Harrison Apologizes To Goodell

"The interview that I did and the comments that I made about Roger Goodell were inappropriate, at the least," Harrison said. "They were way out of line, and I was speaking out of anger and frustration at the time. Any comments that I made that offended anyone, I apologize."

Harrison had every right to be upset with Goodell, and for the most part I don't actually mind most of what he says. I thought it was wrong he ripped his teammates, but with the stuff about Goodell I didn't really care. Still, this is smart, there is no reason to have your boss any more pissed at you then he already is. Plus, his comments were pretty over the top.

Does This Rondo Quote Bother You?

As has long been suspected, Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo admitted to Yahoo! Sports that the trade of his good friend Kendrick Perkins in late February had a bigger impact on the team's mental focus than it should have.

"It wasn't like the man passed away or something," Rondo told Yahoo! Sports reporter Marc J. Spears. "I think we put too much emphasis on it. It's a business. He got traded. He's very happy where he's at. We still talk, and I'm always going to have his back. It shouldn't have affected us the way it affected us (WEEI)."

I sometimes worry about what goes on in Rondo's head. Throughout the season it seemed like he played up to the competition, but would play down to it as well if there wasn't something to prove. Then there was this whole Perkins trade mess, and it really did seem to affect him. To a point I understand it, but with this team aging by the day and Rondo is becoming the leader of the team he needs to have a stronger head then this. From this quote I think he has learned that. Like he said "it's a business", and no matter what happens you have to come in and do your job.

Rondo proved a lot to me in terms of toughness when he came back from that horrible elbow injury. I think over the next year he needs to become more and more of a leader. The obvious thing is developing the last parts of his game that keep him from being the best PG in the game (free throws, outside jump shot). He doesn't have to be good in those two areas, but he needs to at least make it respectable. If he can't hit free throws then it stops him from going to the rim, and if he can't hit the outside jump shot no one feels the need to play up on him.

The bottom line is if this quote is true it kind of makes me disappointed in the entire team. They are a veteran team and they should've been able to move on from this and not let it affect them as much as Rondo said it did.

Ortiz Says He Wants 2 Year Deal

Well this really shouldn't shock anyone, but Ortiz came out and stated that he is looking for a 2 year deal from the Red Sox...

You know what? I’ve been in this organization for nine years. My numbers ain’t that bad, you know what I’m saying?” said Ortiz. “I don’t think I need to open any more eyes than I have already. If you haven’t seen me, you ain’t.”

“Oh yeah, I’ve got more in the tank, I’ve got more than that. I’m just going to turn 36,” Ortiz said. “What’s the worst thing that’s going to happen to me from now through the next two, three years?”

A year back I wasn't so sure what to do with Ortiz. I thought most likely the best option was to let him ride out his contract and then let him go, but he has been so good that I think he deserves a 2 year deal. He has changed his body shape, and looks a lot skinner. I think this has helped out a ton, and it can only help those terrible knees he has now that there is less weight on them. I am fine with Ortiz getting something like a 2 year $20 million dollar deal, and I hope he gets done ASAP.

Mickael Pietrus To Celtics?

Mickael Pietrus made some interesting comments that has been hoping he ends up on the Celtics (whenever there is a season)...

"A lot of teams are interested in me, like the Lakers and the Celtics," Pietrus tells L'Equipe via translation from HoopsHype. "This came from the best player in the world: Kobe Bryant. He told me two months ago that he would like to see me with the Lakers."

Obviously the Lakers would seem like the front runners for him, but I hope the Celtics take some interest in this guy. He is a great defensive player, and could be a nice asset as that "wing defender" (that should be on the list yesterday) that the Celtics have been looking for. Not sure why I am a big fan of Pietrus, but it started when the Celtics played the Magic in the playoffs a couple years ago. He just seems like a guy who would fit that "team defense" philosophy the Celtics are so great at. The question is how they would get this done. I would think it would be some kind of sign and trade with Big Baby might get it done.

Every Big Baby Comment Makes Me Like Him Less

So, a week or two ago we got comments from Big Baby that he was looking for a bigger role, and that most likely was going to lead him out of Boston. We all laughed considering that he was one of the main reasons the Celtics tanked out of the playoffs. Now he is coming back sounding a little different.

