The Boston Box Score

TYLOR TOURVILLE

As the Celtics dropped game 2 of their first round series against the New York Knicks this past Tuesday by a score of 87-71, it appears that this may spell the end of the Boston Celtics season, and possibly any notable playoff success in the future for that matter. As a persistent optimist in most situations, I think it is time to step back and look at this Celtics team for what it is – riddled with injuries, and an offense that is consistently inconsistent.

Going into the series against the Knicks, Celtics fans in general had a positive outlook. Sure, this team had their struggles and lost a lot of key players throughout the course of the season, but they still managed to finished 3 games above .500 and avoid playing Miami in the first round (although I would not have minded that, as noted in a previous BBS podcast). As soon as the playoffs started, we seemed to forget all of this and assume that the Celtics would “flip the switch” and blow through every round – an epic re-match with the Heat seemed inevitable. The Mr. Optimist in us was strong and ready for a long playoff run. Let’s take off those green-colored lenses and return to earth for minute.

This series versus the Knicks is almost a perfect microcosm of the Celtics’ regular season play. Defensively, they hold their own – the Celtics held the Knicks to 41.6% FG and 86 PPG. The red-hot Carmelo Anthony, averaging 35PPG in the first two games, is getting his points, but has just 2 assists in those two contests. 2013 6th Man of the Year JR Smith has averaged 17 PPG, but is only hitting 32% of his shots. The Celtics are doing everything they want to on defense – force one player to beat them, and take care of everyone else.

It is the offensive problems we have seen all season that will eventually be the nail in coffin of the Celtics’ season. This team overall can put together a decent offensive game on paper – they finished the season 6th in the NBA in Field Goal Percentage. However, as anyone who has watched even one Celtics game this year can attest to, this team goes through stretches where it cannot buy a basket. Three reasons why the offense was so anemic – the high turnovers (game one in particular), the bench’s inconsistency (I’m looking at you, Jet), and the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde act that is Jeff Green. Yes, he can dunk over people and make bring you out of your seat. However he is so here-or-there that you cannot trust him to be the X-Factor that he needs to be in this series. Look at the first two games of this series: Game 1, he scores 26 points, game 2 he scores 10 points. Just that in itself should convince you, but it gets even more drastic – in the second half of the first two games, he is a combined 1-11 from the floor. Throw in the fact that he has 3 assists and 8 rebounds between the two games, and the point I am making is very clear. Is Green a talented, exciting player to watch? Of course, when he puts his mind to it. Has he been that consistent 2nd option on a team that needs offense? Absolutely not. Now I realize that Jeff Green is not the only one who has been underwhelming, especially in the playoffs so far for the Celtics. Kevin Garnett hasn’t been able to get into a rhythm due to foul trouble – Paul Pierce is trying to do too much and committing a lot of turnovers. And besides a couple of 3s in game two, where the heck has Jason Terry been?

The only exception to the example, and maybe an encouraging sign, is that the Celtics have held their own on the boards. They were even in game 1 at 40 apiece, and kept it close enough in game 2. They hold their own despite an opposition that features some strong rebounders such as Tyson Chandler and a Kenyon Martin with something to prove (why didn’t the Celtics pursue him again?).

As the Celtics come home to the friendly confines of the TD Garden, they certainly have the potential to win one or both games at home, especially with their backs against the wall. But haven’t their backs been against the wall all year, considering all of the adversity they have faced? As I stated in the podcast this week (Take a listen!), the Celtics might show us flashes of what they could be, but will ultimately fall in 6 games to the Knicks. Even if they surprise me and win this series, I still  have my doubts in the next round, no matter who they play. The Bulls always give the Celtics trouble defensively, especially anyone who has the pleasure of being guarded by Luol Deng, and the Nets have the size and rebounding (a Celtics weakness) to go along with an all-star point guard in Deron Williams. The Celtics going down 0-2 against the Knicks is a harsh realization that their run of playoff success might be coming to an end. First of all, they are down to the Knicks, a team that the Celtics beat last year (in a 2 v 7 match-up, but  with the seeds reversed) and secondly, everyone around them (the Nets in particular in addition to the Knicks) seems to be getting better from year to year except them.

That was the Mr. pessimist side of me that I have been suppressing for so long about this Celtics team. The Mr. optimist part of me, however, is still fighting, telling me that this team will eventually realize what is at stake and play like the championship contender that their fans know they can be. However, the task of overcoming an 0-2 deficit against a confident team with a Carmelo Anthony looking to break through and change his legacy? Beating the Celtics has become a rite of passage for teams to go to the finals. Look at the Heat, look at the Magic when they went to the NBA Finals a few years ago. The Knicks appear to be next in line (good luck against the Heat though). As of right now, things are not looking so great for Mr. Optimist – but that does not mean he will go down without a fight.

