I admit that being a sideline reporter is not always an easy job. You have to fight to get interviews with players and coaches, and when you finally get them they usually turn out to be repetitive and mundane. Greg Dickerson did just that with Kevin Garnett last night, but his interview was anything but mundane. Garnett decided to curse right when Dickerson brought the mic to him, and then shot the Celtics' superstar one of the dirtiest looks you will ever see....

You can't exactly tell what he says, but you can clearly hear the f-word. I'm thinking that he said "get the f**k out of here", but I could be wrong. Too funny though.

This could quite possibly be one of the best series I've ever seen. Not only did the Bulls come back from down eight with two to go, but they took the defending champs to three overtimes and somehow forced a game seven. Here's some of the crazy video. I've split it into two parts....the first being the regulation and first two overtimes, and the second being the final minutes of the 3rd OT. Just unbelievable and complete with a Joakim Noah sighting....Enjoy!

Just unbelievable. I'm going to let the video speak for itself on that one.

I don't think I've seen a series this rough since the late 80s/early 90s, and the hatred continued early in Game Six of the Bulls-Celts showdown tonight. Kirk Heinrich decided to elbow Brian Scalabrine below the belt, and when boxed out Rajon Rondo on the next play to about the three point line, Rondo didn't seem to like that one bit. Let's play the feud....again!!!

Now this is Playoff Basketball! Actually that was kind of a bitch move by both, but you can't entirely blame them for getting frustrated. I'm also thinking that would be a great one-on-one fight, Heinrich vs. Rondo, but no one would want to see it come to that. Right? Of course not.

I still think the Celtics are employing a WWE-style storyline, with Kevin Garnett coming out of the locker room during the fourth game of the Eastern Conference Finals, but they have to get there without him first. Thanks to Ray Allen, they can actually achieve that now....

I wasn't stoked for the NBA Playoffs in the least, but it takes just one game and finish like this, to get you psyched. The Playoffs have officially begun....DAGGER!

The NBA released it's first Playoff commercial for this year, and just like with everything else they put together, it's perfect. Here's your first look....

Man, watching that dunk in slow motion is pretty intense. It's almost like Lebron had "no regard for human life"!

New NBA Ad Campaign (Alana G)

Teams: Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics
Location: TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA
Start Time: 1:00 PM EST
Announcers and Network: Mike Tirico, Hubie Brown (ABC)

Maybe "open thread" is the wrong term. I'll be watching, and while this is by no means a live blog, I'll be chipping in some observations as we go, hopefully.

1st Quarter

Is there anyone left who doesn't think that the Jason Kidd trade was a bad idea? I see the rotations early, and one would think that Rick Carlisle would have found a good way to put Devin Harris to use.

Dirk is 0-7 so far, and Dallas is working way too hard, thanks to the Celtics' defense. On offense, Hubie's right -- it's pretty much lay-up and kick-out drills. Even Brian Scalabrine is hitting 3s.

Ray Allen drops another 3. I'm not sure if the Celtics have missed one yet.

Hubie Brown's a little terrifying in HD.

Rondo pops a nice jumper to end the quarter, 38-23, Cees.

2nd Quarter

Another defensive breakdown by the Mavs when Scalabrine finds Eddie House on the backside just before the shot clock expires. Lead is 12 after Dirk hits one.

Mark Cuban should take MattyIce's suggestion of an oxygen tank for Kidd. Yikes. Another score and it's a 14-point lead again.

Now this is just Maryland-like on the part of the Mavs. 25 point lead on the same basic lay-in or kick-out for long shot offensive principles for Boston. Another jumper for Rondo. Remember how everyone knocked him and said you had to keep him out of the lane? Now, if that jump shot's as consistent as it looks, he'll be just as feared as the Big 3 down the line.

The Mavs have no handle right now. The passes aren't crisp at all and it's no surprise that they're turning the ball over.

Another House 3. 31 point lead.

Lead's now 36. Lazy pass, steal, kick out to House -- 72-41. Man, screw this game. That's 10 first-half 3s for the Cees. Ridiculously efficient shooting. Probably still over 65% for the game. OK, now it's merely a 28 point lead again.

Screengrab time! The Boston Celtics were on a bit of a downturn as of late, losing four of their last six, but last night they were playing the Eastern Conference "sure win" in the Charlotte Bobcats. Well the Celts ended up losing the game 114-106, and while the questions are starting to pile up, the team's website refuses to believe that they lost to Charlotte....


