NBA FanHouse

Darius Miles Could Really Screw the Blazers

Matt Watson — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:05:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Trail Blazers, Suns, Eastern, Western, NBA Injuries, NBA Rumors, Boston, Phoenix

Darius Miles hasn't appeared in an NBA game since 2006, and in April it was determined by a doctor appointed by both the NBA and the Players Association that his injured knees were so messed up that he'd likely never play again.

Though the Blazers (or more likely, their insurance company) still have to pay the man, that doom and gloom prognosis allowed the team to shave the remaining $18 million he's due over the next two years off the salary cap. But there's a catch: in order for the Blazers to stay in the clear, Miles can't return to the NBA -- or more specifically, he can't appear in at least 10 games over the next two years.

Trouble is, that's exactly what he's trying to do. The Boston Globe says he had "an impressive workout" with the Celtics, and the East Valley Tribune reports (via Shoals) the Suns have also inquired about his services. If he can convince some team out there to take a chance on him and he sees even spot duty this year, he could end up sabotaging Portland's master plan.

What are the chances he actually has any game left? If you remember, Miles proclaimed himself "90% healthy" last December when he was cleared to resume conditioning drills with his teammates, and it wasn't until problems with his Achilles tendon surfaced that he was officially ruled out last year.

In hindsight, it's possible the Achilles thing was just a minor speed bump, the natural by-product of resuming NBA workouts (and dropping 30 pounds) after two years of relative inactivity. And if that's the case, it's probably just a matter of who Miles ends up with, not if someone will take a shot.

Yes, there are some character issues (he'd have to sit out the first 10 games of the season for violating the league's drug policy), and even though it seems like he's been in the league forever, he's still just 26 years old. Stranger things have happened than a former lottery pick getting a second chance. He'll never be the same player he once was, but if all he costs is the veteran's minimum, it wouldn't cost much to see just how close to being that player he can get.

And if that happens, then things just got a lot more complicated for the Blazers.

Darius Miles Could Really Screw the Blazers originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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James Posey: Not Feeling Boston's Offer

Tom Ziller — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:03:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Clippers, Rockets, NBA Rumors, Boston

As Situation Maggette remains unresolved, lesser wing free agents seem to be biding their time before the first domino falls. In one case -- James Posey -- a player are just now finding out they are considered lesser wing free agents than Corey Maggette, and that really sort of makes him upset. From the Boston Herald:

Free agent James Posey, via agent Mark Bartelstein, continued to talk to other NBA suitors in the wake of what he considers an unacceptable offer from his former team - one that falls short of the $5.8 million mid-level exception as well as his desire for a 4- to 5-year deal.

Boston has reportedly made that contract available to Maggette, which might contribute to Posey's air of insult. But is anyone willing to offer Posey -- a great defender, but a 31-year-old with limited offensive skills -- more than $25 million for four years of work? Bill Ingram of Hoopsworld reports Houston might throw that cash at Posey, to which I say ...

... what?! Posey is a poor man's Shane Battier. And the Rockets -- specifically general manager Daryl Morey -- love Shane Battier. They traded Rudy Gay for him. And Battier makes only $20 million over the next three years, is two years younger, and shoots substantially better from three on his career. Why on Earth would Houston bring in Posey when they have Battier, and why on Earth would Houston replace Battier with Posey? Makes no sense.

James Posey: Not Feeling Boston's Offer originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:03:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maggette Faces the Ultimate Ring-or-$$$ Test

Tom Ziller — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, 76ers, Clippers, Boston

Odd headline to come across: "Celtics extend offer to Maggette." The Boston Globe's excellent Marc J. Spears offered the news. Yeah, the Celtics, who just won a title and have guys named Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett manning the 2-4 positions on the court, the team who will be tapping the Grousbeck kids' college funds to pay the luxury tax for the next few years. Those Celtics, going after one of the top free agents on the market, one of the few guys assured to switch teams and certainly worth more than the mid-level.

If the Clippers renew their commitment to Elton Brand, as expected, Corey Maggette's gone. He'd have to be renounced by the Clippers in order to squeeze in Baron Davis' $13 million. That means L.A. can't sign-and-trade Maggette, which would have been the easiest way for the guy to get a contract in the $7-10 million per year range. Assuming all that happens (Maggs is renounced, Brand resigns for $13 million or so), Maggette's options above the mid-level shrink profusely. There's Philadelphia (if they strike out on Josh Smith), Memphis (unlikely), and maybe Golden State.

