Where Amazing Happens

This new NBA commercial promoting "Big" and "Where Amazing Happens" predicts the future. The ad is truly amazing. Phil Jackson to the Knicks???? Derrick Rose scoring 70???? Kobe Bryant retiring??? It's so sick.

Welcome Back NBA

Finally the NBA is back! The 2013-2014 season tips off tonight at 7:00 with the Magic and the Pacers. Then at 8:00, the defending champions Heat will take on the Chicago Bulls with Derrick Rose back and better than ever. The epic "Bill and Jalen NBA Preview" series ended today with Bill's number one team as the Bulls. He picked them to win the title and overthrow King James' throne. Along with the over-looming Miami three-peat led by the King and a possible 5th MVP award in 6 years for Lebron, I'm looking forward to many other things in the season....

Zach Lowe's Columns

In my opinion, Zach Lowe is the basketball writing guru. He writes articles on Bill Simmons' blog and has appeared on many "B.S Reports". His writing is awesome and he has unbelievable basketball knowledge. Read his stuff at Grantland.com.

The Returns

Derrick Rose, Kobe Bryant, Russell Westbrook, and Rajon Rondo are coming off of devastating injuries from last year.

The T-Wolves

Rubio and Love. Awesome.

New Faces in New Places

Most notably Dwight Howard going from the Lakers to the Rockets to join Jeremy Lin and James Harden. Also, Josh Smith going to Detroit to complete the most menacing front court in the NBA of Andre Drummond, Greg Monroe, and Smith. How will they mesh? Also, Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans joining Eric Gordon on the NEW ORLEANS PELICANS!!!!!! How will they mesh? Also, the scary Brooklyn Nets with my boys Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. They're all of the sudden potential contenders in the East.

The 2013 Rookie Class

Cabrera to Accept Hank Aaron Award

Every year, every team in the MLB nominates one player from their team to be a nominee for the prestigious Hank Aaron Award. The Hank Aaron Award is given out to the 2 most outstanding offensive performers in baseball; one in the American League and one in the National League. Miguel Cabrera will be the AL recipient of the award and accept it during game 4 of the World Series according to a trustworthy source. The other winner is Paul Goldschmidt

Cabrera, who plays for the Detroit Tigers, has won the award one time before, in 2012. The recent winners of the prestigious trophy are in the picture below. (MLB.com) So congratulations Goldy and congratulations Mr. Cabrera, I'm sure you two are  very proud of this achievement but you wish you weren't playing golf in October.

Just How Clutch is Big Papi? - A Response to Albert Chen

In the eighth inning of game 2 of the ALCS against the Detroit Tigers, the Red Sox were trailing DET by 5 runs. Max Scherzer was nearly perfect after the Tigers' Anibal Sanchez was almost perfect in game 1. Sanchez had a no-hitter through the ninth and Scherzer threw 7 innings and let up 2 hits and 1 earned run. But when the Tigers' bullpen relieved the ace in game 2, all hell broke loose for Detroit. With a comfortable 5-1 lead, Jose Veras began pitching for Detroit in relief. I think we all know what happened from here. David Ortiz guessed on the first pitch he saw and sent right fielder Torii Hunter over the wall for the potential series-swinging grand slam to tie the game. Needless to say, I was screaming in joy and disbelief as this was happening. So just how clutch is Big Papi?



With the hit, Ortiz created yet another signature Boston Sports moment including a Boston Police Officer in the bullpen.[/caption]

With the grand slam in the eight, Big Papi climbed to second place on an exclusive list of players including Bernie Williams and Pete Rose with the most game-tying or go-ahead hits in the 8th inning or later in playoff history. Williams and Rose are tied for first with 6 hits with J.D Drew and David Ortiz tied for second with 5 apiece.

Prior to Ortiz' late-game heroics, Sports Illustrated's Albert Chen wrote a story in the weekly magazine titled, Clutch Much, with the Red Sox' David Ortiz as the background. The thesis of the article was about the "Clutch Gene" and if it exists or not. In the article, Chen writes from the analytical perspective, in which there is no such thing as being clutch. In his article, Chen says, "There's no denying that clutch hits exist -- but is there such a thing as a  clutch hitter? I believe there is, and in the sport of baseball, there's no hitter more clutch right now than David Ortiz.