 

Baseball season is finally here, and we are just as happy as you are! With the Red Sox taking the first game of the season last night in the season opener against the Yankees, we at the BBS thought it would be appropriate to share our thoughts on the AL in 2013. Heading into the 2013 baseball season, there are a lot of question marks and head scratching going on when trying to sort this highly contested division out. With a lot of young new faces, and a new manager who seems eager to right the ship, can our beloved Sox be washed anew, and compete for a pennant? Will the Yankees, who are running out of healthy bodies, still find some way to stay in the mix? Will the Will the Toronto Blue Jays’ plethora of additions make them relevant again? And will the up-and-coming Baltimore Orioles continue to get better under the guidance of Buck Showalter and prove they can consistently play with the big boys? And finally, will the Tampa Bay Rays string together enough offense to ride its high-powered pitching staff, led by 2012 Cy Young Winner David Price, to the division crown? Some of our staff at the BBS give their take on how the AL East will shake out in 2013, and most importantly, where the Red Sox end up. Also, let’s count how many times Jackie Bradley Jr. is mentioned, just for fun (by the way, did you see that catch?).

Tyler

 1. Blue Jays
2. Red Sox
3. Yankees
4. Rays
5. Orioles

The Blue Jay’s rotation, anchored by R.A. Dickey, was strengthened the year with the addition of Mark Buehrle. Mix their deep pitching staff with an equally deep lineup, and the Blue Jays are your 2013 A.L. East Champions. Look for the Red Sox to bounce back this year with new management, a revived bullpen starring all world closer Joel Hanrahan, and a balanced defensive unit that benefits greatly from the call up of (1) Jackie Bradley Jr. The Yankees are older than the salsa in the back of the fridge, but they’ll squeak out a 3rd place finish.  And despite having talented young rosters, it won’t be enough for the Rays and Orioles, who round out the bottom of this year’s A.L. East.

Tylor

1. Rays
2. Blue Jays
3. Red Sox
4. Orioles
5. Yankees

The Tampa Bay Rays may have lost some big names like BJ Upton or James Shields, but this team is still stacked as far as pitching goes, and should continue this pedigree behind the dominance of David Price, and the emergence of Matt Moore, Jeremy Hellickson and Alex Cobb. Can they come up with enough offense is yet to be seen, but enter Yunel Escobar and Ben Zobrist into the mix, and this team looks like it could be the most consistent of the bunch. The Blue Jays take the wild card, because to me, that is what they are. Let’s see if the Miami Marlins version 2.0 works in the AL East, I think it will. The Red Sox come in 3rd, but don’t be disappointed – the future is looking bright (enter (2)Jackie Bradley Jr.), and anything other than the basement is an improvement from last year, which we as Red Sox fans need to forget. I have little faith in the Yankees because money can’t fix injuries faster (though they might find a way, who knows), and the Orioles’ shininess has dulled a little, and I think reality will start leveling out expectations.

Justin Denbow

1. Blue Jays
They look stacked at this point, which is exactly how the Miami Marlins looked last year, expect different results from a team who should fill up their stadium. Don’t expect a huge year from RA Dickey – 94 wins.

2. Red Sox
I want to believe. The offense looks a little shaky if David Ortiz is out for an extended period of time, but I’m giving my boys hope that they will come together and snag a wild card. Expect a Cy Young for Jon Lester – 91 wins.

3. Rays
This is the year that the trades catch up with the pitching staff, as they remain competitive, but slip to the fringe of a wild card – 89 wins.

4. Orioles
By all accounts, they could win the division, but I’m anticipating growing pains. If Wieters gets injured, kiss the season goodbye. Expect Manny Machado to have All-star numbers.

5. Yankees
Call me a homer, but it looks like you won’t have to call many homers from the Bronx Bombers. The roster looks like a mess, Michael Pineda has no return date, and everyone is hurt. If they can stay afloat through the injuries, they have a chance – I don’t think they will. Expect Robsinson Cano to get real paid before the Dodgers can offer him 250+ mil. 81 wins.