So if it becomes a mid-level fiesta, Boston's brilliant for getting into the sweepstakes early. They can offer Maggs the same contract almost every other team can ... and they can also offer the best shot at a ring (though the Lakers might quibble). Can they offer a starting role? I don't see Allen slipping into back-up mode just yet, not after that glorious Finals performance.

Luckily, Maggs has been ... taught how to deal with a bench role. In 2006-07, when the Clippers just missed on a playoff berth, Maggette came off the bench 44 times. His scoring output -- already illustrious -- increased in that role, though his famous efficiency dipped substantially. Would Maggette go back to a sub-30 minutes/game prison, all in the name of team success and perhaps a promise of the two-guard spot when Allen's contract expires in two years? Keep in mind that Maggs is 28 and hasn't had one of those massive contracts yet in his career.

Maggette Faces the Ultimate Ring-or-$$$ Test originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Could the Celtics Beat Team USA?

Tom Ziller — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 11:15:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Boston, USA Basketball, FIBA

The potent BrewHoop asked last week if the champion Celtics stood a chance in a best-of-seven series against Team USA (which features no Celtics). Via BallHype, WhatIfSports ran the simulation ... well, 1,000 simulations, to be more exact.

Using 1,000 separate simulations of a seven-game "NBA Championship"-esque series, we determined the most common result to be a Team USA victory in five games. This outcome occurred 85% of the time, with an average 14 point margin of victory.

The odds have LeBron James or Kobe Bryant winning the MVP. (Revenge!) It seems WhatIf uses the standard NBA home court advantage (home teams win 60% of the time, given equality in quality), though Team USA really has no home court. (They played well in Vegas, though.)

Perhaps more interesting would be to see how Boston would theoretically fare against other top national teams, like Spain or less star-driven Lithuania. Though, if the internationals won, Dan Shaughnessy's head might explode (which might not be the worst outcome).

Could the Celtics Beat Team USA? originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 28 Jun 2008 11:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA Draft Crystal Ballin': Boston Celtics

Tom Ziller — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, NBA Draft, Boston

Crystal Ballin' takes a team-by-team look at what should, could, and probably will happen in the June 26th NBA Draft.

I'm sure the Celtics staff spent the entirety of this weekend watching tape of Jason Thompson and Sonny Weems. I'm absolutely sure of it.

Picks: #30, #60.

Needs: What's a champ need? Well, if P.J. Brown and Scot Pollard are shrugging back toward retirement, a suitable big taller than 6'9 (sorry Leon Powe, Glen Davis) might be in order. Assuming James Posey and/or Eddie House get rich, another guard could be useful.

Best case scenario: Chris Douglas-Roberts would be Heaven-sent at #30. Ryan Anderson would be a potential Omega to the bench bruiserism of Powe and Baby.

More likely scenario: Courtney Lee has been rising, but so have two dozen other fellows. Danny Ainge might be all over that at #30 if he's on the board. Bill Walker is another possibility -- a guy who might not contribute next year, but could be a star.

Please don't take: I'm not in the business of telling defending champs what do. ... OK, okay, o.k. ... beware Trent Plaisted and his Provo roots! (Actually, I feel like I could guarantee Ainge will select Plaisted if he's on the board at #60.)

Trade possibilities: Boston has no ability to move up, really, unless Powe is exiled. (Doubtful.) A sale of the pick could happen, but I don't see much action here.

NBA Draft Crystal Ballin': Boston Celtics originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA Finals Wrap Up

Elie Seckbach — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Lakers, NBA Playoffs, NBA Videos, Boston, Los Angeles, The Word, FanHouse TV

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded NBA Correspondent, brings his exclusive NBA reporting to FanHouse. Check back here regularly for more videos.

In this video we look back at the NBA Finals and hear from Finals MVP Paul Pierce while NBA MVP Kobe Bryant reflects on how the NBA game is becoming more like soccer. Around 2:10 into the video hear what one former NBA Star has to say about the referee controversy.

AOL Video link. Youtube link.