"Man, I do," Davis tells the Boston Herald. "Do you know how much I've grown and learned with those guys? I want to keep playing with Ray Allen and Paul Pierce until they leave."

Davis has also hired a sports psychologist to help him understand what went wrong this past season.

"I was in that zone, and then it started to go downwards," Davis said."I want to use that positive energy I have as a player. I want to be the Glen Davis I know I can be."

Dude, you started to suck because you gained 20 pounds to a frame that was already overweight. Doc got pissed, and then you just laid down in the playoffs. Your mentally soft, and you talk in the third person, I am so done with you. Bye Glen Davis go to the Raptors and lets never hear of you again.

Zambrano Shoots Off His Mouth Once Again

This is basically a yearly event, but once again Carlos Zambrano has one again shot of his mouth against a teammate...

"The problem wasn't Pujols," Zambrano said. "The problem was [Theriot's] at-bat. We should have known better than this. We are playing like a Triple-A team. This is embarrassing. Embarrassing for the team and the owners. Embarrassing for the fans. Embarrassing, that's the word for this team."

"We should know that Ryan Theriot is not a good fastball hitter," Zambrano yelled after turning in the direction of Marmol's then-vacated locker. "We should know that as a team. We should play better here. We stink. That's all I've got to say."

I am actually fine with 90% of what he said. The Cubs do suck, they are playing like a AAA team and he should be pissed (6 straight losses, 11 games out of of 1st place in the NL central). The one thing I have a problem with is calling out a teammate. If you got a problem with something he did you let him know, and you try to correct it. There is no need to go to the media. This shouldn't be shocking though, Zambrano is a fucking moron. Overall though they can't be too mad with the way Zambrano is playing, he is 5-2 on the season with a 3.98 and as long as he doesn't completely explode (which is asking a lot) he shouldn't be suspended.

Shaq WILL Comeback Next Year

Have we seen the last of Shaq? I seriously doubt it after listening Shaq today...

"A little bit of both. Business-wise, I felt that the Boston organization and the people of Boston treated me very, very well. I could have gotten a little minor surgery and then been out for nine months, but then we would have been in the same situation again, everybody sitting around waiting for me. So, I thought it was great business to let Danny [Ainge] go out and get some younger talent."

Added O'Neal: "I didn't want to let the people of Boston down two years in a row."

Asked if he's 100 percent certain that he will stay retired, Shaq coyly replied: "For now, yes (WEEI)."

If that wasn't enough here is what Ainge had to say...

Celtics general manager Danny Ainge isn't sure if Shaq's done playing in the NBA.

"Oh, I don't know," Ainge told the Boston Herald. "I don't know. I would not say that. I mean, hopefully Shaq can get his body healthy and then reconsider."

Ainge then added, "I can tell you that even if he's still out when we start next year, he's a guy I'll be making a phone call to at some time during the season. But I believe what he's saying now is real (ESPN)."

Is it just me or does this sound like a perfect situation for a comeback?

Sit back and think about it. The Celtics are a top seed next year in the East. It's KG's Allen's, and Jermaine's last year with the Celtics. The last run for the old guys. Just before the playoffs start. Suddenly like a hurricane Big Old Shaq comes through the door to give them the final piece. One last time for an era that is ending. Playoffs start... Old vs. Young. Sounds like a movie right? Shaq loves movies. What a better way for him to go out, and trust me that's just how Shaq thinks (plus it sounds like Ainge is on board).

I just think with all the "not wanting to let down Boston again", and how he "really enjoyed his time here", listening to all of that makes me think he is coming back. Sure, you can point out that I bought into Sheed coming back, but there is a difference here. The Celtics LIKE Shaq.

Howard Staying In Orlando?

"I want to start my own path and I want people to follow my path and not just follow somebody else's path. I want to have my own path, and I want to start that here in Orlando. But I can't do it alone. Not only do I need the right teammates, but I need the city behind me. That's the only way it's going to get done. We can change this small city that we have — this small market that we have and we can make it a big market."

"As of right now, I'm a part of the Orlando Magic and I plan to be here," Howard said (CBS Sports).

