Gino's Jungle

I'm not big on predictions ... I'm too obsessive and too fatalistic to go in those directions. I think anyone who makes a prediction is just setting themselves up for a slap in the face, and a bitter taste of reality. I've learned the hard way, at least in my own life, not to tempt the fates, because nine times out of ten, fate will call you on it, and the wake-up call is usually a cold one. It's even worse when you're making predictions that involve people other than yourself, cuz then any failure feels like a curse ... and you're the curse. OK ... I've set myself up ... it's out of the way now.

So here I go, (and please, no references to my usually overly-optimistic attitude ... those that know me know it well, those that don't won't care), I'm going to break my own rule ... and I'm going to put my neck out there where it will be quite easy to lop off should I err, (or just for the fun of it, for some). I know we're not even half-way through the off-season ... there are still roster spots to assign, holes to fill, chemistries to gel, and I'm quite sure that Danny has some surprises left up his sleeve. But despite all that, I make this prediction with as much certainty as I've ever had about this team: The Boston Celtics will be World Champions at the end of the 2010-2011 Season ... period.

There, I've said it ... let the jokers laugh, let the doubters question, let the scoffers scoff, let the haters spew their venom. It's an easy target to knock down, and there are a million reasons that it might not happen, and a million things that can get in the way ... the odds are stacked high against us, and the events are innumerable that have to go just right in order for us to even be in the position to have a chance. Our older players have to be in peak shape, our health has to be it's best come playoff time, our chemistry with new players has to solidify to a cohesive unit, Ubuntu and unselfish play have to be revived as the heart of Celtic Pride, and the intense, stifling type of defense that defined the acquisition of the 17th Banner, must be at the core of our game.

We have to be even more dynamic and energized than we were in '07-'08, because we're not getting any younger, and there's a level where injuries reach a point of diminishing returns. We have to put aside all the negative chatter, all the "has-been" comments and trash-talk that will undoubtedly rain down from every point of the compass ... let the new "Super-Team" hog the limelight and garner the praises of the press, while we relish our role as the underdog and the spoiler, and work our deed of quiet desperation. We have to remember the sweetness of that 17th Banner, but also remember the bitterness of having that 18th Banner only five points away, and snatched from our grasp, (by questionable means). We have to trust in ourselves most of all, and know with every fiber of our beings, that we have what it takes to get it done ... that we did it once, and can do it again.

Anyone who has ever watched these guys closely - the incredible intensity and overwhelming defensive strength of KG, the quiet perfection and clinical prowess of Ray Allen, the do-it-all abilities and never-say-die spirit of The Truth, the amazing ball-handling and physical resiliency of Rajon Rondo, the "In-Yo'-Face" dominance and on-the-edge tenacity in the paint by Perk, the 110% effort and over-the-top energy of Big Baby, the genius of Doc's coaching and his unparalleled ability to walk that fine line between mentor and friend - anyone who has watched them, knows that they are each capable of doing things beyond the reach of the merely "talented". When each of those incredibly gifted elements are in-sync and functioning as one unit, and those combined energies and abilities are flowing with the ease of a mountain stream, that's when you know without question, that this is how basketball was meant to be played ... and that there is no team on the face of this planet that can beat them.

It was there the first time they played together in Italy, it was there when they started the 2007-2008 season at 20 and 2, it was there in Game 6 of the Finals against the Lakers that same season, and it's been there many times in the last two years as well ... beating Orlando and Cleveland in playoff series when everyone had written them off, and stunning the Lakers by their performance in the Finals. Maybe I am a bit too optimistic for my own good, but this feeling I get about these guys and their ability to do what it takes to win another championship, has nothing to do with optimism, or denial, or an unwillingness to accept "reality" ... it has everything to do with knowing this team ... knowing the abilities they harbor, knowing the attitudes they cultivate, knowing that Celtic Pride is more than just a phrase to them, and knowing that they each possess the heart of a warrior, and together possess the heart of the ultimate champion.

