February 1, 2011

It's not about the money, as long as I get all the money

Carmelo Anthony had the following to say to ESPN's Chris Sheridan:
"If I sit here and say I'm willing to lose 15 or 20 million dollars, I'd be lying to you," Anthony said. "But at the same time this has never been about money. In my career so far I think I've made enough money. Now I'm focused on trying to win a championship. That's the only thing that's on my plate and on my mind right now."
This 'Melodrama is starting to approach Lebron "The Decision" status. Can athletes stop saying it's nbot about the money when it completely is? There's nothing wrong with it. Owners are all about the money too. But would 'Melo rather get paid 100 million and win a championship or get paid 115 million, but not win a title? That's the question and his answer is neither.

He wants to win, he want to be in New York, and he wants every possible dime he can get. Stop saying its not about the money. If it wasn't, you'd just play out the season and sign with the Knicks. Stop saying its about winning or you'd accept a trade to a better team. Look your going to bully the Nuggets into trading you to the Knicks and you'll get your full boat max contract. So just shut up until then. And at least wait a year until you start whining about how the Knicks aren't giving you and A'mare enough of a supporting cast to win please.

Admitting I Was Wrong About Ray Allen

Yeah, I admit it.  I was totally wrong.  100% mistaken.  But it hasn't been the first time.  And it won't be the last.

When the Celtics drafted Junior Burrough I was convinced #5 would be raised to the rafters in Boston one day.  When Paul Pierce was in college, I thought he'd be the next Scotty Thurman.  So last year when I was adamant about the Celtics needing to trade Ray Allen for Caron Butler, I can safely announce I was totally incorrect again.

Ray Allen has been incredible this season.  It's been the most efficient shooting season of his illustrious NBA career.  And when the reserves are announced Thursday night for the NBA All Star Teams it will be a travesty if he's not included (along with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo).  Doc Rivers has consistently said since they acquired Ray that he had to make the most sacrifices of the Big 3.  More times than not, Ray is standing on the other side of the floor while either Rondo or Pierce is operating with the ball.  However he'll be the last person to complain about touches.

Fiddlin' and Diddlin' - Daily Links 2/1

Celtics Finish Western Swing with the Kings

  at 
Boston Celtics (36-11) at Sacramento Kings (12-33)
Tuesday, February 1
10:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game #48, Road Game #23
TV:  CSNNE, CSNCA, TheScore,  NBA-LP 754/755
Radio:  WEEI, KHTK
Arco Arena 
Referees:  Bennett Salvatore,  Eli Roe,  Gary Zielinski 

This is the second meeting between these two teams this season.  The Celtics won the game in Boston 119-95 but the Kings didn't have their talented second year guard, Tyreke Evans in that one.   The Kings have been playing very well in recent games, winning 3 of their last 4 games.  All 3 wins were against playoff teams. 

They play teams tough.  In 28 of their games they have had a lead or were tied in the 4th quarter.  It appears that they are learning how to finish in these recent wins.   It would be a huge mistake to take this team for granted based on their record.  The Lakers, Hornets and Blazers found that out the hard way. 

The Celtics are 2-1 right now on this road trip.  They are coming off a big win over the Lakers and it would be easy to have a let down against a team with a 12-33 record.  But, since a win against the Lakers counts the same in the standings as a win against the Kings, losing this game undoes the good play on Sunday.  The Celtics are just 2.5 games ahead of the Heat in the standings after their loss to the Suns.  They have to take every game seriously if they want to have HCA throughout the playoffs. 

This is a very winnable game if they come out with the focus and intensity that they did against the Lakers. But if they play like they did vs the Suns, they will end the road trip 2-2 instead of 3-1 and that would be a shame after the big win over the Lakers.   Great teams bring it every night.  This team is great and it's time they prove it! 

Another new KG shoe

Pierce Wants to Defend 3 Point Crown vs Ray

So Pierce has put out the challenge via twitter. Let's see what the NBA does and if Ray is interested. The League has been fumbling and bumbling with the All Star Weekend the last several years, so watch them invite some no name like Gary Neal instead. On a side note, who's dumb idea was it to make the dunk contest only 4 players deep? But back to the topic at hand, who is more likely to win in a shootout: Pierce, the defending champ with his more set-shot like 3's or Ray with his jump shooting style?