THE ELEMENT OF DOUBT JUNE 8, 2010

Sunday night the Celtics introduced the element of doubt in the minds of the LaLa Lakers. The doubt that the Lakers may not be better than the Celtics team. The doubt that they could lose the Championship to the Celtics. That doubt is now buried deep in those Laker heads like that earwig in Thriller. No matter how they try to shake it, that gnawing of the mind will just keep eating at them.

The LaLas aren’t used to losing at home. This squad had not lost on their home court once during the playoffs. That streak is over. So too is that one about Phil Jackson teams being 47-0 in 2^nd games after a win in Game #1.

The Celtics have seized home court. With three games in Boston, Gang Green could take out the Lakers. That would be a tall task as LA has some players.

However the most important player on the court Sunday night was Rajon Rondo, who had one of the most amazing games I’ve ever seen. He would swoop in for a rebound and be heading the other way leaving Lakers in his wake. It was seeing Rondo use an assortment of shots to score 10 points in the 4^th Quarter. It was Rondo, officially listed as 6’1”, who somehow snared 12 rebounds (4 on the offensive glass) against a team of 7’footers (well 2 plus Odom 6’10” and 6’8” Kobe-wan).

Oh and Rondo managed a great game highlighted by his finding Ray Allen open time and again with Allen scorching the LaLas for 8 of 11 threes and 32 big ones. Some people wanted to trade Ray Allen when he was in that regular season shooting slump. Allen just set a Finals playoff record for most 3’s made in a half (7) and most in a game (8). Not too shabby.

The Celtics won Sunday night despite not getting much offense from Paul Pierce (10) and Kevin Garnett (6). You think that’s going to happen in Boston? I doubt it.

Admittedly Kobe was in foul trouble in Game #2. However I also noticed that he still managed to play 34 minutes.

The Green made the Lakers sick by out rebounding them 44 to 39. Big Baby and Rashid each played 18 minutes and both had 7 rebounds. And 8 and 7 points respectively. Celtics fans will take that every game.

The Celtics have the right team elements and ‘Doc’ Rivers isn’t afraid to use them. Witness the important blow allowed Rajon Rondo by Nate Robinson who was in only 6 minutes but had 7 points. And most importantly Nate got Rondo some rest while running the team without any hiccups.

PUT SOME SOUTH IN YOUR MOUTH

Game #3 is tonight. May the best team win. Go Celtics!

BULLETS

• This is a little old, but it amused me. John Lackey was being interviewed after the Sox had swept the Rays at Tropicana Field. You couldn’t hear the question asked of Lackey but he replied “That’s negative. We just swept them.” I loved it.

• The World Cup starts Friday. I don’t know about you, but I’ll be watching. The US faces England Saturday at 2:30. Only the NY Times did a World Cup preview Sunday.

• Per Fluto Shinzawa/Globe – 6/6: Tyler Seguin is a rare commodity – a right shot center.

• Over the weekend, Pawtucket’s Lars Anderson hit a 2-run homer to tie a game in Louisville, and newcomer Ryan Kalish won it in the 14^th with a HR. A few days later Kalish made a base running gaffe (Anderson stopped at 3^rd) which contributed to a loss.

• Felix Doubront won his first game for Pawtucket since being promoted from Portland. Felix bested Cuban sensation Aroldis Chapman. Young Sea Dog Casey Kelly won his first game for Portland. Kelly shut out Reading for 6 innings (4 hits, 1 walk, 4 Ks), and he is now 1-3 with a 4.57 ERA.

• Did not watch much of the MLB draft, but the Red Sox got their man in RHP Anthony Ranaudo from LSU with their 3^rd pick in the draft. If healthy, Ranaudo is a steal.

• That catch Mike Cameron made Sunday was one of the best I’ve ever seen.

• Stats from Chuck Waseleski (Globe – 6/6): Boston starters have the worst ERA in the AL (5.22), but are 3^rd in road ERA (3.92). David Ortiz leads the Red Sox with 14 game-tying or go-ahead RBI, and is 9 for 20 since May 1 with the tying or go-ahead run on.

E-MAIL

Back in the day, Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line” was frequently sung in chorus at the Hot Club.

The singing was led by Marilyn Salvatore and Mike McCue (spelling?) with Smurf and me and others joining in.

Most of the characters in your “Ring of Fire” note were not around back then. None were regulars.

The Wizard

The power of music - Johnny Cash brings together a diverse group of reprobates who sing their hearts out. - Z

Hi Jim

Regarding the recent Zine and the CMGI manhole covers, I remember seeing the stadium logo (the unusual one with the lighthouse and the blue bridge next to it, similar to the logo they always paint on the field but most people don’t know what it represents) on some of the sewer covers and I think they may have said “CMGI Field” but I’m a bit fuzzy about the details.  However, we did go to the opening Pats exhibition game when we sat in section 325.  The CMGI logo was still on all the signage including the ramps, restrooms, seats and directional signs.  All the signs were replaced for the grand opening when we played the Steelers on the first regular season game at Gillette.  By the way, does anyone still call it “The Razor?”

Driller Killer

Thanks Driller for the stroll down Memory Lane to CMGI Field. - Z

Sportzine is also available at jimdawsonsports.com (Thanks Buffalo Steve)