Bryan Stackpole

1. Tampa Bay Rays
Though on paper the Blue Jays look like the cream of the AL East crop, the Rays have started to earn a pedigree in the division. I have a hunch that this is the year that Evan Longoria puts it all together into a superstar season that will challenge for the MVP in the junior circuit. Add that to the already strong power/speed combo that Desmond Jennings brings to the table, with Wil Myers lurking in Triple A Durham, and this is a dangerous offense. The pitching staff shouldn’t even notice the loss of James Shields at all. David Price is a stud at the top of the rotation, and Matt Moore could join him this year after a strong second half. Throw into the mix Alex Cobb and you have strong rotation with those three alone.

2. Toronto Blue Jays
The winners of the off-season by far, but as we’ve seen with the Red Sox and the 2012 Miami Marlins, that doesn’t always translate into winners in October. I love the addition of Jose Reyes who I think will thrive playing in a tough division with a competitive team for once. The real question with the offense is if Jose Bautista will struggle after his wrist injury last season, and if Edwin Encarnacion can repeat 2012. The rotation is also a strength with Mark Buerhle, Josh Johnson, and Brandon Morrow, not to mention a reigning Cy Young in R.A. Dickey that will only be improved by pitching his knuckler in a dome for half his games. Only problem is I think it takes them too long as a team to mesh and they lose out on the AL East crown due to a slow start.

3. Boston Red Sox
Call me an optimist, or call me crazy, but this is a toss up for me on the 3-5 in the East. The Sox retooled the squad since August of last season and I for one am enjoying the outlook. Sure Shane Victorino, Johnny Gomes, and Mike Napoli aren’t likely to win a championship in Boston, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see them challenge or win a Wild Card spot. The big question is how the rotation can do. A strong season by Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz are essential for success. If John Lackey and Ryan Dempster can give solid seasons as well with around 13-15 wins, this could be a very good team. After all this is just a bridge year right? We’ll see what (4) Jackie Bradley Jr says to that…

4. New York Yankees
I’m usually down on the Yankees and am always surprised when they win the division or make a run on the playoffs.  This year I have a good feeling I’m correct in burying the Yanks. Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira, and Alex Rodriguez will all spend significant time on the DL this year, and Derek Jeter and Phil Hughes will start the year there too. The injured Yankees would put out a better line-up than the healthy ones at this point. Vernon Wells hit .222 in the past two seasons and he exemplifies the Bronx Bombers of the new Steinbrenner era. I just don’t see how they can make up for a poor start that will likely occur, even when everyone is healthy. With Ichiro Suzuki, Vernon Wells, and Brett Gardner in the OF, this line-up won’t be that great…unless we get a time machine back to 2007.

5. Baltimore Orioles
I hate to do it, but in my eyes the O’s are not a contender until they do it year in and year out.  Buck Showalter did a tremendous job getting the most out of the 2012 O’s, but too much went right to believe that they can replicate that again in 2013. Manny Machado should continue to improve nicely and the 2014 squad could be lethal, but until Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausmann are blanking the Yanks and Sox in big games, I feel like this unfortunately is the Baltimore of old.

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Tylor, Tyler and special guest and BBS Contributor Justin Denbow discuss the major headlines from all four Boston sports teams. Starting with the Red Sox and the 22-year old phenom Jackie Bradley – should he make the opening day roster? Also, Daniel Bard was optioned to the AA Portland Sea Dogs – how will that affect him as he tries to become a contributing major-league pitcher again?

We then move onto the Bruins, who lost out on the Jerome Igilna sweepstakes last minute on Wednesday night, choosing the Pittsburgh Penguins instead. This Bruins team is good, but are they slipping as favorites?

The Celtics beat the Kyrie Irving-less Cleveland Cavaliers to stop a 5 game losing streak Wednesday night, but it took a buzzer-beater by Jeff Green. KG and Courtney Lee are sidelined(both left ankle injuries), but the playoff seeding seems pretty stable with the season dwindling down. Would the Celtics want to see the Heat in the 1st round?

The Patriots finally signed OL Sebastian Vollmer to an extension (4 years). Also, Thursday they signed WR Michael Jenkins, formerly with the Minnesota  Vikings…..so I guess that’s a thing. Who are the most eligible WRs left on the free agent market?

BY TYLOR TOURVILLE

The Boston Celtics’ valiant effort to end the Miami Heat’s epic winning streak came up just short on Monday night, resulting in a 105-103 loss at the TD Garden, and a mixed bag of emotions from Celtics fans. On the one hand, we saw some good things, most notably Jeff Green, who had a career game with 43 points, who stepped into the starting role with Kevin Garnett sitting out his second straight game (illness, thigh). On the other hand, this was a game that the Celtics controlled for much of the first half, and it would have been encouraging to see them close this one out. Granted, this is easier said then done, especially when playing against a team with a guy named Lebron James on the roster. As much Celtics fans (and I am certainly one of them) despise Lebron, it is just silly how great he is, and he has seemingly grew a clutch gene.