My favorite part about both of those articles is that the score is different in both copies, while the actual score is shown above as the game is going on. I know that reporters write up copy both ways during close games, but come on. Too funny.

Oh and one more thing....It's Starbury Time!

(Thanks to PH for sending those images in)

It's been a while since we've had an update from our friend "The Machine", but after a long offseason, Sasha is finally ready to talk about Game Four of the NBA Finals. Via Lakers Nation....

Man, I just can't get enough of those. Just too funny. There should be a new one every week...NAY!...every single day. That's probably unrealistic, but what AA wants....AA gets. Get to work Lakers Nation!

Machine Break Down (Lakers Nation)

I love simple commercials when it comes to Sports. Just showing old clips, or action on the field/court, is usually enough to give me goosebumps. Even more though, I actually pay attention. Well ten days ago, I told you that Turner Sports was going to create a campaign around that premise for NBA TV, League Pass and NBA.com, and it definitely doesn't disappoint. Here's the first one with Kevin Garnett....

Less is always more, and if you add in a piano slowly playing in the background, I'm sold. Good work Turner, and I can't wait to see the next one.

Turner To Heavily Promote NBA Product, Relaunch NBA TV (Awful Announcing)

How's this for random? Mike Golic is off this Friday so Greenberg has decided to fill his very large shoes with the NBA Finals MVP. Paul Pierce will be the in-studio fill in for the big guy and he'll be bringing along some special call-in guests....

Paul Pierce of the World Champion Boston Celtics will be a guest host on ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning (6-10 a.m. ET M-F) on Friday, Aug. 15. Pierce will fill in for Mike Golic, joining regular co-host Mike Greenberg, in ESPN Radio’s Bristol, Conn. studios. While all sports topics will be covered, special call-in guests will include Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck (7:40 a.m.), head coach Doc Rivers (8:10 a.m.), and GM Danny Ainge (9:40 a.m.).

There are various co-hosts on the show all the time, but usually they're from the Radio World. It'll be refreshing to see/hear an athlete on the show that isn't trying to hock a product or some cheesy event (*ahem*DeionSanders*ahem*). I'm honestly surprised they haven't tried this more often, and if it goes well look for it more in the coming months. Presumably with members of ESPN's favorite teams the Yankees, Red Sox and Patriots, but more none-the-less.

(Via ESPN)

Paul Pierce was on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night and after Kimmel fulfilled a promise to eat Pierce's headband during the intro the Finals MVP showed up in style....by wheelchair....

That was hilarious and the whole interview is pretty good as well (8 minutes!). Check it out over at Boston Sportz.

Paul Pierce On Kimmel

I was reading through all of the ratings numbers after Game Six and something weird stuck out. The 2008 Finals obviously handily took out most of the years past, including last years worst total rating ever of 6.2, but for some reason couldn't beat the 2004 matchup of the Pistons and Lakers.

The Celtics-Lakers Finals pulled in an ending average of 9.3 over the six game series and Game Six itself finished with 10.7 rating (12,085,000 households). Game Six also beat 2005's Heat-Mavs Game Six by 7% (there wasn't one last year) and won the night for ABC. In fact all six games won each night they aired for the network, which is huge for a Finals series.

Of course the late 90s had the Bulls and 1998 had the highest average number during the Bulls-Jazz Series (18.7), but the Pistons-Lakers in 2000 (11.5)? I know that series featured some pretty great players, and it was a huge upset, but three of those five games were blowouts and Boston is definitely a bigger market than Detroit (although not by much). In the end, I don't know if the 80s and 90s numbers will ever be touched but this Finals matchup at least gave the NBA and ABC some life in regards to ratings. Especially when last year's numbers were so dreadful.

(Numbers via ESPN PR)

I've watched this video about 15 times now and I seriously can't stop laughing. Your team just one it's 17th National Championship and you have the where with all to stop and boo the hell out of Stuart Scott AND David Stern....

Hilarious. Can someone also explain to me what the point of introducing Stu Scott so he could introduce David Stern was? I also love the pause that Stuyah does waiting for the cheers, and then it's dead silent. Classic.

(That's the last of the Celtics videos for now, I promise. We'll be getting into our regular Wednesday now.)

Well Boston has done it again and I don't know what to say. There's not a single player on this team that you can hate (unless you're a Lakers fan) and you couldn't even really root against them (unless you're Jemele Hill). Screw all the particulars and stats....the Celtics put up 131 points (131!) and KG is certifiable. Let's get into the video....