NBA Finals Wrap Up originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You Too Can Purchase Your Own Larry Bird Replica Mustache

Will Brinson — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, NBA Fans, NBA Playoffs, Boston

The idea of purchasing a Larry Bird Replica Mustache is nothing if not intriguing. I would wear that little plastic fake fur strip a lot, to be honest and ... oh. I see. It's not fake. Someone is actually selling their real mustache hair on EBay. Go on.

Sadly, Larry Bird's mustache is no more, however, you can have the next best thing...a PERFECT REPLICA GROWN SPECIFICALLY FOR THE 2008 NBA CHAMPIONSHIP. This mustache was worn during each grueling playoff game, being treated with the highest degree of care (shampooed/conditioned daily, trimmed weekly.)

Winner will have the option of receiving the mustache by one of two methods:

1) Shaved off with an electric trimmer and inserted into a plastic, sandwich bag.
2) Waxed off, keeping the shape and integrity of the mustache intact (recommended)

Inexplicably, the mustache (the real hair off someone's lip!!!) is currently selling for $5.50. Un-real. Of course, it was at $0.99 before Hot Clicks ran with it this morning, so fur-man, you can thank Jimmy Traina for that extra coin you're pocketing.

You Too Can Purchase Your Own Larry Bird Replica Mustache originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The 'There Can Only ...' Spoofs May Not Ever Go Away

Will Brinson — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:45:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, NBA Media Watch, NBA Playoffs, NBA Hair Watch, Boston

Just like any internet sensation, the spoofs on the "There Can Only Be One" NBA ads seem like they will go on forever. (All I can think of here is the SNL "Lazy Sunday" parodies, which were funny at first, but were soul draining after about, oh, the fifth one.) But eventually they will die out. They have to.

Fortunately, they won't die before we get to see the bearded Boston radio guy doing a thank you to the Celtics.

Let me tell you one thing folks: you shave half your head simply to make a spoof on the NBA, and you are going to get some blog love. That's just the facts.

H/T: Hot Clicks

The 'There Can Only ...' Spoofs May Not Ever Go Away originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lakers 'Had Too Many Europeans' Says Brilliant Boston Columnist Shaughnessy

Tom Ziller — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Lakers, NBA Media Watch, NBA Playoffs, Boston, Los Angeles

Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe, please share with us why you think the Celtics won the championship.

"Kobe Bryant scored 22 for the losers, but ultimately LA just had too many Europeans."

Calling a team soft is one thing. Asserting certain players aren't big or tough enough to bang with heavyweights, that's a common practice and perfect sensible as a critique if the facts back it up. Indicting the ethnic lineage of a group of players in generalist sense? That's racial profiling, buddy.

Pau Gasol might be an example of one of these "soft" players; it's easy to see Kevin Garnett dominated Pau physically repeatedly, including in a few memorable possessions in Game 6. If we're talking about Pau and Pau only, I'll buy it: Pau's lack of ability to adapt to a physical matchup hurt the Lakers. And hey, include Vladimir Radmanovic all you want. Dude's built like a Bourne villain and averaged 3 rebounds this season. (You'll get no agreement here that Sasha Vujacic and Ronny Turiaf are softer than the average NBA player. Turiaf watched his chest get split open three years ago, for corn's sake.)

Does the so-called soft nature of Pau or Vlad have an iota to do with their ancestry? Of course not. Pau's skinny for the center spot, and has always had the skills suited to a finesse offensive game. Same with Vlad. Same with Peja. All Serbs and Spaniards are not the same, just as all Southies and gremlins are not the same. You'd think we'd get past stereotypes lazy and offensive at some point this eon.

And I mean, seriously Shaughnessy: the San Antonio Spurs have won three titles this decade featuring a roster full of Euro-born (Tony Parker, Rasho Nesterovic) and Euro-bred athletes (Manu Ginobili, Fabricio Oberto). The argument that the Lakers lost because the racial makeup of their roster isn't just stupidly offensive; it's offensively stupid. (Of course, this is expected with this particular writer.)

Lakers 'Had Too Many Europeans' Says Brilliant Boston Columnist Shaughnessy originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Surely Kevin Garnett's Emotional Outburst Was Not Purposely Marketable

Will Brinson — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:20:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, NBA Media Watch, NBA Playoffs, NBA Last Night, Boston

Honestly, it never occurred to me, while watching Kevin Garnett's insane post game interview with Michelle Tafoya, that he might be taking a whole slogan-savvy approach to the whole thing. But then I read Darren Rovell's article about the celebration, and I gotta admit, the idea that the Big Ticket was pimping out Adidas ("ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!") does hold a little water.

