How Rivalries have changed Over The Years

Back in 19993 I was watching some NBA experts talking about Shaquille O'neal's emergence as an NBA superstar. Former great Bill Walton was reffering to how Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlin were oddly together, laughing and kidding with one another during a get together for one of Shaq's first official commercial shoots. He talked about NBA rivalries and how when Russel and Chamberlan were competing they were not friends, but strictly rivals on a competitive level. He mentioned his rivalry with Kareem, "Jabar and myself, we weren't friends at all. Magic Johnson changed all that." Magic did change all that. He and Larry Bird reminised about recent battles for the title to the press over the course of their career in a heart felt manner to a degree. . Magic and the Pistons' Isaha Thomas once even kissed at a game..atleast Isaha Thomas kissed him and Magic apparently had no problem with it. But where are competitive rivalries headed now and in recent years. There have been more brawls between players than before. When Lebron james talked to his father about getting swept in the finals by Tim Duncan and the Spurs, his dad replied that he shouldn't have bothered to shake hands with him after it was all over. Does one really have to hate his competetor to win? Are we headed back to a mentality and influence associated with the Chamberlan Russell rivalry, the befriending Magic era, or are things in this perspective perhaps getting more balanced? For instance, many players who you'd think wouldn't be close are friends. Lebron james and Dwayne Wayde for instance, both shooting gaurds who have faced each other in the playoffs, are quite close. In the 2006 playoffs Lebron was even giving Wade tips on how to play against the Pistons, James having just lost to them in the prior round. What do you think?

Sentementality can't change that....however!

Larry Bird, Robert Parish, ainge, mchale, Walton, were all big names not just in the basketball world but in the city of Boston itself. They did commercials for local establishments such as tasteful steak house. I can't recall the name. They gave Boston the joyous gift of pride, strength, a little love, and most importantly faith. Eventually Bird retired. Mchale, Parish and Reggie Lewis helped keep the Celtics as playoff contenders for a little longer until Mchale retired, Parish went to Charlotte, and Lewis died of an overdose. When Mchale retired, I remember announcer Bob Costas doing a brief documentary on his career. In it he mentioned,"The Celtics are in the midst of a sorry season. Sentimentality can't change that...". He went on to talk about Mchale retiring his jersey at halftime. I have a vague recollection, but my point is is that fans and the city of Boston kept their sentimentality toward the Celtics and their history, and focused on the big picture. Fifteen years later, they have a team record regular season and win the championship against a team with the league's MVP, Kobe Bryant. It just goes to show that though sentamentality every now and then may not change things on a tangible level, it nurtures and invigorates the soul, wether it be a person, city, or sports team, or all three. To any team or person out there that is going through a negative transition in their career, or even in their personal lives, I urge you to soften your soul and see the big picture every now and then.....Peace out.

Obama and his pride

Barack Obama has his pride. He denied over seventy million dolllars from public funding, insisting he can gather up more money privately. Thus, he has gained a celebrity status with his charisma and good looks. Is this race between Obama a debate over the issues such as healthcare, the economy overall, etc. or has it become a popularity contest based on celebrity appeal. What do you think readers. Feel free to comment. I haven't gotten any in quite a while and I'd love to hear from all of you.

Celtic's Contradicting Defense

Talk about a dribbling contradiction, the Boston Celtics were scrutinized for their poor defense just over a month ago when they were playing against Detroit in the conference finals. Now, some poeple are considering them to be the leagues toughest defense. What brought about the change? For one thing, they are contesting more shots and playing very tough one on one defense. Kevin Garnett and james Posey have the gift of great aggresive man to man defense, Garnett being the defensive player of the year. Rondo played great defense as well. He comes up with the steals and leads transition when Boston needs him to. It's amazing how just a few weeks ago, NBA insiders Charles barkley and Kenny Smith were saying Boston had no all around defense with the exceptio of Kevin Garnett! Even I, doogy was criticizing their defense. I thought early on it seemed kind of weak. I wouldn't say they have the BEST defense in the league. That would have to go to Detroit .

Don't Listen to me

O.K.< I'm an idiot. Jackson and Kobe tried to regroups. Kobe is still an asset. I'm wrong. however. The Lakers have poor defense compared to the Piston's defense and the Cav'e defense Boston recently played against. Boston has more talent on their team and has proved themselves as a defensive powerhouse in dramatic fashion. It's gonna be Boston in five or six games.

Was Celtic's Advantage Temporary or a Permanent Fix?

Boston displayed great one on one defense against Kobe, using Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and James Posey quite effectively. They even displayed great defense aginst him as a unit. I still, don't think, however, Kobe was having his best of nights. In addition, he had not figured out how the Celtics were going to attack. Kobe now knows where the Celtics will try to stop him. He is a versatile player. He may end up dishing it off more often. He may end up scoring most of his points at the line. Bryant will make adjustments as well as Phil Jackson. I don't think the Celtics have completely shut him down. We must give him some credit as far as his savvy and ability to read defenders. Los Angeles was not shoooting the ball very well in the second half, when it really counted. Though many of their shots were contested, they had some descent opportunities. Derek Fisher is no match for Rondo, however. This guy is in the zone after playing against Chauncy Billups. This is still anyone's game. Homecourt is a factor. It's definitely going to a game six.

Pierce with Dramatic Comeback:Boston Comes Up Big on 'D", Wins 98-88

Boston's somewhat flaky defense has actually become an important asset thus far in these NBA finals, holding KObe Bryant to just 9-26 shooting. Their defense won them the game along with an emotional second half surge highlighting Paul Pierce's heroic return/ Paul Pierce shook off a sprained knee in dramatic fashionafter whisking to the locker room in a wheelchair, reminiscent of injured Willis Reed's return in game seven of the 1970 NBA finals. His return re-sparked the Celtics' drivewith 5:04 left in the third quarter. Though Garnet had thirteen rebounds, he was just three for thirteen in the second half. Pierce came back to make two three pointers in just a 22 second span. The dramatic return performance gave Boston a a 75-71 lead where they dominated from then on. Though Bryant(scored 24 points) inssited he had some good looks but was just out of rythum, instant replay shows many of his shots being contested by swarming Boston defenseseemingly coming from out of nowhere. Los Angeles choked offensively in the fourth quarter and there are going to be some close games ahead. Phil Jackson now has an idea of where Boston will attack defensively and is expected to make major adjustments. It's anybody's series right now.