Of eras and seats, movie and soaps. We've got it all

Sometime in our dotage, we’ll be sitting around before a dinner, nibbling on Gouda and sipping on a robust red, and we’ll harken back to last night as the end of an era, I’m sure.

A short era – four years is hardly a Ming Dynasty – but for all the talk about the Celtics wanting to come back and take one more run, with Doc Rivers surprising many with his unequivocal (for now) desire to return, that team in that form has to be done.

It was amazing, and in some parts sad, to watch them fumble and stumble down the stretch of the last two games, throwing the ball away, missing shots, giving up easy ones and looking like a team that had never been there before rather than one with a championship to its credit and another appearance in the final under its belt.

Give the Heat full credit for performing when it most mattered, that finish by LeBron last night was one for ages, just as Dwyane Wade’s first half was.

But that series was as much about Boston as it was Miami and it was stunning how poorly they finished. I don’t know if it was solely age catching up to them, or Rondo being a shadow of himself or their lack of depth finally being an issue but from the time they started playing Game 1, I don’t think there were many who felt secure that the Celtics had what it would take. Turned out they didn’t.

Now, I can see them having another good regular season – those veterans know how to play and Doc knows how to get the most out of them over the long grind – but as legitimate title contenders? Unless they find some youth and big men and athleticism, they are going to go farther downhill more quickly.

I would think that what has transpired since 2007 will have been worth it to the team’s fans and the franchise’s bottom line but I wonder how people will feel if a championship drought kicks in.

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Know what made me laugh?

When I was listening to the live steam of the post-game stuff from Miami and I heard Chris lauding the fans for being great and thanking the city for being into the game.

Hope he wasn’t addressing the many, many empty seats we all saw at the start.

I know they mostly got filled and the audience was loud in the final couple of minutes but I guarantee that nowhere else – okay, perhaps Atlanta – would fans be that late getting to games.

Not sure how many of you remember or experienced, but there’s a greater “buzz” around an arena in the minute leading up to a basketball playoff game than there is for almost any other court.

It’s probably the size of the playing surface and proximity of the fans who stand around and watch warm-ups but it’s just more exciting than, say, hockey or baseball, the two other sports I have first-hand experience at.

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Okay, confession time, don’t tell anyone.

Was glancing at the front page of our website sometime yesterday afternoon and in he “must reads” part this story about the daytime Emmys was featured prominently.

Now, these days my white-noise-afternoon-TV tends to focus on Criminal Minds (highly recommended) and CSI (highly over-acted in the Miami end of things) but there was a day way back in another universe that …

Well, let’s just say I wonder if the Dastardly and Dysfunctional Quartermains are still around and I don’t know that Kate and whatshisname have much on Luke and Laura when it comes to weddings.

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So, they did the all-rookie teams yesterday (the official release is here) and I guess the coaches got it right.

I do know this, though: Ed Davis will use it for fuel someone.

He’s always been about the snub, somehow driven by slights real and perceived, and I bet when he gets wind of the fact he was left off even the second team, it’ll make that day’s workout just a little bit more intense.

Can’t imagine it’ll mean much once the season starts but it’ll bug him now.

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Okay, if this works and you see what you want me to see, I’ve made giant strides figuring out this interweb thingy and who knows where we go from here.

I don’t do a lot of movies, this one I probably will.

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Here’s one from the mail:

Q: Hi Dent is oug. Some high finance here. Just wanted to ask: when a team suspends a player, I assume it's to their discretion whether it is with or without pay, and in that case they would likely pocket the money (there's a whole rant here about why they don't suspend players like Alonzo Mourning who refuse to show up... but that's for another mail). But what happens when the league suspends a player? I know that fines go towards charity, but will Bynum's close to $700K that he will forego in salary be "savings” for the Lake-show or does it get paid out to the same league charity fund?

Cheers!

David T, Ottawa

A: Oh, no. The Lakers still have to fork out the money (it, like all fine money goes into a pot for charity administered by the league and the union) and it counts against all cap and tax calculations. They just write a cheque to a different spot.

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Oh yeah, night off tonight; there are other pursuits to be taken care of here. Not sure about tomorrow, think that might be dead, too, but we’re on board for most, if not all, of the Eastern Conference final since I think I may actually be live in arenas.

Have a nice peaceful evening.

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Is that it for the Grizzlies, who gave us a pretty good story for a round and a couple of games? (And, yes, the eyes were open for the entirety, although no real reason they were).

I think so.

I know they were tired after the triple-overtime Game 4 and they didn’t get the boost of energy from the home crowd that the Thunder did but I think we’re seeing what we thought all along: The team with the better talent is going to win.

I like the Thunder a lot, they defend, they’re great in transition, Kevin Durant can score in myriad ways if Russell Westbrook remembers he’s on the same team and I’m not sure even the Memphis crowd can make a difference on Friday night.

Zach Randolph (and I believe they stopped construction of the statue they were going to put up next to Elvis’s) looked old and beaten down last night, Marc Gasol was lumbering and labouring and I believe that one’s over.

