Dangerous

"It's easy to love me now..."

Nate Dogg - 21 Questions

The Celtics have put themselves in a position to raise championship banner number 18...and while it didn't seem like it was going to happen during the season...they have quietly made a run unlike no other.

Not now, but right now

Before the 2009-10 NBA campaign, I wrote a piece on how the Lakers and Celtics would meet again for the title. My assumption could prove accurate in the next week, as the C's look to wrap up the series tonight in Orlando. On Monday I met with Hall of Fame Coach John Chaney, and as our conversation shifted to the league...he expressed that Rajon Rondo is a scoring first, pass second point guard, and because of that fact the Celtics will not win it all with him at the helm.

I'm not sure what to think...I feel that Rondo is doing a terrific job. Coach Chaney wants him to pass to Ray Allen more, and drive to the basket less. (Coach says Ray has the best jump shot in the league, while Kobe Bryant is the best overall player) The Orlando Magic have struggled more within themselves, than from any defensive pressure, and as they play Game 5, 8:30PM EST...they are playing for tomorrow, while the C's once again find themselves with nothing to lose.

If they win, mission accomplished...if they fail, then they still have two more opportunities to win one game...which makes the Boston Celtics a very dangerous team.

Photo: Elsa/Getty Images

KING

Family

2003 to infinity

Nike MVP VI

"KG of the game, LeBron James...you boys must don't know my name..."

Slim Thug - I Ain't Heard of That

Tonight LeBron R. James was awarded the league MVP, affectionately known as the Maurice Podoloff trophy...in front of his family, friends, and a capacity Cleveland crowd.

By Any Means Necessary

I first met the boy who would be King in December of 2002, and within that timeframe he has grown both on and off the court. What amazes me most is his persona, life away from basketball, and business acumen. LeBron is very intelligent in who he is, and what his brand means, so he is very calculated in what he does and says...like Kobe, and Jordan before him...he is ready to lead the association into the next decade of basketball greatness.

I interviewed him several times this season, and all I can say is that it has been a nice trip...from the infamous "crab dribble" game in DC, to the near triple-double in Madison Square Garden...James never ceases to entertain.

Below is the score on a conversation we held recently, which will give you a glimpse into how the MVP thinks:

Talk about the ’03 Draft Class: “Oh we’re known. That’s something that we talk about all the time. That’s something me, D Wade, Melo, Chris Bosh, I mean all of us, Kirk Hinrich, the list goes on…Mo Williams, Sasha [Pavlovic], the class of ’03 is really big in this league, and still getting better. It’s something that we really take pride in, having our draft class…we try to hold ourselves up to the draft class that Z [Ilgauskas] was in with AI, and Ray [Allen] and all those guys, you know Steph [Marbury], and all those guys which was arguably one of the best drafts too, so we try to hold our standards to those guys.”

What has this season been like, as a team? “I know our potential…I can see our potential getting better everyday…things we do on and off the court, it reminds me of the days when I was back in high school. Every time we went out on the court…we knew we were going to win. It was never a doubt. We’ve had guys nicked up, and out for long periods of time, I’m not talking about 1-week or 2-games…we’ve had key guys that have been out 4-6 weeks, you know 2-3 months and guys have been able to step in, and still have been able to hold serve, so this could probably be the hungriest I’ve been because I can see the potential of our team.”

What drives you? “I think what drives me is wanting to be the best player every night I go on the basketball court, and for me to continue to get better as an individual. I think I have a long way…of course I haven’t hit the peak of my career yet but every night I go out I want to be the best player on the court, so that’s the kind of drive.”

Talk about your friendship with Kobe and Dwyane Wade: “I think it’s great, I think it’s great…I think it’s great for the league that arguably the three best players in the league, are in an MVP race, and it hasn’t been like this in a long time. I mean, take nothing away from Steve Nash…great player, but when he was winning, Kobe, and myself, and D Wade were still the best players in the league, you know so…you have three guys that everyone says are the best players in the league…are in the MVP race…I think it’s great man. It’s tribute to the summer that we had…we all made each other work hard everyday. The games came easy to us but the things that we’ve been able to do with our teams are great, we love it, we take the challenge every night.”

Photos: Associated Press and Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

The OC - Original Celtic

Success

Class

Style

"I know it's late and I took all year, but you can stop complaining, 'cause I'm finally here..."

Kanye West - We Can Make It Better

I was born a Philadelphia 76ers fan, and throughout their history, they have had a few rivalries, but none of them rank higher than the Boston Celtics.

Dynasty

I was never supposed to like the Celtics, as they were once the most hated franchise in the NBA, because of their many championships, and hall of fame players...so as a child in the late 80's and early 90's I rooted for Dr. J, and Charles Barkley. However I did respect the C's because if not for anything else, they were winners, and in any game...that's all that matters.

Prior to June 2008, Boston's last successful title run was in 1986, and since then I've grown to cheer for both the Sixers and Lakers, as if that's possible, and a few players here and there. From Reggie Miller, Patrick Ewing, Allan Houston, and Eddie Jones, to Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Stephon Marbury, I was a big fan of their game. Things change and while half of that list are no longer playing, the other 3 are members of the Boston Celtics.