Just a great way for arguably three of the best players to never win a title, to take solidify their greatness in the league. And oh yes...you're certified KG...but who the hell cares? Be as crazy as you want to be tonight. Congrats again Boston and be careful tonight....there's a full moon out there. Oh and what I said earlier about hating all of you.....you booed Stu Scott, so we're cool!

Update: Here's Garnett's post game press conference complete with a question from Scoop Jackson!

Who: L.A. Lakers at Boston Celtics
What: Game Six of the NBA Finals
Where: TD Banknorth Garden- Boston, Massachusetts
When: 9pm (ABC)
Why: So Joey Crawford can force a Game Seven for the NBA or The NBA Championship
Spread: Celtics -5, O/U 191

The Celtics have shot number two at the Championship and this time it's at home. Is it banner number seventeen or a game seven on Thursday night? Predictions and thoughts in the comments and I'll see you later on. Until then enjoy my favorite photo of the Finals so far.....

______________________

And we're live from Boston, Massachusetts! Dwyane Wade is your guest studio host and he's about as exciting as watching the grass grow.

"If you remember when [Doc] was in Los Angeles, he had Tracy McGrady but never had Grant Hill."- Stephen A. Smith (Via Luis)

That's random. Sorry I missed that one.

My prediction: Jon Barry makes the observation that in Game 6's, the team which scores the most points wins 60% of the time. That, and I think the Lakers win by 4. (Via Mike T)

Jon Barry is a Basketball genius even though he averaged something like 4.3 ppg in his career. Don't you forget that!

Wade is the best they could do? He was hurt more than anything this season. Where is LeBron James? Where is Mano Ginobli? Where is Charles Freaking Barkley? (Via Rdmblog)

Yeah that's a weird choice. TNT goes to him a lot as well for some reason. I think he's a great player, but is boring as hell on TV.

"Coming up Jon Barry explains why he is one of the keys to Game Six for the Lakers."- Stuart Scott

Oh man....this is going to be good.

Paula Cole? Was Yoko Ono busy? (Via Heef)

Seriously. Man I've got goosebumps for this intro. Something special is going down tonight. Hahaha Kobe just broke out the devil horns for ACDC!


"The Lakers don't have a good matchup to start the game with Radmonovic [on Pierce]- Jeff Van Gundy

Why do they even play him? He gets used on defense and up until last game he did nothing on offense. Bill Russell is on hand along with Jo Jo, ML Carr, Ced Max, and Hondo. Good stuff. Lakers get the tip and we're underway....already a foul on K-Perk. Kobe hits a jumper to start LA's scoring. Ooooh and an early questionable call by Crawford. Pierce called for the block as Fisher bowls him over.

Rondo is off early but he gets a steal.....ALLEN FOR THREE! 4-3 Lakers. Odom is off and Allen draws a foul. He'll head to the line.

Charles, Kenny, and E.J. on with Leno tonight. Don Rickles also scheduled tonight. Can only imagine Rickles and Barkley on the couch at the same time. (Via Jeff The Web Guy)

Good reminder. Allen hits both and the Celtics lead. Kobe responds with a three though. Rondo is off again but he's hustling tonight....he gets a loose ball and gets fouled. Make, Make. Bryant again for three....uh oh. Pierce is off while trying to draw a foul. Steal...and a defensive three seconds. Allen hits.

"How do you break a windshield on a plane?"- Jeff Van Gundy

Rondo misses yet again but so does Odom and Garnett ties it up. Rondo....miss. Gasol has Pierce on him but fades away for some reason...brick. Slow it down people....this pace is killing me. Kobe turns it over....AND RONDO FINALLY HITS! Two point Celtics lead. KOBE WITH ANOTHER THREE! Good lord.....finally a timeout....

13-12 Boston with 5:07 left in the first

"He's the best player in the planet...on the world..."- Jeff Van Gundy (Via The Fourth)

Boston has celebrities too!

"Steven Tyler, I don't think I've ever seen him at an NBA game."- Mike Breen

"He [Kobe} has to put the kids to bed and he's certainly done that."- Mark Jackson

Huh? I'm confused. Fisher misses a three and Allen drops in a layup. Ray is hurt and got poked in the eye by Odom. He mugged him on that drive.