I am not buying it. The Magic are in a ton of cap trouble, and aren't even close to being a team challenging for an NBA title. My guess is that they have a terrible season next year (6 or 7 seed), and Howard finally has enough and moves on. There are just such better franchises out there that are going to have the cap room to make the changes Howard is looking for. Eventually he'll get sick of the "small market" and want to go somewhere that he can be even more well known (LA, Boston, New York, ect).

Tiki Barber = Anne Frank

"Former Giants running back Tiki Barber, who plans to make a comeback this fall, is taking some heat for a comment he made comparing himself to Holocaust victim Anne Frank.

Barber explained that he lived in the attic of his agent, Mark Lepselter, in an effort to hide from the media after leaving his pregnant wife to move in with girlfriend Traci Johnson last year. Because his agent is Jewish, Barber referred to the situation as “a reverse Anne Frank thing (WEEI).”

Well the media will jump all over this, but I don't think it's a big deal. Actually, I giggled at it. I mean he was in a situation in which he needed to hide, and it happened to be a Jewish person's house. Obviously she was in a much worse situation, but I found the comment funny and I think people need to fucking calm down.

With that being said, to make a joke to the media avoid the following topics...

Holocaust
Terrorism
9/11
Gays
Abortion
Slavery
Any that race is involved in
Woman's rights

Leave those to us.

Got To Love Charles Barkley

We already heard Barkley go off on the Heat and call them cry babies, now he is after their fans...

"NBA legend Charles Barkley continues to hog the spotlight with his inflammatory words and actions. The TNT analyst gave taunting Miami fans a double-middle-finger salute Sunday, and then he offered this comeback: "They were telling me I suck. They were telling me I never won a championship. Like, 'Come on, give me something better than that, dude.' I always laugh at that statement, 'You didn't get a ring.' I'm like, 'Dude, you work at McDonald's. My life's a lot better than yours. You relax (WEEI).' "

HAHA, a very arrogant thing to say, but it's also true. Say what you want, but everything he says is usually the truth. Maimi fans suck, they are a bunch of bandwagon fans that can't even show up to the game on time. I have said it before and I'll say it again, "Please God, don't let the Heat win it all". It really would be more depressing then watching the Celtics get knocked out. I can't sit there and watch LeBitch make a victory speech.

Interesting Interview With Doc Rivers

As DP wrote about earlier Doc has signed a 5 year deal with the Celtics, which was shocking. He was on WEEI today, and I found some of the things he was talking about very interesting.

On Big Baby's poor play..

"I thought it was more in between his ears than his play. I thought the whole contract thing affected his play. I thought he had the wrong focus at times because of that. I think when you stray away from just being a team player and being the role that you're given, I think you struggle. I think all players do. And I thought Baby did that.

"I thought scoring was way too important to him, instead of being who he is. Baby's never going to be a great scorer in our league, but he can score. What Baby has to be is an energy player, a guy who takes charges. Yeah, if we get him for the right price," he said. "I think it would be nice, but we can't overpay. That will be up to Danny and Wyc [Grousbeck] and them. That's one of the things I stay out of, at least I try to. We've got to get him back in the right frame of mind. And that's the way he was the last 20 games. Baby's a good basketball player. He can help us or any other team. But, to me, only if he plays the right way (WEEI)."

Listening to it Doc seemed pissed at Big Baby. He was very loyal to him, and gave him the minutes, but in the end Big Baby just never came around. We have written many times that their were reports that Big Baby got fat. Doc was asked about it, and he said that he didn't know, but that it seemed pretty obvious from just looking at him that he had put on weight. All of this to me means he is gone. If Big Baby didn't have the concentration to keep his weight in check during his contract year (probably the most important year of his career) then I don't think he is worth investing in. Plus, guys with his body type don't last long in the NBA.

On being part of the rebuilding process...

"I don't think anyone's looking forward to that, but I'm willing to do that," he said. "I had a group that has been very loyal to me. I think it would have been very easy for me to just run and go somewhere else and chase something else. It would have been easier to do it the other way; I just don't think it's the right thing to do. Coaches talk about loyalty and team all the time. I just thought it was time to show it. And that's what I did (WEEI)."