Parquet Post 10-15-13

As the Red Sox battle the Tigers in Detroit in game 3 of the 2013 ALCS, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett are preparing to face their former teammates when they battle in the Barclays Center.  Granted it's the preseason, but the crowd is still going to be into this one. The most interesting part of this game will probably be pre-game when Garnett and Pierce shake hands with Bradley, Jeff Green, and Brandon Bass.

Although Kevin Garnett is not playing, the Nets will still probably run away with this one. Brooklyn has so much offensive firepower this year and I think they will be a real force in the East, but I doubt they stand a chance against Miami. It doesn't matter who wins this game tonight, it's the preseason. But, the reaction of the building is important because Paul Pierce and KG deserve some respect even though they left.

PREDICTED FINAL SCORE:

BKN: 103

BOS: 94

***IT JUST DOESN'T MATTER***

Rondo WILL Be Traded this Year

On their NBA preview series in which they rank every team in the NBA, Bill Simmons and Jalen Rose ranked the Boston Celtics #24 in the league. The video is very interesting and entertaining, with cool graphics and mini segments like "Champagning and Campaigning" with Jalen Rose and "The Clairvoyent Bill". Rose and Simmons agree and disagree about various things regarding the Celtics. Bill thinks that the Celtics will ship Rondo before the All-Star break and he will only play 30 games or less.

The Case Against T-MAC, C-WEBB, and VINCE

There's been a lot of talk around the basketball world about whether or not Chris Webber, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady should be inducted to the NBA Hall of Fame this year or ever. What do you think? I say no to all of them, and I have my opinion and statistics to prove it.

If you're a basketball fan from the 90's and early 2000's, you're probably screaming your head out at the computer screen. I know, I know, they were awesome to watch. Honestly, who hasn't seen Tracy McGrady go all Reggie Miller and score 13 points in 30 seconds.

Who is the Best Quarterback in the NFL?

This post was written before week three of the 2013 NFL season

Nowadays, there has been a ton of talk about what your team's QB should look like--Russell Wilson or Tom Brady? Andrew Luck or Peyton Manning? The NFL, which has progressively become a passing-dominated league, had 11 Quarterbacks throw for over 4,000 yards in 2012, an unthinkable statistic. How do you measure a QB's value to a team, because now some passers get it done with their legs too. Statistically, you could make the argument that Russell Wilson, Colin Kaepernick, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Robert Griffin III was the best Quarterback in the NFL last year. Judging by QBR, a pretty good football saber metric, Peyton Manning was the best with Tom Brady and Matt Ryan at 2nd and 3rd. MATT RYAN?????

Your Survival Guide to Basic Sabermetrics in Baseball

Ever since "Money Ball", the award-winning movie that showed in theaters in 2011 starring Brad Pitt, sabermetrics have been a hot topic in the realm of baseball. You can find sabermetrics everywhere, even in Williamsport, PA at the Little League World Series!

Sabermetrics have revolutionized the sport and helped baseball teams form their club and decide which players they should carry on their roster. But what even is sabermetrics?

Best Red Sox-Yankees Moments of the 21st Century

After an awesome regular-season game that was played on Sunday night between the Red Sox and Yankees, the rivalry was renewed once again. I decided to compile the best moments of the New York/Boston rivalry in the time that I have been alive for. Basically the 21st Century, so I'm disregarding the whole Babe Ruth fiasco. Here it is, in chronological order.




Pedro Martinez’s noble outing in the 2003 ALCS proves to be not enough. The coaching staff regrettably kept him in for too long.


Jorge Posada is pumped after he ties the game with his double. 

Pedro Martinez takes down New York coach Don Zimmer in a brawl during the 2003 ALCS.


Aaron Boone rips Boston's hearts out as he hits a walk off home run in game 7 of the 2003 ALCS against the Red Sox.