Lamar Odom with the Three Stooges defense. (Via Moe)

We're tied after Odom makes a free throw but Garnett breaks it with a jumper. They're letting them play as the trio points out. Walton gets two and then gets to the line on another possession. Lakers up two. Garnett hits and we're tied...again. Gasol is off and Brown rebounds. Garnett with the fadeaway and he's on tonight. Timeout Lakers....

20-18 Boston, 2:40 left

Can't wait to see Ira Newble on the second quarter tonight!!!! (Via Nabucodonozor)

Ooooh....PBJs for everyone! Pierce misses a layup after a nice drive and JVG nicknaming KG, The Big Loaf. Both teams miss and Farmar dribbles the ball of his butt out of bounds. ALLEY OOP! BROWN TO GARNETT!!! That could have been what KG was diagramming in the timeout on the dry erase board. Farmar misses but Posey throws it away. Rondo steals....no....foul called. That was a weak call. Farmar to the line....Make, Make. Boston leads by two 48 secs left....

Pierce...bang. Celts up four and get the two for one. Kobe misses a deep three. Celts get the last possession.....Pierce schools Walton but they had a foul to give and Luke gives it. Powe misses at the buzzer and that's the quarter.

24-20 Celtics after one

"It was a misunderstanding...I think Gasol was inviting Brown to the Opera."- Jeff Van Gundy (Via Steve)

Dumb.

What's the non sequiter of the day to come from Van Gundy? I'm guessing it has something to do with Aerosmith curing childhood obesity. (Via Mike T)

Good guess.

Am I the only one that made a PB+J after the KG segment? (The Fourth)

I wish I had one. Glen Davis comes in and the crowd goes nuts and the second is underway. A weak foul is called on Powe as he guards Kobe. Machine hits jumper! House answers with his own and Odom gets to the line on the other end.

Crawford T's up Doc and we're getting a little testy.....TESTIS? TESTIS? One, Two...Three??? Sorry....Pierce hits a nice three and the Beat LA chant picks up. Powe is off and the Celts lead stays at five. Odom to the line again. Boston's big men are getting into a bit of foul trouble. Make, Make. Powe with the lay in. Great pass from Pierce. Kobe misses a three and Farmar is called for a foul....

31-26 Celtics with 8:23 left

Michele says that Ray Allen hasn't come out of the Locker Room yet. Good report since EVERYONE KNOWS HE HASN'T! Sorry, I have an irrational hatred for her. Pierce hits two throws and the lead is six. Gasol hits a two (finally) but Posey is fouled on the other end. POSEY HITS A THREE! Boston is dominating the offensive glass.

Steal by Big Baby....HOUSE FOR THREE!!!! Timeout Lakers and the Garden is rocking...

38-29 Celtics with 6:25 left

Doc Rivers, you have been chosen to play Opportunity Knocks! All you gotta do is pretend to coach and you win a title! (Via Steve)

Hahahaha. That's a winner.

I'm pretty sure that after Game 5's Chris Mihm's fiasco, poor Chris is comfortably wearing his yellow CROCS by the bench. (Via Nabucodonozor)

He better be for the Lakers sake. Kobe is waaaaay short on a contested jumper.

"Still back here by the Celtics locker room. AHH here he is!"- Michele Tafoya

THIS is why we need sideline reporters! (via Anon)

Here comes Ray! Celtics win the tip and Fisher ends up in the camera well again. House actually got fouled on that play which I didn't see but he hits both and the lead is 11. Kobe gets ripped.....POSEY!!!!!!!! BANG!!!! Fourteen point lead. Timeout LA!

Gasol hits two free throws and we're under five minutes. Garnett with the fade...off. Garnett then almost gets a steal and dives on the court....love that. Ray is back in and Gasol hits again. He's using Davis...Garnett hits again and Rad briiiiiicks a three. Horrible shot. Radmonovic fouls Pierce on the inbounds and he's looking for a one way ticket to the bench. The Celts are getting every board tonight.

47-34 Boston, 3 minutes left

One way to stop Kobe? Play some freaking defense. The rest of the league needs to learn that. How many times did he waltz to the bucket during the western conference playoffs? Every series, unscathed. Look at him now. He's no Jordan. He's more like Gordon. (Via Rdmblog)

Oooh...good analysis there. Kobe is acting like the basket has herpes or something. He wants no part of it. Pierce hits the first....and the second. Rondo with another steal! He's everywhere....Perkins throws it away when he should have shot. Farmar gets to the line. Miss, Make. 14 point lead. Garnett with the "Dream Shake" and that's another two....7-10 from the field. Odom misses.....Rondo with a great fake and floater and this is becoming a blow out. Steal! OH MY GOD!!!!! KG WITH AN AMAZING AND ONE!!