I sense a renaissance is about to happen in this franchise, and it will be a renaissance in the heart and soul of each of the Celtic players ... for those who have been there, it will be a renewal of that feeling that they could conquer any foe they sought to, if they just wanted it badly enough, and a hunger for the sweetness of victory, and the thirst that can only be quenched by the sight of a banner raised to the rafters. For those who haven't been there, it will be a renewal of that childhood longing for greatness ... the fulfillment of the dreams of youth, that taught there are no goals too lofty, no mountains too high ... and a renewed belief that there are still things in this world worth more than what we can attain as individuals: those things that we can help to attain as a team.

A renaissance is happening this year ... I can feel it coming. These guys didn't stay together just to save on moving costs, they stayed together because they know, (like I do), that they can still get it done ... and they still have something to prove. One championship was great, but they know to be truly exceptional in the sight of history, they need more than one. They know it will most likely be a tougher task than the first one was, and the doubters more numerous, but they also know that deep-down, they have everything required to repeat, and a couple things more that no other team will ever have: Red Auerbach watching over, Ubuntu as a creed, Celtic Pride as motivation, and undying love and support from us ... the greatest fans in the world! Yes, "The Renaissance" is happening, and we have a ring-side seat ... I have a feeling green will be the "in" color this year!

I can't wait to get this thing started ... go Celtics!

 vs.

This article was originally posted on Celtics 24/7

Life was so simple two weeks ago. Bosh was still in Toronto. LeBron was still in Cleveland. And the sporting world actually paid proper respect to the original big three in Boston. All that is gone now and we can only hearken back to a gentler time, where a team’s worth was court-tested and proven, and where reverence outlasted idol worship.

Nostalgia aside, we’re in the here and now and one must assess the situation as it stands. So, it’s time to inject truth into the magical mystery world of James worshippers and far-too-early Heat wagon riders.

Miami, heavy a two-time MVP and PF All-Star or not, have a lot of work to do to prove their worth. Boston, on the other hand, with most of its core squad still in place, missed hoisting up a second championship trophy in three years by one blatant travel call missed, one ubercharge from Kobe left uncalled and about, oh, 15,591 pointless forth-quarter LA free throws.

Needless to say, the Boston Celtics are a championship caliber team. And with the addition of O’Neal, the C’s pick up yet another solid post player who can help out during the playoffs.

The Miami Heat, on the flip side of life, are taking a huge gamble by trying to piece together an Olympic-like squad of ball-hog specialists in order to walk their way to glory instead of fighting for it.

LeBron’s jump leaves the Cavaliers out of contention. Bosh’s leap means Toronto won’t be competing. Two good Eastern Conference teams were sacrificed for one.

The difference in Boston’s big three is simple. Ray, KG and Pierce were playing on habitually terrible ball clubs, years removed from the limelight, and at a point in their careers where unselfishness and actual team basketball was the only option.

The marriage was—and still is—a beautiful thing to watch. The three players were drastically different in terms of skill set, and all three, along with an upstart Rondo and still learning Perkins, sacrificed for the greater good.

Remember that, Miami, the first time LeBron turns to Terrell Owens when D-Wade takes the last shot, or when Bosh kicks the chair out after James puts up 40 on 30 shots in a losing effort.

The fact of the matter is that the NBA isn’t the Olympic Games. You can’t superstar your way to greatness; you have to play your way there.

So for everyone already penciling in Miami, don’t be surprised when a high seeded Celtics team knocks them out in 6 games.

In Danny we trust, in Danny we trust, in Danny we trust. Those are the words ringing through my head right now as I write up this post. I'm trying to convince myself that Danny will do what's right and figure out some way to sign some of these free agents that are still out there. I'm not talking about the Kwame Brown's or Adam Morrison's of the world. I'm talking about the Matt Barnes', Josh Howard's, and J.J Reddick's.

Although I understand the Celtics salary cap situation I am still shocked to see that the only addition to the roster as of today is Jermaine O'Neal. What makes it tough for Ainge right now is the fact that almost anyone he is going to sign will need to accept that veterans minimum of around $1.8 million per year. There are not many quality players that are going to do that, BUT there are ways to get some of these more premier bench players.

