I didn't have the time or energy to blog the Big East Tournament or the NCAA tournament this spring, given the circumstances with the move to NH (see below). I went to the former, and watched the latter. I did pick Kansas, so a pat to my back for that. Suffice it to say that in both tournaments I was more than a little disappointed in the performance of my beloved UConn Husky men. They got bounced by a darn good West Virginia in the Big East, and in the next game fell tragically to San Diego in the first round of the NCAA.
Which makes it even more puzzling that Luke Winn of Sports Illustrated now has them picked number one in the nation for next year. Sure, on paper they look awesome. But games are played on hardwood, and the return of 7'3" center Hasheem Thabeet, the signing of sharpshooting wing Scottie Haralson, the signing of sudden five-star forward recruit Ater Majok, the signing of McDonald's All-American point guard Kemba Walker (who will be a star) and the transfers of a couple of undisciplined and marginally productive players notwithstanding, I'll be a bit skeptical until I see the product on the floor match the product on paper. Are you listening, Stanley Robinson?
Meanwhile, the baseball season is in full-swing and the Red Sox are looking strong, but it's early. I like the starting pitching, with young arms Jon Lester and Clay Bucholz (and Justin Masterson, for that Matter) joining Josh Beckett, Tim Wakefield and Daisuke Matsuzaka in a strong rotation. The bullpen, with the exception of Jonathan Papelbon, needs help, and David "Big Papi" Ortiz hasn't gotten untracked yet. The Yankees are the Yankees. Toronto is Toronto, with Roy Halliday. Baltimore and Tampa are better. This'll be a fun year to watch.
As for the Celts, it's been interesting to watch the defensive breakdowns in Atlanta that don't happen in Boston. Offense is pretty, but defense wins. Atlanta is filled with young talented players, but had the Celtics played 48 minutes of their style of defense for any one of the games in Atlanta they'd be looking at round two now. Bet Danny Ainge is wondering whatever happened to the Joe Johnson the Green drafted several years ago. He's torching your wing players, Danny, that's what. Game 7 is tomorrow, and I'm picking the Celtics, but they'd better be smarter with the ball on offense, take good shots and draw fouls, make the layups they get, rotate back on defense, and keep Josh Smith and Al Horford and Josh Childress off of the offensive glass.
I'll take Boston in a game 7 in Boston that should never have been.