How did he do that?! And he hits the throw....the lead is 21. 45 secs left....Odom gets stuffed by Perkins! Perkins from Garnett!!!! Wow. Kobe misses and that's the half. What a second quarter....the Celtics finish on a 26-6 run.

58-35 at the half

Wow... that play byGarnett almost made me dump my laptop... I was as excited as the Celtics bench... following what hch said... the Lakers bench has been like that ALL series... totally disinterested. (Via Anon)

Now THAT'S the Garnett I've always wanted to see in the postseason. (Via Steve)

The third is underway and bear with me while I catch up after pulling that Garnett video (it's loading). Allen hits a three and the lead is 27.

Wilbon just said the Lakers need to go small with Kobe, Fisher, Machine, Farmar, and Turiaf... and then grab rebounds. Please tell me I'm missing something? (Via Zak)

Yeah I heard that too...I thought he was gonna say jack some threes.

Did they put dwyane on the set just because he sponsors T-Mobile? (Via Anon)

Not sure but that's a good catch. Gasol gets an oop and the lead is 24. Pierce follows with a nice layup though. Radmonovic finally hits and the lead is 23....wait, 25. Rondo and one. Nice drive there. Fisher hits and can someone tell me where the hell Kobe is? I know he's on the court but he is a non-factor. Rondo with ANOTHER steal and Allen hits a three! Just pouring it on now.

There's Kobe...nice play on the inbounds with one on the shot clock. Garnett is fouled at the other end and he'll head to the line.

"Hondo lovin' what Rondo's doin'."- Mark Jackson

Garnett hits both and Kobe misses again. Garnett to the line....again. I sense a theme here. Make, Make. And Kupchak is yawning in the stands. Not a good sign. Another steal for the Celtics and a timeout.....

77-48 with 6:11 left....CUE THE BOSTON!

Why the hell is Kobe Bryant, a 1st Team All-Defensive Team selection, guarding the offensively inept Rajon Rondo, while the Radmanovic, a stiff on defense guards Paul Pierce... baffling. (Via Anon)

Remember this is the coach that put in Chris Mihm last game. Kobe misses....again. Odom grabs a Garnett miss but Garnett forces a jump ball at the other end. He then beats his chest to the crowd. Rad drains a three and the lead is just 28! Rondo gets a tip and Kobe finally gets a layup.

I'm rather upset that JVG hasn't gone on one of his famous tangents yet. Come on Jeff! Paul Pierce hits a pair of threes and the lead is 31....31! 4 minutes left in the third. I'm just waiting for the Lamar Odom cheap shot at this point. Radmonovic doesn't even care and he's just jacking threes.

84-54 with 2:57 left in the third

Wow. Rondo with another steal....

"Someone call 911, Rondo has just picked the pocket of Kobe Bryant."- Mark Jackson

If you want the Lakers' NBA Finals in a nutshell, I think it was that "post up" by Pau Gasol. (Via Anon)

I questioned the trade when it went down but he proved me wrong throughout the Playoffs until the Finals. The guy has played scared the entire Series. Kobe gets to the line and somehow has 22 points. You wouldn't know it by watching him. The lead is down to 25...under a minute to play. Rondo with another two. Kobe is swatted by PJ Brown and that about sums up the Lakers day. PJ hits a jumper for good measure. Kobe misses at the buzzer.....

89-60 Celtics after three

PJ Brown PWNS Kobe Bryant right there... Can we skip the 4th quarter so I can go to bed? Please? (Via Anon)

I'm pretty sure every state but Massachusetts is saying that right about now. Machine hits three and Rondo misses. Machine turn ball over and Rondo is fouled hard by Farmar....intentional. Flagrant one.

What do they do with the champagne from Sunday night? You know they had some in LA in case the Celtics won. Do they fly it out to Boston or just buy more? If they buy more, what happens to the stuff in LA? Do they give it away to Lakers office staff? Who supplies the champagne anyway, the home team, the winning team, the league? I wonder how champagne goes with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Anyone else looking forward to a dopey Scalabrine wearing swim goggles on the bench at the end of the 4th? (Via Pete)

Whoa that was a lot of questions.....I actually almost bid on a game used Scalabrine jersey today. $350 though so I passed.

