It has been an odd season for the Boston Celtics. Injuries continue to plague this aging team, the addition of Rasheed Wallace has yet to bear fruit and both Cleveland and Orlando have left Boston trailing.
But not rule them out just yet.
Whilst it is true that teams cannot just switch the quality play on for the playoffs, the Celtics know that it is the post-season where they will really be judged and they have plenty of proven weapons.
Rajon Rondo continues to be a revelation at the point. He has been the Celtics' star man this season and his speed and trickery give him an advantage in matchups with almost every guard in the league.
And the Big Three might be a little older but they are still outstanding talents. Though injury concerns persist for Kevin Garnett and now Paul Pierce, it seems as though Boston will enter the playoffs with a fully fit roster.
Anyone watching the Celtics against Cleveland and again in Toronto this week witnessed how dangerous Ray Allen still is as a perimeter scorer. Allen was the subject of much trade talk in February but he remains a key cog for Boston with his smooth shooting stroke and off the ball movement.
The Celtics will face either Milwaukee or Miami in the first round and their balanced attack should be too good. When the stakes are raised, expect to see the Garnett and Pierce of old resurface.
But then a showdown with the Cavaliers would potentially await in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. The teams split the regular season series but LeBron James has had a field day in recent meetings. Boston would be underdogs but any team boasting Rondo and veterans like Allen, Pierce, Garnett, Wallace and Michael Finley cannot be discounted.
The elder statesmen on the team know this could be their last swing for a ring and that will provide a little extra motivation. The Celtics are outsiders to reach the NBA Finals but do not be surprised if the playoffs bring out the best in Boston.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
NBA: Update on race for number two spot in West
A big win for the Dallas Mavericks in Portland on Friday night kept them in pole position for the second spot in the West - but there are bound to be more twists and turns over the final five days of the season.
The Denver Nuggets sit third at present - and host the San Antonio Spurs tonight - while Utah moved into fourth with a battling win in New Orleans.
And a loss for the Phoenix Suns against Kevin Durant's Thunder dropped Steve Nash and company down to the number five spot.
Dallas' remaining games: @ Kings, @ Clippers, v Spurs
Denver's remaining games: v Spurs, v Grizzlies, @ Suns
Utah's remaining games: @ Warriors, v Suns
Phoenix's remaining games: v Rockets, v Nuggets, @ Jazz
The Denver Nuggets sit third at present - and host the San Antonio Spurs tonight - while Utah moved into fourth with a battling win in New Orleans.
And a loss for the Phoenix Suns against Kevin Durant's Thunder dropped Steve Nash and company down to the number five spot.
Dallas' remaining games: @ Kings, @ Clippers, v Spurs
Denver's remaining games: v Spurs, v Grizzlies, @ Suns
Utah's remaining games: @ Warriors, v Suns
Phoenix's remaining games: v Rockets, v Nuggets, @ Jazz
Soccer: Manchester United enter must-win territory
Sir Alex Ferguson has been in the game long enough to know that if his Manchester United side fail to win against Blackburn at Ewood Park on Sunday, they can forget about a fourth straight Premier League title.
Ten days ago, United looked a good bet for a Treble. But their season now lies in ruins after losing to Chelsea and being dumped out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
Their league hopes are not dead yet though. Chelsea must still visit Tottenham and Liverpool in the next few weeks and may well drop points. But United have to be perfect over the rest of the campaign.
Starting on Sunday, against an improving Blackburn side, the champions need a big response.
Ten days ago, United looked a good bet for a Treble. But their season now lies in ruins after losing to Chelsea and being dumped out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
Their league hopes are not dead yet though. Chelsea must still visit Tottenham and Liverpool in the next few weeks and may well drop points. But United have to be perfect over the rest of the campaign.
Starting on Sunday, against an improving Blackburn side, the champions need a big response.
Friday, April 2, 2010
NBA: Matchups to avoid
The Lakers want nothing to do with the Blazers and would settle for the Spurs or even the Thunder.
The Jazz have struggled against the Thunder and would prefer a clash with Portland or San Antonio.
The Nuggets have fared well against Utah and Portland but might prefer to avoid the Thunder. Plus, Phoenix has given Denver problems too.
Predictions out West:
LAKERS-SPURS
MAVS-BLAZERS
NUGGETS-THUNDER
JAZZ-SUNS
The Jazz have struggled against the Thunder and would prefer a clash with Portland or San Antonio.
The Nuggets have fared well against Utah and Portland but might prefer to avoid the Thunder. Plus, Phoenix has given Denver problems too.
Predictions out West:
LAKERS-SPURS
MAVS-BLAZERS
NUGGETS-THUNDER
JAZZ-SUNS
NBA: Race in the West set to go the distance
The Los Angeles Lakers might have locked up top spot in the West but the rest of the seedings are still very much up in the air.