Very interesting. I was wondering why he came back, and maybe he felt that the "Big 3" gave him so much that he should be the one that rides this process out with them. I also think this "showing loyalty" plays into the long term. KG/Allen are in their last year, and if he remains loyal to them this could be a stepping stone to attracting more free agents. Doc is already one of the most beloved coaches in the NBA, and showing that you are loyal (even through the bad times) could go a long way to bringing in a big time free agent (Howard, Paul, ect). I think the Celtics have enough to make a decent run next year if they sign good guys next year, while also not crushing their future. They can sign a bunch of 1 year contracts, and then have the cap room and core (Rondo, Pierce, maybe Green).

Steve Smith Talks About Trade Demand

Receiver Steve Smith says he hasn't demanded a trade but has asked the Carolina Panthers to be "in a competitive situation." Smith contacted Pro Football Weekly on Tuesday so he could clear up reports that he wanted out of Carolina.

"These people that keep writing these articles, none of them have even spoken to me. What I want to do is be classy and not tip my cards, be respectful to the [Panthers] organization," he told the publication. It's not me saying, 'Yes, I want a trade.' It's still a family matter, and when my family feels it's the appropriate time, our actions will show how we feel (ESPN)."

Let me translate this for you. "I want out of Carolina, but I am trying to show that I am not as big of a douchebag that people think I am". That's really all this is. I don't think there is anyway Steve Smith plays for Carolina, and if you're Carolina you shouldn't want him back. He is a contantly pissed off WR that snaps a moments notice, and you have a rookie QB that really doesn't need his BS. Sure, it would be nice for Newton to have a guy like him to throw to, but it's really time for this team to move on and let Newton to be the leader of this team, since they used a #1 pick on him and I just don't see Steve Smith helping that cause.

Have You Seen Glen Davis?

Following the Celtics' Game 4 loss to the Heat, Davis sounded like a six-year-old whose balloon had got caught in the wind and was watching it fly far, far away.

"I've been nowhere to be found," he said. "Throughout this whole playoffs, I need to find myself."

"I have to find Glen and I don't know where Glen is at (Masslive.com)."

Ugh not only is he playing like shit, now he is talking in the third person. That's just annoying. There are a bunch of theories on Baby's struggles. Some people say that he lost his role once Perk was traded, and now he having to come in and play center and stuff. I don't buy that. He basically had a similar role last year and excelled.

Some people say he is just is too focused on his jump shot and not banging underneath. I buy that to a certain extent. Big Baby was at his best for the Celtics when he was an energy guy off the bench that really went hard after boards, and wasn't focused on being the 2nd unit KG. Still, I feel like at times he tries to, but just can't anymore, which leads me to the last theory.

This theory comes from Jackie MacMullan and Tommy Heinsohn who say Big Baby is 15-20 pound heavier then he was a the start of the season. This is shocking, because how the hell do you get fat during the season? But it makes sense. He doesn't seem to have any lift anymore. He seems a step slower, which is hurting him not only on the boards, and on offense, but on defense as well. If this is the case, shame on him. This was a big year for him, and for him to just get fat is just terrible. DP was saying it the other night. He cost himself a lot of money, and he might have played himself right into being a Celtics bench player the rest of his career.

Whatever it is the Celtics really can't have him playing as much as he is anymore. He hasn't been right in a while now, and he is not just a nonfactor, but a negative on the court. It'll be interesting to see what Doc does with him in Game 5, because from the sound of those quotes he doesn't sound like he is going to suddenly going to turn it around.

Oh So That's What Carl Everett's Up To (UPDATED)

"Former major league outfielder Carl Everett is in a Tampa jail on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and tampering with a witness. Jail records indicate the 39-year-old Everett was arrested Monday night at his suburban Tampa home. He was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail shortly after midnight and is being held without bond. Details of the arrest were not immediately available. Everett's attorney, Clinton Paris, did not immediately return a call for comment (ESPN)."

I was just thinking the other day, "I wonder what Carl Everett is up to these days", and this is probably the least shocking news. Carl Everett really should be in a insane asylum. Let's just quickly go over this guy's questionable moments...

