Rondo 9-1-1

After nearly four seasons of playing meaningless basketball in Beantown Rajon Rondo has finally been rescued from the depths of obscurity also known as the Eastern Conference into immediate title contention with the Dallas Mavericks. The last time Rondo played meaningful basketball Kevin Garnett actually had some bounce in his step, Paul Pierce wasn’t coming off the bench, and Ray Allen was still in the league.

With with one championship and a few NBA Finals appearances under his belt Rondo may believe that he has seen all, but he will soon learn that life in the Western Conference is a different animal. Unlike the Eastern Conference there are no cupcakes out West, every game is grind because playoff position is always on the line because even a three game losing streak could seal your playoff fate.

Led by aging star Dirk Nowitzki the Mavs playoff window is closing and I mean fast. The next batch of NBA stars are all out West and so far the age of the Mavericks has began to show. After opening the season on fire the Mavs have come to a simmer and with younger teams poised to break through the Mavs were on the verge of settling for the eight seed for the second year in a row or missing the playoff all together.

Although adding an often injured guard who can’t shoot whose known to clash with teammates and coaches does not guarantee a top seed and a ticket to the finals. By adding Rondo, the Mavs now have five players who have won NBA Championships which an invaluable trait that could certainly yield dividends in the clutch. Both the Mavs and Rondo are at a crossroad: Mark Cuban‘s ego is on the line and Rondo poised to ball out since a max contract is on the line. Before Rondo basketball in Boston was a joke but after him there was a championship and conference titles galore. Will Rondo be able to do the same for Mavs out west? Stay tuned…I know I will.

 

Anthony Denmark is a writer for eatdrnkslpsprtz.com. Follow him on Twitter@eatdrkslpsprtz2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. Listen to eatdrnkslpsprtz radio  Subscribe to podcast

New York Knicks beat Boston Celtics in Game 1

The New York Knicks preserved home court in defeating bitter rival the Boston Celtics in Game 1. Although Carmelo scored 36 points it was defense that ultimately made the biggest difference. Led by old man wonder Jason Kidd the Knicks forced the Celtics into turnover after turnover. There were times during the regular season that many pundits alleged that the Celtics were better off without Rajon Rondo, but after Game 1 that argument can officially be put to the rest

In order to be successful in the playoffs talent alone will not get you to the promised land, basketball IQ is essential. Kenyon Martin performed remarkable in the clutch filling in for the foul ridden reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Tyson Chandler. Although championships are not won or lost in Game 1, the Knicks scored a huge victory in securing home court in a series that may go the distance.

In a losing effort the Celtics can take a lot of positives from the game. The Celtics are unlikely to duplicate their turnover parade in Game 2 and it will be wishful thinking to presume to expect Kevin Garnett to frequently miss the jumper that has been automatic for so many years.

Many worried that Carmelo’s scoring alone would not be able to withstand the best coach in the NBA, Doc Rivers and two future Hall of Famers in Paul Pierce and Garnett. This series is far from over but it promises to be an entertainin one none the lease. Stay tuned… I know I will. – A. Denmark

Anthony Denmark is a writer for eatdrnkslpsprtz.com. Follow him on Twitter@eatdrkslpsprtz2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. Listen to eatdrnkslpsprtz radio Tues/Thurs 630 PM EST & Sat 1030 AM EST

NBA Title Hopes – 1 Ankle and 3 knees will be the deciding factor

When NBA fans and pundits began to discuss title contenders and pretenders the key element often overlooked during these debates is the hated injury bug. The injury bug has already crippled the title hopes of the Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics whose point guards Rajon Rondo and Derrick Rose tore their ACLs. Although each of these teams title hopes were dealt a serious blow their playoff chances were unaffected.

As the NBA enters its stretch run the injury bug has begun to rear its ugly head yet again and even the reigning NBA Champion Miami Heat have felt the brunt of its harsh sting. Currently on a franchise record 16 game winning streak Heat fans all held their breath when Lebron James twisted his knee, however fans all breathed a sigh of relief when x-rays came back negative. Although no NBA team has ever been considered unbeatable James injury is reminder of how quickly fortunes can change.

Since James was fortunate enough to avoid an injury scare it appears that the franchises that poses the biggest threat to the Heat winning another NBA title were not so fortunate. The New York Knicks who are a close second in the Eastern Conference behind the Heat is currently without their All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony who twisted his knee two nights ago in a freak accident against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Although the Knicks won the game their chances of securing home court throughout the playoffs were dealt a serious blow with the Indiana Pacers a game and a 1/2 behind them.

However, the Pacers also a star to injury, Danny Granger who is out yet again for an indefinite period of time due his surgically reconstructed knee swelling up after playing extended minutes against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday.

In the Western Conference, the San Antonio Spurs who have the best record in the NBA lost All-NBA point guard Tony Parker for a month due to a sprained ankle. Although the Spurs record will lead one to believe that they won’t miss a beat in Parker’s absence their title hope rest on the ankle of the diminutive French point guard who was playing at an elite level.