For a second, I thought that is so great. How often, in the first interview after you win the championship, do you quote the slogan of your shoe sponsor (adidas pays Garnett for his endorsement)? And then I thought, wait, did he just say, "Anything is possible?" That's not adidas' slogan. Their slogan is "Impossible Is Nothing.

One of Rovell's readers points out that Li-Ning, a Chinese shoe company, already has "Anything Is Possible" pegged as their slogan, albeit in Chinese (yiqie jieyou keneng). So either Garnett messed up or he just didn't mean to do any advertising at all.

I am siding with the latter argument -- while it is a spectacular time to give a shoutout to the people that pay you millions of dollars a year to wear shoes -- that there's no way Garnett could have planned out a speech-style advertisement and then screwed it up.

Don't get me wrong, I think that is something we will see soon following a sporting event, and already have to an extent, with boxers getting tattoos and what not. But KG just doesn't seem like the type to take it to that level in any of the "big three" sports. Too intense and honest, even if that scene last night was out of a meth-inspired Under Armour ad.

Surely Kevin Garnett's Emotional Outburst Was Not Purposely Marketable originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Will Rondo's Success Alter Draft Strategy?

Tom Ziller — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:35:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, NBA Draft, NBA Playoffs, Boston

Rajon Rondo's status among the great young NBA point guards will be discussed fully this summer, I suspect. It's a hard argument to make because no point guard in the league derives so much of his talent from the defensive end, and few are as well-rounded (21 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, 6 steals -- who let Andrei Kirilenko circa 2004 in this thing?!). As we've found out over the past couple years, defense -- on the individual level -- is really hard to measure.

It seems worth noting today that Rondo is youngest starter on an NBA champion since Tony Parker in 2003. Parker turned 21 during the Spurs' playoff run that season, and had Speedy Claxton to buoy him in the backcourt. This year, 22-year-old Rondo shared the point with Sam Cassell and Eddie House in the Finals, but still played over 30 minutes per game.

Myriad teams passed over Rondo in the 2006 draft for guys like Quincy Douby, Patrick O'Bryant, Mouhamed Sene, Cedric Simmons, and Oleksiy Pecherov. Rarely do guards or swingmen get drafted based on their defensive potential; when they do (Tayshaun Prince), the choices are criticized. And to be fair, it's dangerous for an exec with a tenuous hold on employment to pick a perimeter defender in the draft: if the team defense is no good (Knicks), then your potential defensive wiz kid (Renaldo Balkman) will have no chance to look alive. Gunners can score no matter how bad the team offense is. Disruptors require community help.

What players would Rondo's success endorse this draft season? Russell Westbrook would be the first name I'd find -- like Rajon, Westbrook's jumper has been questioned, but no one denies the brilliant athleticism and focused defense he offers. Lower-valued guards like Chris Douglas-Roberts and DeMarcus Nelson should be included in this conversation, as well. We'll find out next week if anyone thinks Rondo has greater implications.

Will Rondo's Success Alter Draft Strategy? originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Does Lamar Odom's Angry 4th Quarter Say Anything About Anything?

Tom Ziller — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Lakers, NBA Playoffs, Boston, Los Angeles

For the most part, the Lakers' resistance to Boston's overpowering second-half swag looked mild. Kobe Bryant stopped running, Pau Gasol refused to challenge anything, and the assorted garbage-timers just heaved bombs the entire fourth frame. When the game got out of reach, no Laker played to save face, no Laker seemed to take issue with the stylish exclamation marks fellows like Eddie House and Leon Powe offered.

No one but Lamar Odom, that is.

Odom continued to drive into the lane, earning eight free throws in 10 minutes in the fourth frame. And he took immense exception to a hard foul from Kevin Garnett with five minutes left, peeling himself off the floor to yap in The Ticket's face ... as the Celtics led by 36. Clearly, Odom thought the foul, at that point in the game, was dirty and insulting, and he wouldn't stand for it. (KG didn't really disagree; in his own universe, he just let his eyes dance, like there was a party in his head.)