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RIP Robert Traylor.

Never knew him but people I know who did spoke well of him and no one should die at such a young age.

I guess the threat of heart issues goes hand-in-hand with the sheer enormity of these men and those who tend to let the weight go late in their careers or after they’re done would seemingly be more susceptible and it’s a very sad tale we hear too often.

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Comments

[Dave T (Ottawa)]

Did I write "Dent is oug"??? Yikes. I need an proof-reader. Teams probably get a decent tax break on the $700K going to a charity, so it sounds like a good cause AND a good business move. Cheers.

[Mike]

What do you know, bang on with the pre-game prediction of Heat by 10, you're a genius. Btw, this story on Brian Shaw was quite touching, don't know if you had a chance to take a look: http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/columns/story?id=6516923

[John Millett]

The Celtics took a risk by trading Cedric Perkins and really missed his rebounding and defence in the playoffs and he looks out of sync for the Thunder.

[joeu]

With the Celtics, it's interesting that the decline of a key player (KG) seems to have changed the roles of others ( Ray Allen, Glenn Davis, Paul Pierce ) just enough that those players seem so much less effective, and to have lost their cohesiveness.

[jc]

Hey Doug,
you are right on in calling it a "short era" if it even was an "era" at all. An "era" would seem to imply a prelude, a time of success and a resolution. This Celtic team was created from thin air in 2007, went on to win a championship and now looks to be ready for a remake just a few years later. The only thing that should keep them from being a blip in the history of the nba, is the fact that they may have inspired another team to do the same thing and that team may be around for a bit....(a biased comment from a grumpy Toronto fan).
I must also agree with your RIP...however briefly, he entertained a lot of fans. I suspect this is going to be more and more of a trend as we as fans pay to see extremes of the human physique that nature may not have intended.

[Nick M]

That first place vote for Omar Asik (Bulls) must be the Swirsk's!!!
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Shaq doesn't play... What possible injury could he have sustained in Game 4?... Is 3 minutes and change enough time to bruise an ego?

[Lorie]

Good Morning, Doug!
What is this I hear about a new league - The National Basketball League of Canada? And somehow Sam Mitchell is involved??? Will you be giving us some info about this later? And Luke and Laura? Do you remember that the one and only Liz Taylor was there playing a Cassadine widow and put a curse on their nuptials? But was that really necessary? Being a soap opera marriage it was sort of doomed from the start anyway. Fun fact: 30 million people watched it. I was one and remember the bride wore white and the groom a mullet. Ahhh...the '80s.

[Wallace]

Boy, that was a lot of fist pumping, mugging, genuflecting, hugging and screaming for winning a conference semi-final. I don't think I want to be watching when Miami wins a championship....but David Stern will be, and I guess that's what's really important in the NBA world.

[J]

Love that the Nash video started off with Owen Wilson.

[L Graham Smith]

looking at those all-rookie teams, why did they bother to play the season? seems most of those selected were placed there based on their draft ratings, not their play last year. Davis has the right to be peeved, but that's ok for Raptors fans -- we will benefit next season.

[sam]

@Lorie: Was it a Mullet or a really curly perm? I'm thinking Perm -
It appears youth has taken over in the NBA playoffs - I'm not a fan of the Celtics, but can appreciate what they achieved and how the team was created.
Same with the Lakers and Spurs.

[kelsey]

Current events, I loved that Lebron 3 that just put the last nail in the hearts of Celtics fans and the team..Dagger to the fullest, I dont know but Im not sure anyone really wants to face Miami...Chicago should take out Atlanta. Will Rose be enough to take out Miami...Not sure that can happen. Dallas Miami would be a good finals and a chance for Dirk to redeem himself...Cant see it happening. Im sure he and Dallas will fold up....Im on the Heat express!!!!

Bosh I would love for you to get a title!! you have worked hard in your years in the league...Also J Anthony and Magloire 2 Canadians!!!!...Would be a nice...Lets go Heat!!!

Also Rip to "Tractor" as It always sad to see a young brother leave his physical so early in life. May you live on thru your children!!!

[Eddy]

Anyone who cheers for Miami must hate Canada and competitive sports.

Blogger's note: And puppies and sunsets. Don't forget puppies and sunsets

[joe]

Hi Doug,
Few questions/comments about the Celtics.

1. Is it the end of the Big 3 or will they take one more shot at it?
2. Jeff Green looked like a shadow of the player he was in OKC? What happened?
3. Karma. I firmly believe that when you disrespect the game, the basketball gods find a way to get even. Doc Rivers and Celtics disrespected the game and the fans when he sat down all of his starters in that game against the Wizards on the Monday after losing to the Heat on Sunday, April 10. Fans paid big money to see them play and it was wrong for them to have sat the starters. So, what happens: The Big 3 decline, Shaq can't play, and Rondo suffers a freak injury on seemingly innocent play. Cleveland did the same thing last year with LeBron and looked what happened. Don't mess with the basketball gods is the lesson.