[
Derek Jeter lays out for a foul ball against the Red Sox in a regular season game.


A Boston fan cheers on his team as the Red Sox "Cowboy Up" in 2004


Mike Lowell breaks up a double play by tackling infielder Robinson Cano[/caption]


A-Rod intentionally slaps the ball out of the glove of the Boston Pitcher. Like a girl.


A-Rod and Jason Varitek fight in a bench clearing brawl during the 2004 ALCS


Curt Schilling's "Bloody Sock" game in the 2004 ALCS against the NY Yankees was one of the most memorable moments in the rivalry. He pitched in game 6 of the ALCS with a badly injured ankle. He won the game and forced a game 7. Boston won game 7 and completed the greatest comeback in sports history.


Big Papi hits one of his many walk off home-runs against the Yankees. This one in the 2004 ALCS

Dave Roberts pinch runs in game 7 of the 2004 ALCS. The world knows that he's stealing. He goes and he's..... Safe! He eventually scores the winning run that sends the Red Sox into the World Series.


Capping the "Greatest Comeback Ever"


The Red Sox 'band of idiots' celebrate after they win their first World Series in 86 years . They beat the St. Louis Cardinals in 2004.


Manny being Manny after the 2004 World Series victory


Boston Pitcher Ryan Dempster hits the hated Alex Rodriguez on purpose in a regular season game that has high stakes in 2013.

If you are a Red Sox or Yankee fan and you read this blog post and you didn't get the chills, there is something wrong with you. I'm a Red Sox fan and every time that I think about 2004, I can't stop smiling. Go Red Sox!

This post was written before the 2013 MLB Playoffs. David Ortiz's grand slam in game two of the ALCS and his unbelievable World Series would definitely make this list.

What Will the Celtics do with Doc, KG, Pierce?

This is a pretty weird situation that the Celtics are in right now. After the loss to the New York Knicks in the NBA Playoffs, Danny Ainge, the GM of the Celtics assured that head coach Doc Rivers would return for another season. But Doc, one of the most respected coaches, didn't comment.

Now, in mid June, it's apparent that Doc wants to go coach Blake Griffen and the Los Angeles Clippers instead of rebuilding an old Celtics team that will probably win 30-45 games next season. But what will the Celtics get for Doc? Are they going to trade KG with Doc in a package like the rumors say. In my mind, there are two things that can happen:

Situation 1: The Boring One

The Celtics will keep the legacy of Pierce and KG and try to get to the playoffs together for one more year. It seems like Doc has crossed the line with the Celtics' management so I can't see Doc returning as a coach. If I had to bet on it, he will either coach the Clippers or take a year off and instantly become a great announcer. KG and Pierce will try to get along with Rondo and see where they can go from there. That's pretty boring. Until KG and Pierce retire after that season and the Celtics win 50 games and get bounced in the first round of the playoffs.

Situation 2: The Best Scenario

In this situation, many things can happen, but it's unclear how many and which ones will. First, the Celtics will trade the Clippers KG, Doc Rivers, Jason Terry, and Courtney Lee for Deandre Jordan, Vinny Del Negro, Eric Bledsoe, and Willie Green. That trade works for both teams and could potentially benefit both teams. The only bad part about that trade for the Celtics is that they have to have one of my least favorite coaches; Vinny Del Negro. In all of his Clippers coaching years, VDN has had no set defense and no offensive plays besides, "Chris Paul, go do something.". I don't want that guy coaching my team. Also, there is a minor lack of shooting in that lineup.

Then, in mid January, when Pierce feels deserted and depressed, he hasn't even played himself into shape besides it being a contract year for him, Ainge shops him and Eric Bledsoe for Josh Smith and Kyle Korver. This trade works because Boston will want to get rid of either Bledsoe or Bradley because they're pretty much identical players. Josh Smith and the Celtics have been in every possible trade combination since 2006/2007 when Ainge wanted to trade Pierce. Getting Korver would solve the lack of shooting and suddenly, the Celtics have a surprisingly sexy lineup! Their roster would be young and include Rondo, Jeff Green, Avery Bradley, Kyle Korver, Deandre Jordan, and Josh Smith.