The Denver Nuggets' victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday ended their miserable run of five losses in six games and suddenly Carmelo Anthony and company do not look so adrift in the race for the number two spot.
Denver sits fifth at present and face a string of tough games in the final two weeks - but as Chauncey Billups admitted, there will be plenty of musical chairs in the rankings along the way.
The Utah Jazz leapfrogged the Dallas Mavericks into second place after the latter's loss against the visiting Orlando Magic on Thursday. But the Phoenix Suns, winners of nine straight, are also eyeing up that position.
In truth, even the Oklahoma City Thunder, now sixth, could yet rise up the standings.
Denver travels to Phoenix for its final regular season outing and few would be surprised if nothing is decided before then.
The Denver Nuggets' victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday ended their miserable run of five losses in six games and suddenly Carmelo Anthony and company do not look so adrift in the race for the number two spot.
Denver sits fifth at present and face a string of tough games in the final two weeks - but as Chauncey Billups admitted, there will be plenty of musical chairs in the rankings along the way.
The Utah Jazz leapfrogged the Dallas Mavericks into second place after the latter's loss against the visiting Orlando Magic on Thursday. But the Phoenix Suns, winners of nine straight, are also eyeing up that position.
In truth, even the Oklahoma City Thunder, now sixth, could yet rise up the standings.
Denver travels to Phoenix for its final regular season outing and few would be surprised if nothing is decided before then.
Soccer: Flashback to Pato debut
When a whole city - and plenty more besides - is watching your every move and you have been dubbed as the team's saving grace, it takes a special talent to shrug off the pressure and live up to the expectation. When that team is AC Milan and those fans are the Rossoneri, that statement holds ever truer.
Alexandre Pato arrived in Italy in the summer of 2007, carrying the reputation as the new big thing in Brazilian football and sending the Italian media into an almighty frenzy. He was just 17 years of age yet the youngster bore the brunt of a hefty €22M price tag. However, owing to registration regulations, his Serie A debut for the Italian giants would have to wait until the January transfer window opened.
And the long wait just added to the anticipation, with pundits all over Italy trying to predict that impact he might have. Milan had responded to the serious doubts over their aging team by signing one of the game's hottest young properties. For all the experience of Paolo Maldini, Filippo Inzaghi and Alessandro Nesta, the squad was crying out for an injection of youth to reignite their assault on the Serie A title and the Champions League.
Then-manager Carlo Ancelotti did not hesitate to trust Pato's ability, handing him his league debut in the Milan red and black against Napoli on January 13. The Brazilian, who had turned 18 in September, lined up alongside compatriots Ronaldo and Kaka as Milan unleashed one of the most deadly strikeforces in Europe.
That night would prove to be a fairytale for Pato as he surpassed even the loftiest of expectations. Milan terrorised Napoli, conjuring wave after wave of attacks and prompting the fans inside the San Siro to celebrate the start of a new era, in which their team would provide a genuine challenge to city rivals Inter.
Pato showed immediately that he was at home on the big stage, displaying good touch, quick feet and not a shred of fear. He seemed to have it all. The crowd applauded his every touch as Milan stormed to a 5-2 victory – remarkably their first home Serie A victory of the season.
Ronaldo opened the scoring but, after Napoli levelled, Pato demonstrated his sharp football brain by making a series of clever runs off the ball. One such run led to the home side’s second goal. Pato raced through, saw his effort stopped by opposition keeper Gennaro Iezzo but was soon celebrating as Clarence Seedorf netted the rebound.
He continued to be a sparkplug in the second half, bringing out the best in Ronaldo and helping Milan establish an advantage after the break. Kaka’s low shot made it 4-2 before Pato’s big debut moment arrived. Finally rewarded for his vibrant performance, he outpaced the Napoli back four and calmly picked his spot to put the gloss on a hugely promising display. Cue the bucket-loads of praise.
Ancelotti wasted no time in highlighting the quality of Pato’s Serie A debut. The Milan boss told reporters: “'Pato is a very fast player with great technical skills and he is a mature guy. His debut is on the same line as that of Kaka in Ancona. The feelings are the same, there's value and there is a technically important element. I am really happy the fans applauded him and cheered him.”
Pato was equally thrilled with his promising start, saying: 'I must thank Milan for giving me the opportunity to play. I am really happy for the game and for the goal that I have scored. I always dreamt of playing a game for AC Milan and that dream has come true. In the future I want to become a great player in the Milan shirt.'
He may well do just that. In the past two years, he has developed further as a striker, establishing himself as a key man for Brazil and Milan. The Italian giants remain in a rebuilding phase but Pato, as his debut suggested, has become a huge star.
