Column 2 5/13

Tossing batting practice while looking on the bright side, at least the Celtics scored in Overtime last night.

If Danny Ainge does one thing during his first year on the job, he should sit down with the team and explain to them what it means to be a Celtic. Last night in the second overtime Paul Pierce missed a shot, and while the Nets raced out on a fast break, he was in the backcourt barking at the officials. The Nets had numbers, and Pierce was walking back on defense. The man is a great player, but his defensive deficiencies are noticeable. During the regular season and even at times during the playoffs it’s acceptable, because of the scoring load he has to carry, and the amount of minutes he plays each season. But with two minutes to go in overtime, while facing elimination, you must forget about the officials and get back and play defense. Antoine Walker may be a great leader on this team, but his incessant barking at the officials (which he did cut down on during the playoffs) is contagious and spreads to the rest of the team


Only 86 days until the Patriots first preseason game against the Giants.

I am relieved that the integrity of the Kentucky Derby was upheld yesterday. If horses are cheating then what does that say about the rest of our society. Let me get this straight though, it is cruel to shock a horse with electrical stimulation, however, it is perfectly acceptable to beat the horse with a whip through the duration of the race?

The Celtics playoff phrase this year of “Green 17” can now stand for the number of years since the last time they won a championship.

The Red Sox are third in the Majors in stolen bases, and near the top in sacrifice hits. Did hell freeze over?

Roman Cechmanek, the recently deposed goalie of the Flyers, wouldn’t he look good in Black and Gold?

Congratulations to Theo Epstein. Now that the Celtics have been eliminated you and your team will receive the focus (or more accurately the wrath) of Boston sports fans for the next few months.

Exhibit A of why not to trade Antoine Walker was on display during the second overtime. The offense was stagnant with five guys just standing around. If Eric Williams is your second scoring option at any point during a game you should not be a Conference finalist. Walker had a terrible series but that is in no way an indication of him as a player. His maturation during the Indiana series indicates that he is a player who can do many things for the team. This is not to say that if you can get a good deal I wouldn’t trade him but, it is unlikely that the Celtics can get equal value for him that would improve the team.

The NBA Finals resume tonight in San Antonio with game five.

The Sox open a three game series with the Rangers tonight in Fenway. Both teams rank in the top five in batting average and the Rangers lead the majors in homers. This series could have a slow-pitch softball feel to it.

If the Red Sox have a bullpen by committee, what is the first base equivalent? With that being said isn’t the bullpen always a committee?