First things first, Rasheed Wallace needs to make up his damn mind. I thought I was done harping on him after the season was over but I'm not. If Rasheed makes up his mind sooner rather than later that will be one more roster spot that we can put a check next to. I'm not against Sheed coming back, but if he doesn't he needs to make that clear and he needs to make it clear quick because the number of quality players that are available is decreasing by the minute.

Second of all, I'd like to see some creativity from Danny. I'm not 100% what he can and can not do but I'm pretty sure there's a way he can load up on some of these players whether it be through sign and trades or resigning some of last year's players with their "bird rights". What I am 100% sure of is that Danny needs to make some moves and make them quickly. And by the way, I'm not the only one that's kinda disappointed. Just ask Paul Pierce.

Via A.Sherrod Blakely:

"I wish we'd get on the ball a little bit, but I trust in Danny (Ainge). Right now, it's slim pickings out there."

Those words are coming from the captain of the Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce. Pierce held a conference call today to discuss resigning with the team. In the process he made it clear that he wants Danny to get on the ball in the free agency market. I can't say I disagree.

 

Earlier this morning I was doing my daily rounds on the list of NBA related sites that I check daily and I came upon this piece written by Jay King over at Celtics Town. In the piece Jay questions Ted Green, a guest writer for the L.A Times, for going way overboard in his "Guide to Hating the Celtics".

Via Celtics Town:

My website isn’t a famous newspaper like the L.A. Times, but even I wouldn’t stoop to attacking somebody’s near-death experience. I wouldn’t even write, “Kobe’s idea of a fun night is going to Denver and having sexual intercourse with a woman who isn’t his wife. Good times!” and I would never think to write “Derek Fisher’s idea of a fun night is going to the hospital in the middle of a playoff game because his child is very sick. Good times!” or “Magic Johnson’s idea of a fun night is getting diagnosed with the H.I.V. virus. Good times!”

Instead of keeping it clean, appropriate, and mature Ted Green shifted it into overdrive to make sure that the piece was completely demoralizing to the Boston Celtics. In his "Guide to Hating the Celtics" Teddy (that's right he doesn't deserve to be called his real name) mentions the usual Paul Pierce flopping stuff, the wheelchair incident in 2008, etc.

Unfortunately for Green he did not stop there. He went on to make a complete asshole out of himself by writing the following:

“By the way, Pierce’s idea of a fun night is going clubbing and getting stabbed. Good times!”

Real cool, right? NOT. What goes on when Pierce is on the court is something you can write about; Being involved in a stabbing that almost ended a great athletes career and life is not something you can write about. Why the L.A Times editors let this by them without deleting that part of the article is beyond me. Just like Jay King mentioned in his article, I'm an amateur blogger and I wouldn't stoop that low. This guy is suppose to be a professional, so much for that.

Later on in the day more people started catching onto the article and the excerpt from Green's article could be found pretty much anywhere. Emails were sent to the L.A Times and eventually the L.A Times deleted the part about the stabbing. Again, I don't understand why they thought it was acceptable in the first place but that's another subject.

So to recap the situation real quick: We have this guy by the name of Ted Green. Ted Green's name was never heard in the journalism world before today. Today he does a guest post for the L.A Times giving reasons to hate the Celtics. One of those reasons is because Paul Pierce was involved in a almost life-ending stabbing. Now as the day winds down his name is everywhere and he has made an informal apology on The Planet Mikey Show on WEEI in Boston.

I guess if you want to gain a few hours of fame this is the way to do it. All I have to say to Ted Green is that you better enjoy your twenty-four hours of fame. I hope the L.A Times realizes that you're garbage and they never allow you to express your thoughts on such a credible source again.

Editors Note: In the original post Ted Green also had Kevin Garnett's current jersey number as #21. Way to express your knowledge Teddy. If you read further in the article he also goes on to refer to Ray Allen's Mom in a negative manner. Real classy, huh?

The 2009-2010 Boston Celtics season started off with newcomer Rasheed Wallace making a bold prediction that the C's would break the Chicago Bulls single season wins record. For someone who had not been around the team long this seemed like a very bold prediction by Sheed and many people figured that he would probably eat his words.