But really, does Odom's irrelevant effort in solitude signify anything? Probably not -- an L.O. cynic would chalk it up to dude lacking any sort of context for any moment of the game (which, in theory, explains his all-too-frequent moments of unconsciousness in the closing seconds -- like that charge at the end of Game 4). But Odom's a proud fellow, and I think that's what came out as he fought fought fought against the overwhelming current of Celticdom.

I think it'd be valuable to keep this weird effort in mind this summer when trade rumors pop up. L.O. was basically the only Laker who wasn't OK with the Celtics winning by 40. It's a minor slice amid otherwise watery Finals production, but it means something.

Does Lamar Odom's Angry 4th Quarter Say Anything About Anything? originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Game 6: Celtics Make the Grotesque Beautiful

Tom Ziller — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Lakers, NBA Playoffs, Boston, Los Angeles

In the long-form tradition of The Rotation, Tom Ziller considers the action the morning after each game of the NBA Finals.

Proper perspective for the absurdity of Game 6 does not exist. The NBA can call this one weird season on infinite counts, but the sum of all other nonsensical haps in the league really cannot compare to what the Celtics franchise provoked on its way to the championship.

Boston's series win isn't a surprise: as Brett Edwards wrote last night, everyone knew it was coming after that mystical Game 4 win in L.A. But this? A complete blowout from the start of the second quarter? Garbage time?! Eddie House alley-oops to a 180in' Tony Allen?!? GATORADE ON THE HARDWOOD!!!!

Simply and utterly absurd ... but just real enough to change the entire face of the league.

For me, the persevering image for this Finals series will be the Boston sideline as the final minute ticked off the clock. Kevin Garnett speaking Farsi and looking like a candy kid hopped up on too much MDMA. Kendrick Perkins introducing his youngster to a dude trying to coach a basketball game. The fans standing closer to the action than Pau Gasol did all night. Paul Pierce alternately looking like he'd vomit, he'd scream, he'd cry, he'd strip down and take a victory lap.

Celebrations can be beautiful (just not when the Spurs are involved), just as dominating performances can be beautiful (just not when the Spurs are involved). But Boston went further: with Rajon Rondo's erratic behavior at the lead, the Celtics made defense look beautiful, and possibly changed the way the league works.

Before the season, everyone questioned Rondo (myself included). His maligned jumper caused the brunt of the distrust, though his inexperience came in a close second. Would he be able to keep his composure in the tight games? Would defenses dare him to shoot all year long, and gang up on Ray Allen or Pierce?

The entire series wasn't a tour of grace for Rajon, no -- he lost his composure at times, and Kobe spent the past week daring him to, in fact, shoot. But I think Rondo has safely answered the questions as to whether he's, um, good enough to be a, um, starting point guard on a championship team. Why is he good enough? Because he is a master defender, possibly the best defender at the position already.

And why was Boston good enough? Because the team defense is masterful.

Here's the impact on the league: defense is cheaper to buy than offense. James Posey cost $3.4 million this past summer. P.J. Brown, chased because of his savvy more than anything, came in and played defense and rebounded for a pittance. Garnett's been an All-World defender for a decade, but he's making $20 million because he's a former MVP who once dropped 24/14/5/2 for a season. Kendrick Perkins gets paid by the rebound! Pierce has never made All-Defense, instead building his name on his five 25 ppg seasons. Rondo might have been the best defensive player in the 2006 draft, and he fell into the 20s while 20-ppg college scorers and next Carmelos flew off the board.

And Tom Thibodeau ... well, let's just say the aggregate cost of the free drinks he'll get in South Boston this summer will outpace his Grousbeck-signed paychecks. This guy couldn't get an interview in Indy last summer!

The beautiful scorers and dishers may rule this league from a cash and charisma standpoint, but the beautiful disruptors will reinvent this. Just as Boston assembled a top-drawer set of rejectors, other teams can look to beat the odds by focusing on the undervalued lepers who trade buckets for steals, dimes for deflections, jumpers for charges.

And Boston -- a team who plays slower than anyone and skews heavily toward defense -- showed the product doesn't have to be unsightly. Few plays were as electric as Rondo's myriad steals. These didn't always come off irresistible athletic endeavors, but ultra-solid rotations and keen anticipation. Makes your heart flutter, doesn't it? But it did! I saw you gasp when he took the ball away and ran! Maybe you cried, even!