Alexandre Pato arrived in Italy in the summer of 2007, carrying the reputation as the new big thing in Brazilian football and sending the Italian media into an almighty frenzy. He was just 17 years of age yet the youngster bore the brunt of a hefty €22M price tag. However, owing to registration regulations, his Serie A debut for the Italian giants would have to wait until the January transfer window opened.
And the long wait just added to the anticipation, with pundits all over Italy trying to predict that impact he might have. Milan had responded to the serious doubts over their aging team by signing one of the game's hottest young properties. For all the experience of Paolo Maldini, Filippo Inzaghi and Alessandro Nesta, the squad was crying out for an injection of youth to reignite their assault on the Serie A title and the Champions League.
Then-manager Carlo Ancelotti did not hesitate to trust Pato's ability, handing him his league debut in the Milan red and black against Napoli on January 13. The Brazilian, who had turned 18 in September, lined up alongside compatriots Ronaldo and Kaka as Milan unleashed one of the most deadly strikeforces in Europe.
That night would prove to be a fairytale for Pato as he surpassed even the loftiest of expectations. Milan terrorised Napoli, conjuring wave after wave of attacks and prompting the fans inside the San Siro to celebrate the start of a new era, in which their team would provide a genuine challenge to city rivals Inter.
Pato showed immediately that he was at home on the big stage, displaying good touch, quick feet and not a shred of fear. He seemed to have it all. The crowd applauded his every touch as Milan stormed to a 5-2 victory – remarkably their first home Serie A victory of the season.
Ronaldo opened the scoring but, after Napoli levelled, Pato demonstrated his sharp football brain by making a series of clever runs off the ball. One such run led to the home side’s second goal. Pato raced through, saw his effort stopped by opposition keeper Gennaro Iezzo but was soon celebrating as Clarence Seedorf netted the rebound.
He continued to be a sparkplug in the second half, bringing out the best in Ronaldo and helping Milan establish an advantage after the break. Kaka’s low shot made it 4-2 before Pato’s big debut moment arrived. Finally rewarded for his vibrant performance, he outpaced the Napoli back four and calmly picked his spot to put the gloss on a hugely promising display. Cue the bucket-loads of praise.
Ancelotti wasted no time in highlighting the quality of Pato’s Serie A debut. The Milan boss told reporters: “'Pato is a very fast player with great technical skills and he is a mature guy. His debut is on the same line as that of Kaka in Ancona. The feelings are the same, there's value and there is a technically important element. I am really happy the fans applauded him and cheered him.”
Pato was equally thrilled with his promising start, saying: 'I must thank Milan for giving me the opportunity to play. I am really happy for the game and for the goal that I have scored. I always dreamt of playing a game for AC Milan and that dream has come true. In the future I want to become a great player in the Milan shirt.'
He may well do just that. In the past two years, he has developed further as a striker, establishing himself as a key man for Brazil and Milan. The Italian giants remain in a rebuilding phase but Pato, as his debut suggested, has become a huge star.
Friday, March 19, 2010
NBA: Thunder thump Raptors, continue surge for home court advantage
One team is soaring towards a high playoff seed, the other is treading water on the edge of the playoff picture. And this could not have been more evident on Friday night as the Oklahoma City Thunder trampled all over the Toronto Raptors, winning 115-89.
Kevin Durant led the way with 31 points and Jeff Green added 25 as the Thunder raced ahead and were up by 27 at the half.
With the Raptors' offense stagnating and their defense typically limited, Durant had little trouble getting to the rim while Green and Kyle Weaver punished Toronto with the three.
Amid boos and early crowd exits, the Thunder bolted on in the second half. Playing with the greater energy, their young line-up sliced through a Raptors team that is blowing up at the worst possible time. Only the injuries besetting the Chicago Bulls are keeping Toronto in the playoff picture. They remain eighth but have games with Dallas, Utah and Denver over the next seven days.
Meanwhile, Durant, Westbrook and Green sat out the entire fourth quarter. Their sights are set higher, zoning in on a top four finish. The Thunder are sitting pretty as dark horses to make the Western Conference Finals.
Kevin Durant led the way with 31 points and Jeff Green added 25 as the Thunder raced ahead and were up by 27 at the half.
With the Raptors' offense stagnating and their defense typically limited, Durant had little trouble getting to the rim while Green and Kyle Weaver punished Toronto with the three.
Amid boos and early crowd exits, the Thunder bolted on in the second half. Playing with the greater energy, their young line-up sliced through a Raptors team that is blowing up at the worst possible time. Only the injuries besetting the Chicago Bulls are keeping Toronto in the playoff picture. They remain eighth but have games with Dallas, Utah and Denver over the next seven days.
Meanwhile, Durant, Westbrook and Green sat out the entire fourth quarter. Their sights are set higher, zoning in on a top four finish. The Thunder are sitting pretty as dark horses to make the Western Conference Finals.
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