Although I truly feel that the Bruins have swung the momentum in this series with the Caps, you truly never know how a playoff hockey game will end. What I do know is that the Bruins will come out with a sense of urgency tonight. They will be ready. They don’t spend time worrying about who’s feelings are hurt or who said what about whom. They are hockey players and they are a team. I cannot wait to see how that translates tonight.
When you talk about a team that continues to impress everyone with their team play, it is the Celtics. Every night they play above expectations. It doesn’t seem to matter who is hurt. Last night they won without Rondo and Allen so Pierce stepped it up…14 assists and Bradley scored 23. Yes, the Magic were without Howard but I might argue that Rondo is more valuable at this time. Sunday they won without Pierce, Garnett and Allen. Even the Knicks game was not a disastrous loss. Any team that shoots like that from way behind the three point arc is going to win. I was amazed that the C’s made it close at the end. They are playing great.
The breakup of the UConn basketball team has begun, and with it possibly the end of the Calhoun era?? Oriakhi is transferring to Missouri, Drummond and Lamb are going into the draft. With no NCAA or Big East Tournament this year, the recruiting class will also take a hit. Given his health situation, does Calhoun really want to spend the next 3 or 4 years rebuilding the program? I think it may be time for Tom Moore to make the move from Quinnipiac to Storrs. Just a thought.
The Red Sox. Where to start. Make no mistake about it. Texas is good. Real good. But so is the talent on this Sox team, or should I say in this organization. I think we need to be a little patient right now. It was a brutal opening month schedule that continues this weekend with the Yankees coming into town. One might argue that this is the weakest team that they have faced to this point. Tigers, Rays, and Rangers? Wow. Boy could we use a four game set with the Royals or the A’s. Papi looks great. Sweeney has been a great surprise, especially in the late innings. The Muddy Chicken and Aviles have been solid. Gonzo and Ross are OK and Youk, Salty and McDonald are basically automatic outs so far. That’s not enough for a team that has so many questions on the mound. Beckett has been very solid in two of his three outings, as has Lester. Both of them need a solid fourth start for us to at least exhale a little bit. Buchholz pitched very well after a shaky start in his last outing. Friday against the Yankees is going to tell us a lot more about where he is! I think Doubrant and Bard have been fine. The manager has been OK. He has shown a pattern of leaving guys in there to work out of their own jams and it hasn’t worked out so far. Those things tend to even out over a long season. I’m not thrilled with Bobby V so far, but I don’t think he is the main reason for a 4-8 start. I think the schedule is. I do however think that if things don’t start to improve in May, the Sox should definately look at making some changes. We have some pretty good talent knocking on the Major League door and it may be time for Aaron Cook, Will Middlebrooks, Ryan Lavarnway to make their way into the lineup. Perhaps there is some pitching available in trades for established players??? Again, thinking out loud….
The 100 year celebration at Fenway is going to be awesome! Could you imagine what it would be like to be having this if 2004 and 2007 never happened????
