Friday, December 17, 2010

Boston Sports: Is this heaven?

Is this heaven?
I know, I know. I'm getting ahead of myself.

We haven't accomplished anything yet (Bill Belichick). We haven't won anything yet.

But it feels amazing to be a Boston sports fan right now, doesn't it?

The Pats are steamrolling their opponents, the Celtics are cruising despite the loss of five key players to injury, and the Red Sox are in the midst of one of the greatest (talent-wise) offseasons in team history. As a fan, what more could you ask for, right? 

Welcome to Boston!
Well, growing up in Boston, you might ask for one more thing. You might just ask for the destruction of all New York teams. And you know what? You might just get your wish. While the Red Sox were piling up superstar talents Adrian Gonzalez (one of my favorite hitters in the majors) and wicked fast outfielder Cahl Crawfahd (great Boston accent name), the Yankees were busy getting out-dueled (they couldn't possibly get out-bid) for the most coveted free agent pitcher this offseason- Cliff Lee.

If it were just that, it would be enough. But no, we've got more.

The New York Knicks have been making a lot of noise lately with their surprising 10 game winning streak led by Jewish (wink, wink) PF Amare' Stoudemire. The injury depleted Celtics took the floor at the World's Greatest Arena (according to everyone in NY. I think it's old and has terrible lighting- although the crowds there are very good), Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night- trying to protect Paul Pierce's claim that there was no rivalry between the teams. He basically told the media that the Knicks suck, so how could there possibly be a rivalry? Well, Pierce backed up his statement with an absolutely crushing game-winning jumper from, (where else?) the right elbow. The Knicks actually played pretty damn well, and they have definitely earned respect from the Celtics, but beating a New York team- especially when the fans were so excited before the game- in such dramatic fashion? Aint' nothing better.
J-E-T-S SUCK SUCK SUCK

Well, except maybe for something I like to call the Monday Night Football Massacre. The drubbing the Pats put on the Jets 2 weeks ago? They aren't going to recover from that any time soon. They were 9-2, atop the AFC. Now? 9-4 and in serious danger of not making the playoffs. Victory tastes so sweet. Oh. What's that? You want to know the score to the game? 45-3. No, wait. 

Looks like a gullet to me
45-3

That's better. Eat that Jets fans. Let that one sit for a while. Maybe fatty Rex Ryan will shut his gullet and start teaching his players how to win a game instead of gargling on like a turkey. Mark Sanchez sucks. Santonio Holmes can't catch. Mark Sanchez sucks. I LOVE THIS.

Anyway, enough about all New York teams failing miserably at life. Lets take a closer look at the Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics and predict what the future holds.

RED SOX  

Last Season: 89-73, 3rd place. Didn't make Playoffs
This Season: ??-??

Analysis and prediction: This is going to be an extremely good Boston Red Sox team. They have fantastic hitters from both sides of the plate. They are a great defensive team. And, most importantly, they have a very good rotation (which could be great if they could get ANYTHING out of Josh Beckett and/or John Lackey). The bullpen isn't dominant, but the addition of Bobby Jenks certainly helps what was the Red Sox's biggest problem last season. Obviously, like any team, they need to stay healthy. Luckily, they will get Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia back after both missed extended time last year with tricky injuries. I don't see how any team can beat the Sox in a playoff series, but then again, the Yankees haven't finished "shopping" this winter, so we really don't know what we are up against. For now, I'll say (barring injury) this team should at least have the best record in the AL, and they should be back in the World Series fighting for another title. 


Celtics

Last Season: 50-32, 4th in the Eastern Conference. Lost an excruciating Game 7 in LA.
This Season: 21-4, 1st in the Eastern Conference. 


Analysis and Prediction: Health. Health. Health. If only the Celtics were healthy! Lets say, best case scenario, everyone is healthy for the playoffs. What a freakin' team that would be. They would have the best starting 5 (Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Garnett, Perkins- tied with the Lakers) in the league, and the best second starting 5 (Delonte, Nate, Marquis, Baby, Shaq)- with Jermaine O'neal and Semih "Automatic" Erden still on the bench! Are you kidding me? The depth on this team is otherworldly. And thank god for it, because they need every last guy right now. With Rondo, Delonte, JO, Shaq and Perk sidelined, the C's have turned to 3rd and 4th stringers to pick up the slack. The result? A 12 game winning streak (and counting...) aided by the rebirth of both defensive maestro KG and, to a lesser extent, captain Paul Pierce. As long as they stay relatively healthy they should be in the top 2 or 3 seeds in the East. If, and that is a huge if, they are fully healthy for the playoffs, I don't see anyone stopping them. I think they win the title over LA. 

Patriots 

Last Season: 10-6, 3rd in AFC, 1st in East. Smoked in the first round bye Baltimore.
This Season: 11-2, 1st in AFC, 1st in East.


Analysis and Prediction: Wow. That is all I have to say about the Patriots' recent performances, or should I say executions, against the Jets and Bears. The Pats are coming together right in time for the stretch run. With a victory against the Rodger-less (that's what the papers are saying, no one really knows 100 percent yet: via Simmons' twitter- http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/111973654.html) Packers, the Pats will all but have wrapped up the number 1 seed in the AFC, needing only a win against the Bills or Dolphins to secure home-field throughout the playoffs. Wouldn't that be sweet. Reminds me of the 2003-2004 Patriots teams: 14-2 and the number one seed. Let me just say this: if the Pats continue playing like they are right now, no one is going to beat them. Not the Falcons, Eagles, Ravens, Chargers or Saints. No one. They are dominant. They are relentless. And most of all, they are proving everyone wrong.They are on a mission to bring the Lombardi Trophy back to its rightful place. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady have been brilliant this season, and they are both hungry for that next ring. And, by the way, if they get it, they may finally be considered the greatest coach/quarterback of all time. Screw one game at a time- this team is going to win the Super Bowl in Dallas on February 6th, 2011, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.


The Pats will be raising another Lombardi Trophy this year!


We haven't won anything yet, but we will very soon, starting with the Patriots.

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