Javon Walker used the champagne from Sunday night. (Via Anon)

TOO SOON! Farmar hits and the lead is 27. Ray Allen.....DAGGER! AND AGAIN!

101-70....this is like a ten minute victory lap.

Somehwere, Shaq is still smiling. (Via Steve)

"Where is Kobe?" in the background. Shades of "Where is Roger?" from the '99 ALCS. (Via DanteSheppard)

Anyone know where Jeff Van Gundy went? I haven't heard him talk in the past quarter and a half. RAY AGAIN! This is just embarrassing. 36 point lead! Insane. Good move by Odom for two. Garnett pulls down another O-reb. I don't think the Lakers have one of those tonight.

Farmar hits a three but Posey answers....and Garnett swats Odom. Hey Trevor Ariza!!!! Nice dunk. WE WANT MIHM! WE WANT MIHM!!!! Ray Allen again!!! Garnett blocks an Odom dunk and he's not happy. That was not a foul. HAHA...KG points to the screen. Love him.

Does the NBA have a mercy rule? (Via Michael)

"Who was throwing bricks at local cars?" ABC NY7 News Commercial
"Kobe Bryant?" - Me (Via Zak)

My vote for Finals MVP goes to Kevin McHale. (Via Ivan)

The Na-Na-Na Hey Hey chant kicks in and Boston is starting to celebrate. The Big Three comes out and that's just a great ovation. Powe with a dunk and Kobe misses a three. 3 minutes or so left. POSEY HITS! 123 POINTS!!! 38 point lead.

F**k, put a jersey on Russell, Jo Jo, Heinsohn, Maxwell, and Havlicek (Via Boston Barry)

YES A WNBA COMMERCIAL!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you NBA!

2:21 left to go and Garnett is crying on the sidelines. This is awesome. Odom is still playing tough as hell though. SE-VEN-TEEN! SE-VEN-TEEN!

"Come on mother (bleep)!"- Kevin Garnett

Damn ABC caught it. Good work. BIG BABBBBBBY WITH THE JAM!!!! ALLEN WITH THE OOP!

Okay that's enough....1 minute left. Machine hits three and gets hit in the face. That about sums it up. Doc gets the gatorade shower and now the fun begins!

3,2,1 (God I hate the city of Boston).....CONGRATULATIONS CELTICS THE 2007-2008 NBA CHAMPIONS!!!!

FINAL 131-92

(Videos and reax to follow)

I don't know what it is about these Vujacic clips but they are by far the best thing on the interwebs at the moment. Here's The Machine talking about his Game Three performance....

God bless you Lakers Fan, you're seriously doing the Lord's work with these clips.

Rock and Roll at TD Banknorth Garden tonight!

(H/T to Fanhouse)

If I asked you to guess the one ref you wouldn't want on a game with a potential Game Seven looming on the horizon in the NBA....who would you say? I'm willing to bet the 70% of you would probably say Joey Crawford. Well guess who's the lead official for Game Six in Boston tonight! Ding Ding Ding!!!

1. Joey Crawford: Crawford comes in pretty high on the homer scale, but after the whole Tim Duncan scandal and the no call on Fisher against Barry earlier in the Playoffs, the guy is just unpredictable. 32-23-3 ATS (Against the Spread).

Good For: Lakers, You would think his "Homer Ranking" would help out the Celtics, but Boston is just 2-2 in the Playoffs with him as a ref. Want to know what the Lakers record is with him calling their Playoff Games? 6-0!

2. Eddie F. Rush: Comes in at number fourteen on the homerism charts with a record of 42-33-1 ATS for home teams.

Good For: The Celtics, Boston is 4-1 this Playoff season with Rush doing their games.

3. Bennett Salvatore: I don't know one person on the planet that would be happy if Salvatore was calling their game. He's one of the worst officials in any Sport, and is so inconsistent it's a joke. BS was also the official that called a charge on Paul Pierce pump fake three where he leaned into Rodney Stuckey during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Good For: Coin Flip, The Celtics are 2-2 during Playoff games he reffed this season, and he comes in about the top third of the Homer scale at 42-36-0 ATS. The word your looking for is "unpredictability".
_______________________

Last game the refs called a pretty good game, but the stats pointed to the Lakers winning Game Five and they did. You just know the NBA wants a Game Seven but there doesn't seem to be any signs pointing to a Lakers advantage in the ref assignment. The only overwhelming statistic is the Lakers record with Crawford calling their games. To go 6-0 with one ref during the Playoffs is virtually impossible. Again, this is not a science, but still interesting to look at.