Whatever happens, it will be very tough to let go either KG, Pierce, or even Doc. Those guys are icons and they are treated like gods in Boston. Especially Pierce. But I think at this point, it's inevitable: Goodbye Pierce, Doc, or Kevin Garnett.

Top 10 ESPN 30 for 30 Shorts

In 2008, ESPN employee, Bill Simmons pitched the idea of making a strand of documentaries in honor of ESPN's 30th anniversary. ESPN and has been working on documentaries called "30 for 30", produced by professional directors since 2009, and they have been so successful, ESPN still makes new ones in 2013. Since 2012, they have incorporated short documentaries to go along with the long ones. These shorts are (not surprisingly) called "ESPN 30 for 30 Shorts. Because there are just simply too many good 30 for 30 full length movies, here is the top nine shorts that YOU must see if you're a sports fan. (There are only nine)

#10: THE IRRELEVANT GIANT

#9: THE ARNOLD PALMER

Bill Simmons is NOT A Bad Guy

Yesterday, while Bill Simmons was talking with Joe House and Jalen Rose on the weekly podcast called The B.S. Report, Bill had said some interesting things about Memphis. Just to get this clear, Bill Simmons is getting all the bad publicity right now, even though he shouldn't.

The podcast, which I was actually listening to (like I always do) was just a normal podcast in which Bill was discussing the NBA Playoffs with Jalen and Joe. Because Jalen and Bill are on the NBA countdown crew, they were in Memphis to cover the Western Conference Finals. For almost the whole show, Jalen and Bill were raving about how amazing the city was and how pleasantly surprised they were by it. They loved the food, the geography, the feel, and especially the nice people. But the part that got everyone talking about is the history aspect of Memphis. In fact, Jalen Rose ranked Memphis #1 on his "Black Guy Best City Power Rankings", so you know that Bill and Jalen have immense respect for the wonderful city of Memphis.

Bill and Jalen had gone to the Lorraine Hotel in their 4 day stay in Memphis. They said it was a great experience. Bill Simmons is a sports analyst, sports-caster, and sports writer. His job is to talk about sports and to relate or connect anything that he's talking about back to sports;  whether it's Game of Thrones, Football, Life, or even Martin Luther King Jr. and his impact on the city of Memphis and their sports.

"I didn’t realize the effect [the King assassination] had on that city. [...] I think from people we talk to and stuff we’ve read, the shooting kind of sets the tone for how the city thinks about stuff. We were at Game 3. Great crowd, they fall behind and the whole crowd got tense. It as like, ‘Oh no, something bad is going to happen.’ And it starts from that shooting and it’s just that mind-set they have."

Throughout the whole podcast, and in most of his podcasts, Bill jokes about his "Don't get fired" rants. He says "This is one of those don't get fired moments" around 10 times in Wednesday's podcast, so I think he knew what he was getting into or what he was started. I'm sure he didn't know how blown up it would get though...

It doesn't matter how ridiculous this quote might be, he's just trying to do his job and entertain the guys (or girls) listening. Nobody's view should change of Bill Simmons by this tiny quote, especially if you have heard some of his other podcasts, which are sensationally entertaining. Plus, it's not even like he hasn't done anything like this before.

Bill Simmons fought publicly with his company over his podcast in May of 2008. After that interview, there has been a disclaimer at the beginning of each of his podcasts: "The B.S report is a free-flowing conversation that occasionally touches on mature subjects". He hasn't exactly feuded with ESPN since then, but you can tell by listening that he is not perfectly happy with management there. Hopefully this podcast wasn't a "Don't get fired" moment because he's my favorite sports writer, caster, etc. and I wouldn't stand not seeing him on NBA countdown every day.

What should the Cavs do with the Number 1 Pick?