To break that record the C's would have had to been 100% healthy and have absolutely no hiccups in their season. To many peoples surprise the Celtics came out of the gate hungry and looked like a team that could quite possibly win 73 games. They won their first six games by an average margin of eighteen points and looked unbeatable. The C's continued to look dominant as the second quarter of the season came around and they carried a 20-4 record.

At that point in time the Celtics then seemed to hit a bump in the road. The "Celtics Swagger" that we all grew to know and love suddenly disappeared. Instead of being that team that went into buildings confident and ready to play, they were a team that walked into buildings thinking they would come out with a win just because they were the Boston Celtics.

This same attitude stayed with the Celtics for the majority of the season and they struggled to maintain any sort of confidence, or better yet "swagger". Finally the playoffs rolled around and many people were still unsure about whether this team really thought they could win a NBA championship. We all knew they had the talent, but we did not know if they believed in themselves. 

In the Celtics first round series against the Miami Heat we could notice a totally different look on the faces of the guys sporting "Celtics" on the front of their jerseys. Every single player, even Rasheed Wallace, had a look in their eyes that relayed the message that we want to win this thing. This was no longer just a regular season game, it was win or go home time and these guys didn't want to go home.

Don't ask me what helped the Celtics suddently regain this confidence but it happened and it is now a pleasure to watch. They are no longer unsure about their future, they know and truly believe that they can win the NBA championship. When Paul Pierce says, "We are coming back to Boston to end this series" it is all about confidence. He isn't trying to rub it in the faces of his opponents; he is telling himself and his teammates that we can do this. That is the difference between being cocky and being confident.

A large man once said, "Paul Pierce is the motha (expletive) truth". That man is now on the team the Celtics have a bull's-eye on, the Cleveland Cavaliers. When Shaquille O'Neal said that quote Paul Pierce had just single-handedly kept the Celtics in a game against the L.A Lakers. In that game he played like the vintage Paul Pierce that I enjoyed watching when I was growing up.

We now fast forward nine years to 2010 and the two are matched up once again. The only difference, they are both on their decline. Even with that being said, we have seen shining moments from Paul Pierce this season. He has shown glimpses of returning to "vintage" Paul Pierce, but not on a consistent basis.

So far during the series against the Cavs, Pierce has been ultimately a non-factor. He is averaging a dismal 12.7 points per game on 30.9% shooting. The same guy that also shot 41.4% from three point land during the regular season, and was crowned NBA Three Point Champion, is shooting a horrible 25% from the three point line during the series. Although we cannot expect vintage Paul Pierce at the age of thirty-two, we should be expecting more than we are getting from him.

With all of this being said, I have a weird gut feeling that Paul Pierce is going to come out tomorrow in game four ready to play. Don't ask me what make me think that, but I just have this weird feeling. People have been heckling him the past few days about his lack of offensive production and I believe he is going to come out of the tunnel a determined man.

If I am wrong, so be it. I am not just trying to go out on a limb by saying this, I have watched Paul Pierce for my entire life and there is something about his attitude and style that makes me believe he's going to play well tomorrow. Hopefully it's not a jinx, but if Pierce comes out and plays like the "motha (expletive) truth" you can say that Gino's Jungle told you so.

Photos via Yahoo Sports/Getty Images

Tomorrow evening Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder will storm into the Garden for a 7:30pm matchup against the hometown gang. If you weren't nervous about this matchup before today then you should be now. According to our friend Chris Forsberg over at ESPN Boston, Celtics capatain Paul Pierce suffered another "stinger" today during practice and is questionable for tomorrow night's game.

Via Forsberg's Twitter Account:

 Pierce aggravates shoulder injury midway through practice. Doc calls it a stinger, says he's questionable tomorrow vs OKC.

All we can hope for is that this is only a "stinger" and will not affect Pierce coming down the stretch. As for tomorrow night, just sit the man. When it comes down to it there really is no reason to rush him into the lineup if he is not 100% healthy. If he's a 100% healthy then hey, go for it. Whether he plays or not you can expect tomorrow night's game to be a very tough one against the young and athletic Thunder squad.

Perkins Update: According to multiple sources, including Forsberg, the big man will be ready to go during tomorrow night's game.

 (Paul Pierce For Threeeeee!!!!)