NBA Referees “Homer” Sorted By ATS (Covers)
Referee assignments for Game 6 (Boston.com)

I wrote the words "wow" and "unbelievable" about 50 times each in the live-blog, but really what else is there to say? The Celtics pulled off one of the biggest comebacks that I've ever seen and arguably one of the biggest in Finals history. They were down 21 at the end of the first, down 18 at the half, 20 in the third and the largest lead was 24.....on the road!

Here's the clip show....

Ray Allen just played out of his mind at the end of that game and looked like a teenager. James Posey hit one of the biggest shots of the season. Eddie House who played terrible at times, had some key rebounds and a three. And most importantly the Celtics overcame the largest halftime deficit in Finals history since the inception of the shot clock and just completely shocked the NBA World.

With all of that said, there was still a ticky-tack call on that Pierce drive and Steve Javie was at the center of it all. I told you that he is a road team ref earlier in the day, and no matter what combination the NBA puts out there at this point, there always seems to be a controversy.

That's not to take anything away from the Celtics who are now one step away from the NBA Championship. Oh and again....unbelievable and wow.

Since these posts always seem to spark up some interest let's try again for Game Four. Drumroll Please!

Joe DeRosa: An extremely favorable ref for home teams and in fact leads all referees with a 51-27-2 ATS (Against the Spread).

Good For: Lakers, Derosa called three Celts Playoffs games this year and they were 2-1 but his homerism record speaks for itself.

Tom Washington: Comes in at number four on the homerism charts with a record of 48-31-1 for home teams.

Good For: The Lakers, Celts are 0-2 in Playoff games he's called for them this postseason.

Steve Javie: He's one of the most despised referees by hometown fans because he never cuts the host team any slack. Comes in 59 of 62 on the same ratings scale as the above two refs were measured on.

Good For: The Celtics, The Celtics are 2-1 during Playoff games he reffed this season, and one of those victories came at home against the Hawks (Game Seven)

So who looks good? Obviously the Lakers but as Fanhouse points out, Javie is the lead official so he's got the final word. Should be interesting, but let's hope they stay out of the mix for good. And at least Steve Javie is kind to babies right? That has to count for something.

Here Are Your Referees for Game 4: Which Team Has the Edge? (Fanhouse)
Referee assignments for tonight (Boston.com)
NBA Referees “Homer” Sorted By ATS (Covers)

It was Plaschke calling out Pierce for overacting his knee injury last week and today it's TJ Simers who has words for Curt Schilling. Schilling wrote a very interesting piece on Kobe after watching the L.A. guard courtside and Simers decided to calmly disagree. Just kidding, he called him a "jerk of all trades" and "gutless"....

Curt Schilling is gutless.

He sits courtside in Boston for Game 2, eavesdropping on the Lakers' bench -- and how would he like someone listening to what they have to say in the Red Sox dugout, and then makes it appear on his blog, "38 Pitches," that Kobe Bryant is some kind of jerk who berates his teammates.

But whatever, there's no bigger sissy than a hit-and-run blogger.

If Schilling has got something to write, let's see him come to Los Angeles, stand outside the Lakers' locker room and get cussed out by Vanessa Bryant like every other blogger. Talk about bloody socks.

He writes nice things about Kevin Garnett, which makes you wonder who gave him the courtside tickets, and also writes that he "saw a seven-footer (Pau Gasol) who grabbed like four rebounds and spent the entire game whining about getting fouled."

OK, so everything he wrote wasn't off base.

TJ doesn't really debate anything that Schilling says in the article and even agrees with what the pitcher said more than once. I agree that Kobe doesn't need any motivation (as evidenced by his work last night), but this article reads like a crappy defense of your best friend rather than a journalistic piece. Simers also said that L.A. should put LA Pitcher Jason Schmidt courtside for games. Huh?

I understand not liking Schilling but this whole piece was just a collection of opinions and random thoughts. Kinda like a blog about your favorite team and player! But a blogger would have called Schilling a "douchebag" TJ, not something weak like "jerk". You're getting close though.

I know Boston writers aren't the moral compass of journalists, but could you whine maybe just a little bit less L.A.?

Schilling reaffirms that he's a jerk-of-all-trades (LA Times)
Manny, JD, Papi, Lester and the NBA Finals (38 Pitches)