On Wednesday, the Cleveland Cavaliers won the first pick of the 2014 NBA draft in the lottery. The Cavs had the third worst record in the NBA, so the odds weren't exactly in their favor. Nick Gilbert, the son of Dan Gilbert (the owner of the Cavs) has been at the podium for the Cavaliers for the past three draft lotteries. In those three years, Cleveland has drawn the first overall pick twice. That's probably not because Nick is lucky, but because of all the good karma that Cleveland basketball has from Lebron leaving the way he did. Nick and Dan swear that this will be the last time that that the Cavs will be in the lottery for a long time. It doesn't matter why or how they got the first pick this year, the important thing is; they got it. But what will they do with it?

This is a very interesting situation because it's potentially a "no loss" scenario. The worst situation I can think of is:

The Cavs pick Nerlens Noel out of Kentucky with the first pick of the draft. Noel goes all Greg Oden and blows out his knee again. (Plausible). He later tries to make a comeback, but he's never the same player. The Cavs tank the season and get a top 5 pick in the 2015 loaded draft class that is full of future all-stars.

If I were Kyrie Irving, the obvious face of the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise I would seriously be talking to management about possibly moving the number one pick to either Portland or Minnesota.

Both those teams are rumored to be offering their star players (Kevin Love for  Minnesota and Aldridge from Portland). Especially if the Cavs were able to bring in Love and "bring the band back together", I would be ecstatic if I were Irving.

If that were to happen, the Cavs would immediately be a threat in the East to challenge the Miami Heat. The Cavaliers would be the most intriguing team in the NBA, with the obvious awesome chemistry of Irving and Love, the rebounding combination of Anderson Varejao and K-Love, and emerging young stars like Dion Waiters.

All in all, the Cavaliers are lucky to be in one of the best draft situations in the history of the NBA. They really can't go wrong! But they definitely go right if they make a move to get Kevin Love and bring the band back together and show the "young bloods" how to play basketball and win championships.....

The Forgotten Gem

Think of the best pitching performance you have ever seen or heard about in professional baseball. I bet names like Cy Young, Randy Johnson, Sandy Koufax, Pedro Martinez, Don Larsen, Curt Schilling, Roger Clemens, Matt Cain, and Felix Hernandez come to your mind. But does the name Harvey Haddix mean anything to you?

Harvey Haddix, the ace pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the  late 1950's and early 1960's, pitched the greatest game in MLB history in 1959. You may not remember him because it was so long ago, it wasn't a perfect game, it wasn't a no-hitter, and he didn't even get the win.

So how on earth was that the best pitching performance ever?? Well, Haddix pitched a perfect game through 12 innings! It was not until the 13th inning when the perfection ended on an error.

After a sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk to (who else but) Hank Aaron, Joe Adcock hit what would be a walk-off 3 run homer. coincidentally, Joe Adcock passed Hank Aaron in his homerun trot so the Milwaukee Brewers were only credited with one run.

Since 1880, there have been 23 perfect games. But none of them were as great as Harvey Haddix's one-hitter.

Harvey Haddix's stat line went something like this: 12 2/3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO

The final score was 1-0. The Pirates lost. Despite the loss, Harvey Haddix still pitched the greatest game in MLB history. So remember the name, Harvey Haddix, and think of him when you're thinking about the best pitching performances ever.

Goodbye "The Office"

Based on the British comedy, "The Office" debuted in 2005 as an unknown sitcom on NBC with no-name actors and low-profile writers. Four Emmy awards and eight years later, it's just the opposite. Even after Steve Carell, aka Michael Scott departed the show two seasons ago, the cast of actors is still filled with stars that have appeared in movies and other TV shows since 2005. Most notably, Ed Helms, aka Andy Bernard, who has appeared in numerous movies including both "Hangover" and "Hangover Part II". But how did this show become so famous in between the years of 2005 and 2013? The writers.