San Antonio's been around the block a little bit. People know them, we understand it's a team based on solid defense all around complimented with a couple key offensive weapons. But few teams think they can build a roster like San Antonio's.

After Boston took Buford's family recipe and added some spice, more teams will swing this way. Get ready for the NBA's Defensive Renaissance, predicated solely on this Game 6.

Mapping the NBA gives Excel spreadsheets some balls.

As an odd slice of Boston's long, strange journey to the trophy room, the Celtics actually got better as the postseason went on.

In the Finals, Boston suffered no defeat as gnarly as Game 3 against Cleveland (-24) or Game 4 against Detroit (-19). Both losses in L.A. were tight affairs in the end. Until Game 6, this series really was rather close. Boston-Atlanta wasn't close in anything but the win-loss ledger; the Cleveland was unbelievably uneven and weird. In aggregate, Detroit held tightest to Boston (on the back of Game 4), but the Celtics' two road wins killed it.

Thanks to Game 6, the Celtics went 4-3 in elimination games this postseason, but with a +73 margin. Thirty-nine point wins mean somethin', yeah?

Game 6: Celtics Make the Grotesque Beautiful originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kevin Garnett Is Emotional, Complimentary

Matt Watson — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:55:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Eastern, NBA Playoffs, NBA Videos, Boston

Considering Kevin Garnett once broke down in tears during an interview while talking about how much he hates to lose, it shouldn't have surprised anyone to see his reaction after finally winning a title last night. The "anything is possible!" scream seems a tiny bit contrived, but everything after is just raw emotion to the point that it's a little uncomfortable to watch.

Stick with it, though, because it gets a little funny right around the 1:39 mark when he compliments Michelle Tafoya (ahem, at least the second time he's done so on the air this playoffs). He may be borderline insane, but he's always the gentleman.

Kevin Garnett Is Emotional, Complimentary originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Celtics Win! Let's Break Things!

Matt Watson — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 07:25:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Eastern, NBA Fans, NBA Playoffs, NBA Videos, Boston

As you can see above (and in this video here, and this picture here), things got a bit out of hand in Boston following the Celtics' win. I've never understood this "Yay, we won! Let's riot!" mentality, but to be fair, it's hardly unique to Beantown. Even so, whatever happened to acting like you've been there? It was the Celtics' first title in 22 years, but you'd think all those recent Patriots and Red Sox titles would have prepared fans to act a bit more maturely. All in all, police reported 14 arrests made in connection to last night's celebrations.

Fortunately, not everybody was intent on destroying property. The video after the jump is from a fan who filmed the reaction of the bar where he watched the game and then the celebration in the street -- and right around the 2:38 mark, he actually sneaks into the Garden, which is decidedly more mellow than the chaos outside. Yeah, it's grainy with bad audio, but judging by the number of drinks most of these folks probably had, this is probably an accurate depiction of what it felt like in real life, as well.

Celtics Win! Let's Break Things! originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 07:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ray Allen's Toddler Son Has Diabetes, Not His Teenage Daughter

Matt Watson — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 06:45:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Eastern, NBA Media Watch, Boston, Blogs

When Ray Allen skipped talking to the media and immediately bolted the Staples Center following Game 5, the Celtics explained it was because he had to deal with "a health issue with one of his children," declining to get into specifics out of respect for Allen's family.

Somehow, word eventually "leaked" via sports talk radio that Allen left because his daughter Tierra, a high school freshman, was hospitalized due to diabetes. The blog The Lakers Nation heard the report and posted the news, which in turn helped spread the word around the internet.

As it happens, the report was false -- as Allen clarified yesterday, it was his 17-month old son Walker who was hospitalized due to diabetes, though as you can see in the photo, he's since been released and was able to attend last night's game.

Doc Rivers was upset at the initial false report, though his anger seems to be misguided:

"The problem is, to me - and this is where I get into the blogger thing - people write anything on the Internet and it's read and then it becomes fact when it's not, unfortunately," said Rivers. "Nobody checks. There are no checks and balances and it hurts us all. That's the problem."