Now that we have had a couple of days to digest such an emotionally-packed game, let’s take a look at what this loss means for the Celtics. First of all, let’s put to rest the argument that if KG were to play, the C’s would have won. Had he played, yes it would have been a different game, but we have no idea what kind of game that would have been. Therefore it is not productive to play the “what-if” game in this situation.

The fact of the matter is that the team that was on the floor for the Celtics put together a great game. They out-shot the Heat from the floor and from 3, shot and made more free throws, competed on the defensive glass (29 apiece) and shared the ball (24 assists). However, in a playoff-type game, the mistakes are what will always be magnified. The Celtics had 21 team turnovers to the Heat’s 16. The Heat scored 17 points off of those turnovers. Now this is a situation where we can look and say that if you had committed a couple of less turnovers, you will probably come out on top in a game decided by two points, especially on a night where you shoot almost 55% from the field and 47% from beyond the arc. In a team that has been decimated by injuries, as Captain Paul Pierce put it after the game, “We’ve got to be consistent in everything we do throughout the whole game. We don’t have a lot of room for error.”

In conclusion, from an optimistic standpoint, you can feel good about what the Celtics did in the loss this past Monday. When they share the ball, keep the rebounding close, and play Celtic-team defense, they can beat anybody. With a team that has lost some important pieces, taking care of the ball is crucial. I am getting a feeling that the general consensus is that the Celtics might have the only shot to beat the Heat when the Eastern Conference playoffs roll around. With a game tonight (8:0pm) against a struggling New Orleans Hornets team (losers of 12 of 15), it will be interesting to see if they put together a whole team effort on the heels of the most emotionally-taxing game of the season. No game moving forward is a guarantee, especially with the way the Celtics have let inferior teams get the best of them (Bobcats, Hornets earlier in the year, etc.). If we are going to continue to feel good about this team’s chances moving forward, they need to limit those mistakes night in and night out.

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The Patriots free agency frenzy is in full swing, with the headlining deal being Danny Amendola coming in to replace Wes Welker. Wes Welker has moved on to Denver, but who out of these two will have a better season? Also, the Patriots came to terms with CB Aqib Talib, CB Kyle Arrington, and S Adrian Wilson, with DE John Abraham and DE Dwight Freeney coming in for visits.

T&T also discuss the significance of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett moving up on the all-time scoring list this past week. Where will they eventually end up when all is said and done?

By Tyler Kirwan

Wes Welker is not made of titanium. He does not regenerate limbs like a star fish. He cannot get run over by a steam roller, and then blow himself back up by sticking his thumb in his mouth. He’s a 32 year old football player who takes nearly as many hits as an NFL running back. And what happens to every running back in the history of the NFL after they turn 30? They break down.

In 2009 Wes Welker had a season ending knee injury. Not from taking a hit, but from making a cut against his own shadow in the open field. When New England’s star wide receiver blew out his knee in the regular season finale, it meant he would have the entire offseason to recover. Keeping his resume of games played without injury looking pristine. But if this injury had occurred in the first game of the year, Welker would have missed the entire season just like Tom Brady in 2008 and just like Danny Amendola in 2011. Every NFL football player is highly susceptible to injury, including Welker.

But everyone in New England is in an uproar. Most of them spit their Dunkie’s all over their dashboard when they heard the Patriots let Welker leave the team. They said, “Welker has taken so many hits for us” and “No one has sacrificed his body by going over the middle more than Welker”.  Well folks, that’s exactly the point Bill Belichick is trying to make. You can’t continue to take those hits into your mid 30’s. New England was able to squeeze out 2 insanely productive years from Welker after the age of 30. There is no need to roll the dice again as Welker enters the twilight of his career and closes in on retirement. Were they supposed to pay him and wait until he has a mediocre year with lingering injuries? No, that’s what the rest of the league would do.

This is what the Patriots do: They cut the cord just in time, or maybe even a year early so that they can replace players with someone younger. This has been the model for the past decade and will continue to be the model as long as Belichick is steering the ship. But still, a large portion of New England is acting like the Patriots are the Jacksonville Jaguars and this is just another bone headed move by a down trodden franchise. The Patriots did not drop the ball like Wes Welker did in the Super Bowl 2 years ago. They don’t have the luxury of thinking with their hearts like we do as fans. They made the shrewd move, and they made the right move. Remember, Welker couldn’t find big money on the open market either. His 2 year, $12 million deal with the Denver Broncos shows where Welker’s value stands with the rest of the NFL.