Mindy Kaling and B.J. Novak, who have also acted in the show as employers in the local Scranton, NJ office, wrote the hit sitcom for 7 seasons each. Mindy Kaling, who now has her own book and TV show, "The Mindy Project" was especially comical in acting and writing.  Why do I bring up the writers exactly? Because I commend them incredibly because after the boss, Michael Scott left for his love in Colorado, there have been no interesting storylines to run with. They single-handedly kept the mockumentary alive through the years. Yet, the show has still been pretty entertaining. Even if the show is still funny, it's about half as good as when it was two years ago when Steve Carell was the lead actor. This revolutionary show should have ended two years ago when he left; it would have been the perfect ending to a perfect comedy show.

But it ends tonight. Two mediocre seasons after it should have. Even though these two previous seasons have been disappointing, this series finale is probably going to great. If you stopped watching when Michael left, you haven't really missed much:

• Jim and Pam have been feuding about their relationship and Jim's job in Philadelphia. But they are happy now


• Dwight is finally at the helm of the office after Andy quit. Dwight is now set to marry Angela who has a baby. Dwight is the father.


• Andy quit his job as the boss to go sing at an Acapella singing contest similar to "American Idol". He was terrible.


• The final documentary that has been "The Office" was airing on PBS at the end of the last episode.

So after eight seasons, "The Office" is up there in the ranks of all-time NBC sitcoms with "Seinfeld", "Cheers", and "Friends"... It possibly may even be the best. What will you remember most about "The Office"? I will remember the incredible main characters that were developed over the years like Michael, Jim, Pam, Dwight, and Andy. But maybe even more, I will remember the amazingly hilarious background characters like Stanley, Creed, Kevin, Angela, Phyllis, Oscar, Toby, and Darryl. They are like the role players that every great basketball team seems to have. That's really what distinguished "The Office" from other shows; no other sitcom will ever replicate the amount of quality characters and role players that were created in "Office".

After tonight, NBC plans to replace "The Office" with a show called, "Sean Saves the World" which from what I have heard, sounds pretty awful; that's such a shame.

So even if we forget all of the character's names, where the office was, who was dating who, or even the writers who kept the show alive in times of need, we will never, ever (even in 40 years) that the light-hearted comedy always made us smile and laugh at the television when the opening theme jingle comes on.

"I want to be part of history"

After being asked about the Celtics chances in their series against the New York Knicks, Celtics coach, Doc Rivers says, "I want to be part of history."

No team ever in the NBA has come back from a 3-0 playoff deficit. The last time that happened in any major sport was (who else)the 2004 Boston Red Sox. Those bunch of idiots beat the Yankees four games in a row and later went on to win the world series. Cowboy Up!

"Don't let us win tonight. This is a big game. They've got to win because if we win we've got Petie coming back today and then Schilling will pitch Game 6 and then you can take that fraud stuff and put it to bed. Don't let the Sox win this game." Those were the words of leader Kevin Millar after the 3-0 deficit for the Red Sox.

Apparently, Doc Rivers repeated Millar's quote before the game to his team. There are no better teams to come back from insurmountable leads than the Boston teams, especially the Celtics. If the Celtics lose this series, the "Big Three" era will likely end. KG will probably foul and Pierce is almost done, but he will do everything he can to retire as a Celtic.
Hopefully we get to see a few more KG/Pierce game because they are historic.

Celtics Game 2 vs Knicks

Tonight is definitely a must-win for the Celtics. To be honest, if they don't win, they will need to win all three at home (unlikely) and win a game 6 or 7 in MSG which is almost impossible. Game 1 wasn't a must win, but I really wish they stole it.

The single most reason why the Celtics didn't win game 1 is because they died out in the 4th quarter. They just got tired. So who is to blame? Doc Rivers. He has to make better subs in the 2nd and 3rd quarters to preserve the Pierce/Garnett combo for the 4th quarter. That's all Doc's fault. Also, I think the Celtics really missed Ray Allen last night as much as I hate to say it. He could have easily given them 15 points and hit a couple threes to silence the roaring crowd that sounded like 10,000 college kids hyped up on beer, red bull, and mountain dew.

The Celtics will win game 2 because:

• The bench won't go 0-7


• Jason Terry will play better and hopefully make a clutch shot down the stretch


• Pierce will have a MUCH better and efficient shooting night


• KG will hopefully get out of his sudden funk and own Kenyon Martin


• KG and The Truth know how important this game is and they will play it like it's a game 7.


