

All I know is this is a national event, and it deserves that attention. If this team goes on a run it could change the way soccer is perceived here in the United States and grab some bandwagoners along the way. Let's hope today's result is similar to the Revolutionary War.

Go Red, White, and Blue!

Live Blog: Lakers-Celtics

Check your balls tonight

I clean up shit at work so the radio is a must. Evidently, the level of optimism isn't too high with Boston sportswriters. This is the time of year where testicles are thoroughly checked. The NBA doctor cups your balls, and tells you to cough night in and night out. As a fan, especially a Boston fan, its important to make sure your berries have dropped to the correct positon below the twig.
Its scary to know how shitty we played in game two. I dont know how, but banner 18 is coming to Boston. Theres just way too much grit to go around on the green team. So later tonight, bring your "optimism" to wherever your watching the game.
FYI, I'll be at the whip throwing down dollar drafts for every three ball Ray drops. If you don't want to join me, Dennis can hook you up with some Extenze in aisle 22.
Three posts in a row? Im like Papi in '04.
Sleep tight sluts

Thank you Raymond

Ray brought it tonight. Big time. Between the foul trouble and turnovers, Jesus brought buckets. Big buckets. Buckets with those buckets then buckets on top of those buckets. Lakers need bandaids for those wounds tonight. Kobe, Dennis has your back in aisle 10.

Gasol did back up his mouth a little, or I should say KG did it for him. Im not gonna throw out any numbers but KG didn't have the cleanest game of his career. No doubt he'll bring it in Bean Town.

Rondo. Nothing needs to be said.

Keep it simple for you late night readers out there. Big night on Tuesday.

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