[The J]

Too bad for Ed Davis, he at least belongs on the Second team. Even if you look at the statistics and I'm certain he pulls ahead of many of the selected players.

Celtic question for you Doug. Of KG, JO and Shaq, how many do you think retire after this? Do you think that a long lockout, if there is one, would add to the motivation. Personally I don't think KG should retire yet, I think he has more in the tank and for a few more years, but I've heard some analysts suggest it. But JO isn't giving much anymore, and Shaq should leave before he further tarnishes his legacy. Would have been nice if he retired after his last surprise All-star season in Phoenix. But I guess he, and some GMs, believed he had more than his body would allow him.

Blogger's note: I think we've seen the last of Shaq and likely JO

[Lorie]

@sam:
Could it possibly have been both? Yee Gods! Did we really think that was an attractive look back then? But, that was also the decade of neon parachute pants, exaggerated kohl eyeliner, fuzzy leg warmers and shoulder pads out to there. And we won't even talk about womens' fashions. :) Cheers!

[kelsey]

@Eddy "Anyone who cheers for Miami must hate Canada and competitive sports"

What does this mean. Which other NBA team in the playoffs that has 2 Canadians on there roster..J Anthony who plays big minutes and is a big part of the team.
Honestly you probably didnt even know there was Canadians on the team, or im sure you never make that remark. Competitive sports? So you think if Miami wins they didnt have to work for it? which team in the last several years has been scrutinized as much as Miami (for good reason)..Who!!

Im a Raptor fan 1st but I have been riding with Miami all year as people have made them the villians!

[ikonn]

@Lorie, you know, sometimes I am not sure what to make of your comments because they are always, well, "nice" and sometimes too clever. But today! Today, you made me laugh twice. Wore a mullet! Womens' fashions! That is some funny s#!t! I can't stop laughing, so thanks for that.

[Eddy]

"So you think if Miami wins they didnt have to work for it? "

Yeah, they had work hard at colluding to put 3 of the best players in the league on one team to insure they can't lose. Some of us call it cheating, which is the anti-thesis of sportsmanship.

Blogger's note: Explain how they "cheated." It may have been done in a manner that upsets you but they didn't "cheat" anyone; they took advantage of the rules of the game as they are. Pure and simple. And the next time someone from the leading company in your industry comes calling, don't go; it'll be cheating

[Eddy]

"Explain how they "cheated." It may have been done in a manner that upsets you but they didn't "cheat" anyone; they took advantage of the rules of the game as they are."
.
They admitted they had been talking about it for two years, while Bosh and James were still under contract and still pretending they had not made their mind up. I guess it was just a coincidence that Miami cleared the books to sign all three and the organization had no idea Wade was talking to them?

Blogger's note: No more a coincidence than the Knicks, Nets or Bulls clearing room.

[Dadeo]

Miami-Boston was a hard series for me to watch...once the Raps are out I like to cheer for the underdog..in this case Boston but I really dont like Boston or Miami so I alternated booing them both (confused the hell out of my wife!).
Good thing I can come here for some bball chat and laughs (puppies and sunsets...LMAO)

[Dave]

@Eddy - man, they didn't even finish first in their conference. "ensure they can't lose"? Gimme a break. The Lakers must have also cheated when they traded for Shaq, and three-peated, right? There is no doubt the 3 planned it in advance. but it's not cheating...They took a financial hit (minor hit, but hit nonetheless) to do it. Something few other players in their prime have ever done. They valued winning over dollar signs which I feel is commendable. If more of these already uber-rich player did the same, there could be more teams around the league that have multiple great players. The only thing wrong with the whole affair was LeBron's egomaniacal "Decision" and Bosh not saying out of the gate he was not coming back. It just made fans feel bad. I players gave a damn about winning, more that millions of dollars, more players would do the same.

[John]

Hey Eddy, I agree that the whole thing was underhanded as well as dishonest. We learned that CB was not being honest about his committment to Raptors for the last 2 years he was here, and it sure seemed to vindicate BC's comments about CB 'tuning out' for the last stretch of the year. We all got to know at this point that BC knew what the play was which is why he made those comments. Heck who's to say CB didnt 'tune out' for the last two years? But it was not cheating cause there is no rule that prevents this type of colluding amongst the players.

[Dave]

Sorry - *IF players gave a damn about winning more THAN millions of dollars more teams would have multiple great players.

[Kelsey]

@Eddy I really cant believe that you call that cheating..
I wondering if your a Raptors fan...Suppose the same situation happened and here. Im sure none of use would call it cheating.

Suppose the free agents were Bargnani,barbosa and Sonny weems and they all went to say New York...would you call it cheating? just question

To me Miami has has made this season interesting. They have forced many teams to bring there best anywhere they travelled. There is no gurantee's in sports..Who would of thought San Antonio would get wiped out in 1st round?
Lakers to get sweeped away!! Got to love NBA playoff basketball!!!