Before this season if someone asked you which Boston Celtics player deserved a shot in the three point contest, I am 99% sure you would all say Ray Allen or Eddie House. This year a player not known as well for his three point shooting, Paul Pierce, has a legit chance at being in the three point contest.

Pierce is currently shooting 46.5% from three point land, a career best for the future hall of famer, and is currently fourth in the league in three point shooting, which is clearly enough to get him in. Do you think Pierce is up for the challenge? Of course he is. According to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE, Pierce is more than ready to make up for his poor performance in the contest in 2002.

Via A. Sherrod Blakely:

"I remember," he said. "I would like to redeem myself for years back when I went out there and had a pitiful performance," Pierce said. "It would be nice to get a call on that, show people what I got."

I would really like to Pierce get a shot to prove himself as a three point shooter in the league. Of course there will be the people who don't want him participating because of health concerns. But how bad could it really be, there will be no contact involved, he will simply be shooting just like he would in a practice.

It would be very cool to see a guy like Pierce involved in something outside of playing in the all-star game, the last time we saw something like this was Gerald Green in 2007 and we all know what happened there. Hopefully if Pierce is in the contest this year his success will resemble that of Green's.

Is anyone ready to play a game? If you are this is what you need to do. First you need to close your eyes, after you do that think very hard and try to guess what member of the Boston Celtics will miss a game next. Okay, well maybe that wasn't a very fun game but you get the point.

Yesterday I did a post on here asking if there was a thing known as good news with the Boston Celtics. At that time I really didn't think there was such a thing. Thankfully I was wrong, well fifty percent wrong. Today news was flying out of the Celtics practice facility in Waltham, MA.

We first learned from the man I now refer to as Mr. Reliable, Chris Forsberg, that both Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo returned to the court today. Both players practiced with the first unit and will travel with the team. There is no official word that both players will suit up, you can only hope and assume. Pierce, however, is more likely suit up according to Doc Rivers.

Via Chris Forsberg (ESPN):

"Paul looked good, Rondo you couldn't tell because he didn't do much. So we'll see [Wednesday]. I think he's going to go, but I wouldn't write that down in pen, for sure. Paul probably will [play Wednesday], that's what it looks like. So that would help us a lot. Just getting one of those guys back, I'd be happy. Both would be absolutely fantastic."

A good day right? Having Pierce and Rondo back all must be jolly right? Wrong. The second bit of news came out shortly after when we learned that both Kendrick Perkins and Eddie House missed today's practice with some sort of sickness.

Earlier in the day it was assumed that Eddie House would not travel with the team, but sources still believed Perkins would make the trip to Miami. Mr. Reliable confirmed that report later tonight by reporting that Kendrick Perkins did get off the plane in Miami, but the team was without Eddie House.

With the league's stance on players playing with sickness it is unknown whether or not Perkins will suit up tomorrow. Frank Dell'Apa, Boston Globe beat writer, reported that the Celtics practiced with a first unit of Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Scalabrine, and Sheed. If Perk shows any signs of sickness tomorrow I expect Scal to get the start as the Celtics look to win back to back games.

Today the guys in green (Boston Celtics) stepped onto the court at their training facility in Waltham, MA for their daily practice. The Celtics were without head coach Doc Rivers, who was dealing with some sort of personal issue. Tom Thibodeau was the man in charge for today's practice.

According to Mr. Reliable, Chris Forsberg, the Celtics prepared for Wednesday's game against Miami as if they would be without Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce.

Via Chris Forsberg: 

Celtics preparing as if Rondo, Pierce, and KG will not be available Wednesday. Pierce expected to update his progress tomorrow.

I can only assume that the Celtics will role out a similar lineup to that of which they used Saturday against Toronto. The only change may be replacing J.R Giddens in the starting lineup, with whom, I really don't know. I do expect to see Giddens get some quality time of the bench. From what we saw Saturday though, this guy is no where near being a legitimate starter.

For now I guess we just cross our fingers and hope one of these guys (Pierce or Rondo) will be on the floor Wednesday. If not the Celtics will need to use another total team effort to beat another playoff contending team, the Miami Heat. UMBUNTU lives on......

Photo: Newscom