The Patriots chose to sign Danny Amendola instead of Welker. Let’s look at his deal for a moment. At the end of Amendola’s 5 year, $31 million deal with the Patriots, he will be the same age that Welker is now. Only $10 million of Amendola’s contract is guaranteed, so if he does get injured, he only gets a third of his money. He is two inches taller and is about .02 seconds faster in the 40 yard dash than Welker. At 27 years old, Amendola is in the prime of career. A career in which he has never had the chance to play with an elite quarterback. I’d be curious to see Welker’s production with Sam Bradford throwing him the ball for an anemic Ram’s offense. These are just a few of the reasons the Patriots let Welker walk to bring in his younger counterpart.

It’s a shame that the business side of football isn’t structured to reward Welker for his loyalty. But history has taught us that Wes Welker’s body will break down over the next 2-3 years while he and Peyton Manning hobble around the field together. Meanwhile, Amendola is poised to put up huge numbers in the Patriot’s extremely slot friendly offense. His ability to step outside the slot and stretch the field every so often will benefit the offense as well. As great as Welker was, Amendola has the potential to be even better.

By Bryan Roche

The Bruins third line has been the topic of much scrutiny early on in this lockout-shortened season. Stalwarts Chris Kelly (2-4-6, +/- -6) and Rich Peverley (3-4-7, +/- -8) have started off slower than expected, helping to facilitate ex-line-mate Chris Bourque’s departure and subsequent demotion to the AHL’s Providence Bruins. The pundits have clambered that the Bruins need to go out and grab a third line winger but honestly, why all the panic? The Bruins are 17-3-3 and sit forth in the Eastern Conference with 37 points, one point back of division leading Montreal. The big name that keeps popping up is Calgary’s Jarome Iginla. The Flames are last in the Western Conference, six points out of a playoff spot.

For those who follow Flames, you know it is not the organization’s intention to blow the whole thing up but with a lack of young talent in the system and two viable chips in Iginla and goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff, it would not shock me to see the organization change their mind. With that being said, is it really worth it for the Bruins to trade what would be a hefty bounty to get the 523 goal scorer just to fill a gap on the third line?

Iginla is in the last year of his 5 year, $35 million deal and Boston has over $8 million available in cap space so financially, the Bruins can take the $7 million cap hit. Realistically, Iginla would be a rental and could possibly return to Calgary after the season is over. If the Flames do decide to take offers, they will want a whole heck of a lot in return for the future Hall-of-Famer. Iginla would bring incredible depth to a team that has two of the best lines going in the NHL right now but for the asking price, it is not worth it for the Bruins to pillage their young talent pool for a gap on the third line.

The Bruins organizational depth is one of their biggest assets and with a solid top six on the first two units, the need is not there, especially for the price. Until third line production becomes a serious issues, the Bruins have options in the system they can try out. With Bourque’s name now crossed off the list, 22 year old Jordan Caron will get his shot to stick around with the big club. Caron, the 25 overall pick in the 2009 NHL entry draft, has seen time with the big club in each of the last three seasons, spending most of this season with the P-Bears. In 44 games with Providence this season, Caron’s put together a 10-5-15 line. The 6-foot-2 winger saw action in 48 games with the B’s a season ago, contributing 7 goals, 8 assists, and 15 points. Caron’s not a guy who’s going to set the world on fire but he’s still developing and once he learns to be more physical, he could be another effective power forward in the Bruins’ arsenal.

Another internal option is Swedish centerman Carl Soderberg. The rights to the Soderberg were acquired by the Bruins in a 2007 deal that sent goaltender Hannu Toivonon to the St. Louis Blues. Soderberg leads Linkoping HC of the Swedish Elite League with 31 goals and 60 points. Soderberg has never played an NHL game. Over the past week, reports surfaced that Soderberg hopes to join the Bruins after the SEL season. Not much is known about Soderberg’s game as he has spent his entire career in Sweden but he could be an intriguing addition to this Bruins roster without having to give up anything in return.

If the third line’s lack of production continues I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Bruins make a move but considering how the rest of the team is playing, it doesn’t seem necessary to give up young pieces to bring in a big name rental. If the top six weren’t scoring, I’d be on team Iginla, but they are. The Bruins don’t have a pressing need to grab a goal scorer so why take the risk? For the price, adding an Iginla or someone similar just doesn’t make sense, but of course, a couple of injuries teamed with a cold streak could change my tune.

At the end of the day, we’re only talking about finding a third line winger and if that’s the Bruins biggest issue at this point of the season, well…I’ll take it.