Celtics at the Bobcats, Gameday Preview

Today may be the day that the Bobcats beat the Celtics.  Stranger things have happened.  For example, I won each of my $1 bets last night, beginning with taking the under on Christina Aguilera taking 1:54 to spout out the National Anthem, followed by taking heads in the coin-toss challenge, a couple more random props and then finally the Packers -3 and the total exceeded 45.5.  I won a whooping $25 all told.  So if I can win a string of like 6 little bets, the Bobcats can beat the Celtics.

The Bobcats are 2 for 12 against Boston in their current “Boston Three Party” structure.  The losses have been ugly.  Since the last win, midway through the 08-09 season, the losses have looked like this:  -2 (hey!), -33 (the 59 point total to begin the season), -18, -24, -31 (Larry liked losing to those guys A LOT), and finally, to restore some respect, Paul Silas against his former team, a -5 loss on January 14th of this year.  The Celtics were without Kevin Garnett in that meeting but Shaq, the ageless one, picked up the slack with 23 points and Rondo chipped in 18 points and 13 assists.

This time around, KG will be back, sadly for everyone especially Charlotte Ball Boys.  However, the Celtics are coming off a mid-day Super Bowl primer against Orlando, in which they lost back-up point guard Marquis Daniels to a serious-looking neck injury.  It was one of those shocking moments when a guy goes down, everyone knows it’s the neck and everyone knows what that could mean.  Daniels should be ok, however he does have a spinal cord bruise and will miss about a month.  Shaq will be out as well, however the Celtics have Kendrick Perkins, their starter at the center position, back.

I don’t know.  I just think that there is a chance in there for the Bobcats.  I want it to be that way.  I really do hate the Celtics.  I’ve told the story before.  Boston fans have gotten a chip on their shoulder ever since the Red Sox upped their game and the Patriots started winning and then the three stars joined up.  They swarm to anywhere showing a game and god forbid, if there is a Boston team visiting your city.  I think the apocylipse may be upon us if the Bruins ever become a contender.

I first realized the heft of the Boston fanbase in that first year the “Big 3” were together and they showed up in droves to the Cable Box.  It was unreal.  The whole year I don’t think the games had been that packed, I was used to having some room to breathe in my upper level seats.  I got up just after halftime to get a beer, as I’m prone to do.  I was in a deep line and quickly realized I had chosen the wrong one.  5 big burly business lookin dudes in their uniform of dress slacks and starched button ups, with the roughed up Sawks hat (on a Saturday in January no less).  Dude turns around and asks me where I got my shirt, it was a Bobcats shooting shirt.  I said “Here” being the arena.  “What do ya mean hear-rah?”  Ugh oh, heavy Boston accent, he wasn’t looking to get one just like it for himself.  “Yeah, downstairs, the team store.”  “Ahh, really,  Hey Towwwmmy.  Towwwwmmmy check this dude out!  Bobcats shurt”  Here we go.  “You actualy ly-ck those guys?”  “Yeah.  Hey, by the way, where’d you get your shurt?”  He leans in real close like he wants to rumble “I got my shurt at the Nat-e-cah Out-lat, Worshester MASS!”  thankfully they got their beers and moved on.

I hate Boston.  Kevin Garnett and his false intensity.  What professional do you see beating their head against the upright supporting the basket to get himself pumped?  A 34 year old pro?  Come on.  He’s been called out several times.  Biggest stories have been his comments towards Charlie Villunueva, the comment he made to the ball boy when he asked for an autograph and now, his dirty play on Channing Frye.  I’m not saying Frye deserved it, but I mean, I don’t particularly like the guy, but you don’t hit him in the nuts on a shot attempt.  He got ejected but these comments a few days ago…ridiculous.  We ”played a back-to-back in Phoenix. This game was physical as well and super ugly. I never apologize for my actions, as I play with passion. I actually got ejected for (the ref said) ‘talking too much.’  Can you believe that? It was unfortunate, and I hate to leave my team out there without being around to support them. Doc [Rivers] got ejected and then fined $15,000 for not leaving the court in a timely manner. A TIMELY MANNER. WOW. The game ended, and we got worked over. It could’ve been the back-to-back and travel, but they played well.”  (From CBSSports.com).

It’s like he enjoys it.

Anyway, beyond personal preference, I can’t point to anything that says the Bobcats will win this game.  It should be a good game.