So hopefully by now you can see the problem. I liked KG and Steph with the Timberwolves, and Ray Allen has been a favorite since the movie He Got Game, but as they continue their career in Beantown, I had to turn my back on them. It's not that I don't like them as people, I just don't like the Celtics. The only person I have respect for on that team is Paul Pierce. He was drafted by that squad, and it is his team. One of the things that bothers me about the C's and their "BIG 3" is when one of them talks about the fact that there are 3 future hall of fame players in the locker room, it bothers me.

Did I miss something? Or is the Hall a lock for all of them? I can see KG and I feel strongly about him making it, but hmmm...let's consider Pierce, and Allen...I'm just not sure they are going to get in.

Nevertheless, I still dislike the Celtics, and I see a new Eastern Conference rivalry on the horizon, as I am looking forward to watching them and the Cavilers in the playoffs. Tomorrow we will get a preview as LeBron and The OC (I made that nickname, so if you see it anywhere else, it started here), match up in a game that can decide first place in the east, come April.

The only thing I can comprehend about the C's is that they actively sought out players that could bring the Larry O'Brien trophy back to New England, and in that capacity, they are kind of like the New York Yankees, which isn't such a bad team to be compared to.

Photos: Boston Herald

The Future

The Present

Determination

Prodigy

"What would you do, to get to me...what would you say, to have your way...would you give up...or try again..."

Aaliyah - Try Again

The NBA announced the reserves for the All-Star game yesterday during the game on TNT, and while I was surprised at some of the selections, I also know that there is nothing I can do about it, except write a story.

Winner's Circle

The pictures above tell two different stories...the first is the obvious with Kobe Bryant and LeBron James as they have become mainstays in the annual game, while the other pictures depict two players that I feel should have made their respective teams, but the day is approaching when Andre Iguodala and Al Thornton will play in several of these mid seasonal matches.

Call me biased, but both of these players should no longer be labeled as up and coming, or players on the rise, as they have both become complete players within the NBA. Offensively, and defensively you have to account for them, as they are game changers, while playing and maintaining a high level on defense. Only the good players can do that, so don't be surprised when this comes to fruition.

Their numbers are very solid, with Thornton averaging 17.2 points per game, 5.30 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, while Iguodala brings 17.7 points, 6.20 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per night. Granted, these are my thoughts, but I know a little something about basketball...and I'm very proud of Jameer Nelson, because he has proven his worth to the Orlando Magic, and he's from Chester, Pennsylvania...I can't stand the university he attended, but that's only because I went to Temple...and that's another story.

Is there anyone that you feel should have made the reserve team? Ray Allen, or Carmelo Anthony possibly...I'd like to hear your opinion. In the meantime, the list of reserves are as follows:

NBA All-Star Eastern Conference Reserves:

G - Devin Harris - New Jersey Nets

G - Joe Johnson - Atlanta Hawks

G - Jameer Nelson - Orlando Magic

F - Danny Granger - Indiana Pacers

F - Rashard Lewis - Orlando Magic

F - Paul Pierce - Boston Celtics

C - Chris Bosh - Toronto Raptors

NBA All-Star Western Conference Reserves:

G - Chauncey Billups - Denver Nuggets

G - Tony Parker - San Antonio Spurs

G - Brandon Roy - Portland Trail Blazers

F - Pau Gasol - Los Angeles Lakers

F - Dirk Nowitzki - Dallas Mavericks

F - David West - New Orleans Hornets

C - Shaquille O’Neal - Phoenix Suns

Photos:  Webster Riddick - Iguodala and Thornton

Getty Images - Bryant and James

The Dark Knight

All Star Saturday Night 1997

"Show me a hero, and I will write you a tragedy." - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Kobe Bean Bryant is the story of how a child from West Philadelphia, grew into a man of worldwide acclaim. It has been 12 years since the fabled NBA Draft of 1996. Within that class are the likes of Allen Iverson, Marcus Camby, Ray Allen, Steve Nash, and Jermaine O'Neal, however none of them are as intriguing as the enigma that is Bryant.

Over the years, the experts spewed venom saying that he was everything from an elitist without street creditably to a bad teammate. The only thing he ever was as a 17-year old high school student, straight to the professional ranks of the NBA, is misunderstood. In his naivete he didn't even read all of the crazy things the Los Angeles and national media wrote about him. His main focus was making the transition from competing against boys, to men.


Basketball is, was, and always will be something that drives him.


The goal is just as it was during his youth in Italy to become the BEST basketball player he could be. If it were not for the guidance and support of his family, this story had the potential to go awry way before 2003.


We all make mistakes, especially as a teen or young adult, however not many of us, have had to grow up and make choices in a fish bowl for all the world to see.


I write this as a friend of the Bryant and Cox families, so my words are tainted with loyalty. Nevertheless, if you had a sneaker contract worth six-figures when you were 17, or if you wanted to make a decision that went against what your parents wanted, just remember that you didn't have to do it with complete strangers and the media looming. For some reason or another Kobe has been painted as everything that is wrong with professional sports.


Allow me if you will to venture back to the early 1980's. Joe "Jellybean" Bryant was playing for the San Diego Clippers, and made his native Philadelphia the off-season home. The family lived in the Overbrook section, directly around the corner from the legendary Wilt Chamberlain. By this time Kobe had started to emulate his father, playing basketball in the living room while watching Jellybean on TV.


These were the building blocks of the MVP you see today.

They who endure, conquer.