As the NBA Playoffs grows near the title hopes of the Spurs, Knicks, Heat, and Pacers can all change due to an errand pass or a wet floor. Despite injury scares by their franchise players each of these teams have continued to persevere even when their stars were not 100 percent. So the next time you discuss title contenders, do what bookies in Vegas do, check the injury report and hope that your favorite team makes it through a meaningless regular season game unscathed. Stay tuned… I know I will. – A. Denmark (@eatdrkslpsprtz2)

NBA Game of the week <Pacers vs. Heat, March 10th>

Anthony Denmark is a writer for eatdrnkslpsprtz.com. Follow him on Twitter@eatdrkslpsprtz2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. Listen to eatdrnkslpsprtz radio Tues/Thurs 630 EST & Sat 1030 EST

Celtic Pride – Following Doc’s orders, Celtics are down but not out

When the Boston Celtics lost the cornerstone of their franchise’s future, Rajon Rondo for the season due to a torn ACL many fans and pundits presumed that all was lost. Although the Celtics were not expected to contend for a title a playoff appearance was expected.

And just when Celtic fans thought it could not get worst their playoff hopes was dealt another serious blow when young promising forward Jared Sullinger was lost for the season due to a back injury. Several wondered whether Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett time as Celtics had come to an end. The lost of Sullinger and Rondo led to widespread rumors around the league that the Celtics were open to trade their two future Hall-of-Famers Pierce and Garnett, to prepare for the future.

Despite these huge loses and trade rumors the Celtics have thrived when many others presumed that the season was lost. Embodying the toughness and resiliency of head coach Doc Rivers the Celtics are currently on a seven game win streak. Pierce has become a facilitator and Garnett has begun to play like a man possessed on the defensive side of the ball.

The Celtics have been playing so well that some have even began to question whether they are better without Rondo on the floor. Although I consider such conjectures to be absurd no one can ignore the poise and play of the Celtics who are clearly playing with a chip on their shoulder.

Rivers won coach of the year when he led the Celtics to their first title in nearly a decade. Although the Celtics are no longer considered to be title threats the success of this teams leaves little question at whose the best coach in the NBA. Rivers said the season would not be over and the Celtics unblemished record since the injuries indicate that the shamrocks may be down but they certainly are not out. Stay tuned… I know I will – A. Denmark (@eatdrkslpsprtz2)

Anthony Denmark is a writer for eatdrnkslpsprtz.com. Follow him on Twitter@eatdrkslpsprtz2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

Live in the past or prepare for the future – Boston Celtics GM Danny Ainge’s big decision

Despite the Boston Celtics being five games below .500 fans were hopeful that a late season run would magically turn the Celtics into a NBA title contender. However, that hope was dealt a serious blow when it was reported that Rajon Rondo would miss the rest of the season due to a torn ACL. Rondo was having the best year of his young career recording five triple doubles and making life easy for his elder statesmen Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. The fate of the Celtics and their two aging stars is uncertain and the direction of the franchise will ultimately rest with the same man who brought the Boston Three Party together, Celtics General Manager Danny Ainge.

The same general manager who was praised for bringing Garnett and Ray Allen to the Celtics may do the unthinkable by trading away his two most valuable assets to prepare for the future of franchise. Due to Garnett’s no trade clause and with Jared Sullinger being untouchable Pierce’s days as a Boston Celtic may be numbered.

Although Pierce has been with the franchise since his rookie year the time has come for the Celtics to start rebuilding and preparing for post-Pierce era sooner rather than later. The blood and sweat that Pierce has given to the Celtics will never be forgotten but the business side of basketball eventually makes the NBA’s greatest stars cap casualties or mid-season trade bait.

Even the greatest player to ever play the game of basketball Michael Jordan was not immune to becoming a casualty to the game of basketball. Fans have a tendency to cherish the championships but often forget about his airness quietly exiting stage left in his last stint with the Washington Wizards.

As the NBA trade deadline draws near the fans in Boston Garden should cherish the last days of an era that saw three Hall of Famers put their egos to the side and inspired a city by bringing a NBA Championship to a franchise that’s glory days were on the brink of being forgotten.

With the Celtics currently out of playoff contention the Rondo season ending injury makes Ainge’s decision to move on and prepare for the future by trading Garnett and/or Pierce that much easier. The future of the Celtics franchise will be built around a new big three: Rondo, Jeff Green,
Avery Bradley, and Sullinger. Will they be able to sustain the standard of excellence set forth by the Celtics who came before them? Will Pierce and Garnett be traded? Stay tuned to this and more… I know I will #celticpride – A. Denmark

Anthony Denmark is a writer for eatdrnkslpsprtz.com. Follow him on Twitter@eatdrkslpsprtz2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google