What a Night for Jumpball

After the week from hell (2/18 - 2/22) littered with losses from URI, Duke and the C's, we were due for some better fortune. Last night, it arrived. Duke absolutely throttled a bad Virginia team, which was expected but impressive nonetheless. Despite winning their previous 3 games, they had to come from behind a couple of times and looked terrible shooting the ball. Last night, every body got hot at the same time. They were lights out from behind the arc and the team turned in their best rebounding effort of the year. They had boatloads of 2nd chance points, something you don't often see from a team with no size. It was a very satisfying win, much more so than Coach K's 800th vs. NC State last Saturday.

As a result of the Duke game, I did not watch much of the Celtics/Pistons. However, I did catch the 4th Quarter in its entirety and I was thoroughly impressed with the way the C's stretched their lead over the final few minutes and ended the game. Compare that to the way they finished their first matchup with the Pistons (losing by 2 at home after having the lead for most of the 4th quarter) and you can see the growth this team has experienced. It's only March but they are poised to make a very deep run come playoff time.

Kevin McHale Can Breathe Easy

It looks like ex-Celtic GM Chris Wallace struck again, trading away all-star Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown, rookie Javaris Crittendon, Gasol's bro Mark Gasol and first round picks in 2008 and 2010. You have to agree that the Lakers hit a home run with this trade. I am not fond of the Lakers and especially Kobe Bryant. However the lakers now have two good centers once Bynam comes back and Gasol is a great passer which you need to be when you play on the same team as the rapist. Also, Gasol has three moreyears left on his contract. As a Celtic fan I definitly do not want to see the Lakers in order to get 17. - DP

Finally

It only took 17 games for the greatest college 3-point shooter of all time to score in the 2007/2008 season. I guess that's kind of unfair. He's only played in 6 games this year for a total of 37 minutes, 17 of which came last night. Hopefully, his most recent performance will earn him a little more playing time. 4/5 overall and 2/2 from 3-point land is one way to impress your critics. Personally, I couldn't be happier for the guy. I might not be dead yet in my wager that he'd be starting All Star games by his 5th season in the league.