- Headbutting an ump
- Shouting match with Seattle manager Mike Hargrove
- Saying he would retire if he found out a teammate of his was gay.
- Questioning the Apollo Moon Landing.

And my person favorite...

- Carl Everett's denial of the existence of dinosaurs. "God created the sun, the stars, the heavens and the earth, and then made Adam and Eve. The Bible never says anything about dinosaurs. You can't say there were dinosaurs when you never saw them. Somebody actually saw Adam and Eve. No one ever saw a Tyrannosaurus rex." He also derided fossils of dinosaur bones as man-made fakes (wiki)."

Yea, he's a pretty crazy guy, so to find out that he is out beating people up is really not all that shocking. At least we can say he was entertaining.


***UPDATE***

"The report states that the argument between the former big leaguer and Linda Everett escalated when he pointed a silver handgun at her head. When she attempted to call 911 on two different occasions, with two different phones, Everett broke both calling devices. The couple has been married for 18 years (WEEI)."

Sounds about right.

NBA Player: Garnett a 'Punk and Coward'

In the latest edition of ESPN the Magazine, an NBA player -- in the latest of a monthly series called "Player X", where an anonymous player talks about various issues in the league -- made his feelings known about Kevin Garnett.

"Garnett is a punk and a coward," writes the anonymous player. "I know, I know. Easy for me to say behind this column. Don't worry, I'll tell him to his face, too. And I'm not the only one who thinks that: If you're not on his team, chances are you hate the guy. You can learn a lot about him by watching his eyes. If he's talking to you -- and he's always talking -- he avoids eye contact. My advice to other guys in the league: Stare him down, and he'll retreat. From what I've seen, he'll never mix it up with a player who's bigger than he is. Personally, I think he's scared to fight -- like a playground bully who barks but doesn't bite (WEEI)."

Whoever this player is I can almost guarantee they don't have a ring. I'll take that "punk/coward" that makes key defensive stops to win games like we saw in Game 2 any day, and what the fuck kind of player makes comments like this without his name being released? To me that's a real "coward". I'll take the guy standing on the court that doesn't shy away from the type of player he is. Is Garnett dirty? yea probably. Does he pick on other players? Most definitely, but at the end of the day that's the kind of player I want out there, because I know when it's crunch time and we need a stop there aren't many other players (if any) I would rather have on the court.

So fuck you anonymous.

Patriots Already Talking About Trading Draft Picks

One of the most active teams in recent seasons when it comes to draft pick trades has been the New England Patriots. So Bill Belichick's revelation during an appearance on Sirius NFL Radio on Monday -- that teams have contacted the team about trading picks, per Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald -- is about as surprising as the ban on lawn darts.

"We've definitely been contacted by teams below us, offering [us] to move back, and [teams] seeing if we want to move up into a better position," Belichick disclosed. "Of course, that usually doesn't get finalized until draft day, but there definitely seems to be a lot of interest in our draft picks."

"As you know, we're not afraid to trade them," he confirmed. "We'll do what's best for the team. We'll evaluate those opportunities if they come up on draft day and take it from there (ESPN)."

You know what? I am really starting to get sick of this. The Patriots always trade down for more picks, and although it has given them great depth, it's something I have grown very tired of. Imagine if they didn't trade their pick a couple years back and drafted Clay Mathhews? Hmmm, a pass rushing OLB with a great motor, yea that doesn't sound like exactly what the Patriots have been looking for over the past 4 years.

My point is I'm sick of having just depth, the Patriots need talent, especially on defense. This is a deep draft in terms of defensive players, and I want to see the Patriots bring in some top talent. They have enough picks, and they are young enough where they don't need a ton of picks in years to come. If they make any deal I hope it's to move up, because I will be upset if we once again stockpile future picks or later round picks.

Shaq/Jermaine Back By April 1st? (UPDATED)

Here is the latest injury updates for Shaq, and Jermaine....

Shaquille O'Neal has not played since Feb. 1 due to a sore right Achilles tendon. His rehab is going well and the Celtics are targeting a return around April 1 to the active roster.Peter May for ESPNBoston.com writes: "A team source on Wednesday said that O'Neal is mending and on schedule for a return by April 1. That would give him two weeks to get reacquainted with the teammates he left -- and acquainted with the five new teammates with whom he has yet to play."

Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge confirmed that O'Neal is making progress with his knee and he's on schedule to return soon. "It could be next week, which is about what we hoped for -- the end of the month," Ainge told the Boston Herald. "He looks good. I watched him go through his workouts (ESPN)."

Reports say that Jeramine has lost about 12 pounds during his rehab and has not had any swelling in the knee, which is a great sign. We have also been hearing all along that Shaq looks a lot slimmer. Shaq is obviously the more important piece to all this. The Celtics need his big body in the middle, and I believe his strong offensive play for about 15 mins a game could really help out this stagnant offense. When both these guys come back it looks like Jeramine will be the 3rd center behind Shaq and Krstic, which is where I would want him anyways.

Hey, at least he can't be any worse then Troy Murphy.


***UPDATE***

"Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com reports O'Neal had a cortisone shot in his right foot on Tuesday. Even though O'Neal was wearing a protective walking boot on Wednesday, the Celtics still expect him to return to the starting lineup next week (ESPN)."

I don't like the sound of that at all.

Grizzlies Can't Be Happy With Tony Allen

Things seem to be going well for Tony Allen in Memphis. He has the starting job now that Rudy Gay is out, and has been playing pretty well. Yet, I guess he still isn't all that happy...

“I’m a Celtic, but unfortunately, I wear a Grizzlies jersey right now,” said Allen, who was the only member of the Memphis starting five to receive a positive response from the Garden crowd during Wednesday night’s game. “It was a nice reaction. I liked it (WEEI).”

If I was a Memphis fan I would throw a fit over this. Where the fuck does he get off saying something like that after the Grizzlies gave him the contract he wanted and the playing time to go along with it? This is a guy who has already got in a fight with OJ Mayo. Now he is saying that even though he wears a Memphis jersey, he is still really a Celtic. That's called treason Mr. Allen.

As a Celtics fan, I have had a weird relationship with Tony. I hated him for a long time, then ended up really liking him for his tough play last season. These comments really mean nothing to me, but if Memphis is interested the Celtics should have an empty roster spot next season after I murder Troy Murphy.

Where The Hell Is Ricky Rubio?

"I do have interest in the NBA, but not as in right away," he's quoted as saying. "I signed a six-year contract with a buyout option after the second season. If I leave this year I would have to pay an amount of money and that's it. It's a unilateral decision that I have to make, although if I had to leave at any time, I would talk to the club and the NBA franchise, which is currently Minnesota."

The article also notes that Rubio has indicated the lockout will be "an important issue" when making a decision on whether or not to come over for next season (ESPN)."

People (myself included) kind of forget that the Timberwolves drafted Ricky Rubio. The Wolves still say they expect him to be in their uniform at the start of next season, but with all this uncertainty with a lockout that might not be the case. Judging my his comments there it doesn't sound like he is in a huge rush.

One guy who is trying to get him over is Kevin Love...

"I still text him every now and then," Love said. "Not too often, once or twice a month. I've always said I hope he comes over sooner rather than later so we can get this thing started (ESPN)."

Damn right he wants to "get it started", because whenever his contract is up you better believe he is going to run for the hills. So, if Rubio wants to play with a player like Kevin Love he better hurry up.

Delonte West Back Wednesday

Delonte West told ESPNBoston.com on Sunday that his sprained right ankle is still sore, but he plans to play Wednesday against Indiana.

"There's still a little bit of soreness in [the ankle]," said West. "[I still] don't have my explosiveness. I've been able to push off of it; I can gingerly go through drills, but it's not putting that game pressure on it. A few more days should be sufficient (ESPN)."

If he isn't 100% then why the hell is he going to play. I just don't see Doc letting him go out there without his "explosiveness". It just seems like is stupid with the way the Celtics have approached injuries all season.

"There's still a lot of season left," said Rivers. "If Delonte didn't play a game this year, then played well in the playoffs, you would say he had a successful season. At the end of the day, be available at the end (ESPN)."

Exactly Doc. So, either West is making a bigger deal then he needs to about this "pain", or Doc will end up sitting him. The Celtics are getting healthier (knock on wood) by the day, and once they get everyone back they are going to be unstoppable.