Rivers has railed against blogs in the past, but really, shouldn't his anger be directed at talk radio? There's a difference between aggregating information and simply making things up, and while the guys behind The Lakers Nation were mistaken (and have since apologized), so were hundreds of thousands of other listeners who heard the same report. And in hindsight, it's obvious the report wasn't all that off-base -- somewhere along the line, someone simply identified the wrong child. News travels fast in the internet age, and blogs aren't to blame.

Ray Allen's Toddler Son Has Diabetes, Not His Teenage Daughter originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 06:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One of These Days, Brian Scalabrine Will Be an NBA Finals MVP

Matt Watson — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 05:45:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, NBA Playoffs, NBA Videos, Boston

Brian Scalabrine is clearly someone who doesn't take himself too seriously. Wait, scratch that -- Brian Scalabrine is clearly an NBA champion who doesn't take himself too seriously. Say what you want, but he's still getting a ring. You think Kobe Bryant wouldn't give anything to be in his shoes right now? Of course he would.

After the jump, check out the rest of Scal's press conference, including his trash talk to the doubting media who predicted the Lakers would win the series.

One of These Days, Brian Scalabrine Will Be an NBA Finals MVP originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 05:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Perkins and Rondo Will Both Go Tonight, But Which Way?

Matt Moore — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:38:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Lakers, Eastern, Western, NBA Playoffs, Boston, Los Angeles

From the AP comes news that both Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo will go tonight in Game 6 of the NBA Finals in Boston. What does this mean?

Well, Perkins is nursing a shoulder injury, which is not a best-case injury scenario when you're talking about a guy that's on the floor to provide a physical presence. Perkins' absence was noticeable in Game 5 as the Laker repeatedly, and finally, built an advantage on the offensive glass with Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. Perkins is playing to try and erase that deficit, but with Gasol's height advantage over, well, everyone, having a bum shoulder could cause issues.

Conversely, Rondo's suffering with a bum ankle, and that's equally as unfortunate for his skill set. His big advantage over Derek Fisher is his speed and athleticism, and if that's limited, he's just an awkward young point guard who has trouble shooting.

However, the gamble is definitely worth it if the two are really healthy enough to play, obviously. The real question comes if they aren't. Doc Rivers is notorious for his rotation issues, and will often leave guys in too long before making the necessary adjustment. Will he be able to pull the plug tonight if he needs to? Will he have to?

Perkins and Rondo Will Both Go Tonight, But Which Way? originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:38:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lakers: No Fear

Elie Seckbach — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:25:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Lakers, NBA Playoffs, NBA Videos, Boston, Los Angeles, The Word, FanHouse TV

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded NBA Correspondent, brings his exclusive NBA reporting to FanHouse. Check back here regularly for more videos.

In this video we hear what NBA MVP Kobe Bryant thinks about pressure. Also find out what Jordan Farmar told his younger sister, Shawn Kolani about the NBA Finals. Around 1:20 into the video coach Mark Watts, the very first basketball coach of Farmar, shares with us stories about the Lakers' star.
AOL Video link. Youtube link.

Lakers: No Fear originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA Might Wanna Slap an Asterisk on That Game Six Promo

Will Brinson — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Lakers, NBA Media Watch, NBA Rumors, Boston, Los Angeles

Darren Rovell has a fine point today about the NBA's on court promos last night. Those being the promos that were letting everyone know Game Six of the Finals would be this Tuesday. No big deal, right? Because that's when they are scheduled. Unfortunately, had the Celtics won, Game Six wouldn't have been played. Oh yeah, and David Stern would have been in a nightmare.

So was the rotating sign by the floor at last night's Lakers-Celtics game out of line?

For those of you who missed it, it said "Game Six Tuesday."

I looked at it maybe 30 times each time it passed. And I never saw an asterisk, and I never saw any sort of small disclaimer - like an "If necessary" in very small font. Perhaps I missed it, but if I missed it others did.

And Rovell is right -- in a world where Tim Donaghy does not exist, no one thinks twice about this. But because the conspiracy talk in the NBA is rampant, this will be (and currently is!) being contorted into some sort of act by a David Stern dictated NBA that knew the Lakers were going to win last night.

Because, you know, it's not enough that Kobe had his back up against the wall. Obviously it is in the NBA's best interests for this series to go seven games, but there is still no conspiracy going on right now. However, an asterisk, even as tacky as it might look on a commercial, would probably behoove everyone.

NBA Might Wanna Slap an Asterisk on That Game Six Promo originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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