• Melo will be flustered by the Celtics' all around defense on him when he's in a isolation situation.


• Jason Kidd simply won't be as good as he was in the 4th quarter last game.

This game is definitely going to be a nail biter and it has the potential to be very entertaining to watch, even more than the new "Office that airs tonight. I want to see KG try to get in Melo's head a little bit more than the 1st game. We'll see!

FINAL SCORE: BOS:91 NYK: 89

A Great American Sports Moment

Rene Rancourt, a fantastic American singer, has sung the national anthem over 200 times for the Boston Bruins. He has started and finished the anthem every time. But this time, he knew he wouldn't be able to finish. Rancourt always practices the national anthem in the bathroom before every one of his performances. But that night, he couldn't even finish his practice session in the bathroom; he was too choked up.

Wednesday, the Boston Bruins played the Buffalo Sabres in a regular season emotional hockey match in which the Bruins ended up clinching a playoff spot, but losing in a shootout. It doesn't matter that they lost because to Boston, it was more than a hockey game. Wednesday night was the first time that thousands of Bostonians gathered together under one roof since the terrible bombing at the finish line of the Boston marathon. And what happened before the game was just overwhelmingly emotional, patriotic, and amazing act of unity and togetherness. For the 5 minutes before the game, when Rene Rancourt began to sing, everyone in the stands forgot about the color of each other's skins, forgot about everyone else's fault, stopped judging everyone and realized that everyone in the stands has so much in common. They sang with passion and gusto. It was one of the greatest moments in all of Boston Sports history.

Boston has never really had to deal with something as bad as this, but Boston is strong, and Boston will never give up and we will never be broken. The people of Boston believe that they are the centerpiece of America, and that's why we get so much crap from everyone, but Bostonians really come together in times of need and prove that they are a great city and they are just as important as anyone else when it comes to the making of our great country.

On Wednesday night, we realized that Boston is brave.... Boston is admirable.... Boston is together..... Boston is Strong.

Western Conference Playoff Predictions

Using the "Danny Emerman NBA Playoff Theory", which you can find in one of my previous posts, I will predict the first round games of the Western Conference NBA Playoffs....

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets

This is my favorite matchup of the whole playoffs because James Harden has so much to prove to his former team. This series is the ultimate "F-U" round for Harden because he wants payback and he wants it bad. The Rockets can score with ease and I think they will challenge OKC. But in the end, the Thunder will be too much to handle.

OKC THUNDER WIN IN 6 GAMES

San Antonio Spurs vs Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers are the most talked about 7 seed ever. By far. I think they are a very good team, even without Kobe Bryant. This series is all about health and injuries. If the Spurs get healthy and somehow stay healthy, they shouldn't have a problem handling the Lakers in at most 6 games. But, I don't think that they will stay healthy. Ginobili and Parker are just too banged up and I think that the Lakers will outlast the Spurs and pull out the upset...

LA LAKERS WIN IN 7 GAMES

Denver Nuggets vs Golden State Warriors

Even without Danilo Galinari, the Nuggets are still the superior team. Stephen Curry will have two or three ridiculous games, but those are the only games that the Warriors have a chance in.

DENVER NUGGETS WIN IN 5 GAMES

Memphis Grizzlies vs Los Angeles Clippers

This is an intriguing matchup because of how these teams have played each other in the regular season. I personally have not jumped on the Clippers bandwagon and I don't think they have an even above average half court offense so I don't think they will win this series. The Grizzlies are a much more physical team that rebounds and does all of the fundamentals right. That's a recipe for success. Tony Allen will shut down whoever he's guarding and that will really hurt the Clippers.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES WIN IN 6 GAMES

That's it for the first round of the western conference finals! We'll see what happens. Tune in for the eastern conference which will be posted before Saturday. If you disagree with any of my points or picks, please feel free to email me at dannyemerman@hotmail.com. Thank you!