SB Nation User Blog: afflatus

Happy Birthday Larry Bird! Thanks for Everything!

afflatus — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:53:21 -0000

Happy Birthday Larry Bird! Thanks for Everything!

Two Big Wins last Saturday Night

afflatus — Mon, 04 May 2009 12:44:45 -0000

The Celtics win against the Bulls, and Manny Pacquiao's win against Ricky Hatton, a little bit more connected than most people know.

Saturday was the biggest sports night of the year for me by far. What with seeing the final chapter of best seven game series of the decade and My favorite Boxer Manny Pacquiao meeting Ricky Hatton (who is a favorite of my as well, but I had to root against him for the first time).

A lot of Celtics fans could be Hatton fans, if this is the case, this post is not meant to offend them. I am also not campaigning for people to replace Mickey Ward's place in our hearts.

I just wanted to point out a connection that not all Celtics fans might know.

The Number 1 pound for pound boxer in the world is a huge Celtics fan.

See this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB6sXZB4Jx4

The guy actually had the whole team as guests to his fight last year and was like a kid in a candy store when the guys visit his locker room.

I am sure Manny and the Celtics were super focused for their respective events. But I am pretty certain that there was an extra smile in their faces upon learning the results of each others matches.

ESPN's Marketing of Rondo's "Flagrant Foul"

afflatus — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:29:24 -0000

As I was in the middle of the message board debates about this issue yesterday, I realized I was so deep into debating, so deep into explaining what I thought about the play. Defending Rondo for what he had to do. Trying to explain logic into the minds of an emotionally charged, frustrated groups of people (Boston haters and Bulls fans).

Then, as I had a chance to sit back and catch my breath, I realized how stupid this is. How did this get so big? I will be the first to admit that if the shoe was on the other foot, I would be begging for a flagrant, but that's besides the point. Under normal circumstances, fans would pretty much focus on wondering what their teams should do to win the next game. But this wasn't happening. You could read Bulls fans calling for Rondo's head. And Celtics fans calling them sore losers for saying such things. Why does this debate feel like it is more than whether or not it is flagrant foul?

I'm calling for both sides to sit back and realize that we have fallen into the ESPN marketing trap. To paraphrase the summary of how this was presented to us:

"Dwight Howard threw and elbow, which is equivalent to a punch, could be suspended, in the meantime, Rondo swiped Brad Miller in the head, was it flagrant foul?"

Chicago fans, read it again, see how angry it makes you? Now take out the first part. See the difference? You are probably still angry, but the argument will be strictly about whether it was a flagrant or not.

Putting highlights of both incidents, which are totally different, made it look like Dwight Howard threw that elbow on Brad Miller. It's bad enough for Bulls fans that their team lost, but for ESPN to make it look like what Rondo did was on par with what Howard did certainly adds fuel to the fire of an already angry fan base. Instead of arguing that they should have gotten the ball back, you had people focused on the blood that was drawn. Instead of wondering why he was not fined, you had people demanding the Bulls go headhunting to make a statement.

ESPN knew that Rondo's play did not warrant a suspension. ESPN knew that Rondo did something out of desparation, not frustration. ESPN knew the move was not premeditated. ESPN knew there was no intent to hurt anyone. But why not make it look like that by putting it on par with Howard did?

This is irresponsible journalism. The Bulls fans are now looking for Rondo's head, although that should not be the case, the United Center will be demanding it. Although, the Bulls players know in their minds they should focus on winning, can such a young team control their emotions by not playing into the demands of the fans?

Bulls fans may be thanking ESPN for bringing more life to this than warranted, But if Rondo or any Celtics player is put on the ground badly, the United Center erupts in cheers as the player carried off the court. I hope you all are smart enough to know that all these PTI, Around the Horn, and Spotscenter that argued for Rondo will be the first to expose and turn on the Bulls fans. I guess more ratings for them.

I wonder if ESPN will take responsibility for fueling that fire. This has been a great series. Focused on amazing performances and clutch shooting. Now, ESPN has turned it into: "Look for Bulls to hunt for Rondo's head"

Most Hated Celtic?

afflatus — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:23:55 -0000

Jeff mentioned a list of players he hated a few days ago. He had included Joakim Noah while guys like Verajao, and Bibby were already on it.

I have to wonder, aside from the Big three and now Rondo who would simply be hated because of how good they are, who would be the Celtic other fans hate the most.

Who is the player that crawls under the opposing opponent's fans' skin. The guy so animated that opposing fans would simply like to tell him to shut the f' up. Players who opposing fans perceive their attitudes as thinking they are "all that". Players who others feel have no right to talk trash, but we all know can back it up. Actually, that is why they are hated.

I have 3 Candidates:

#1 Kendrick Perkins - Opposing fans hate enforcers. He knows his role, a part of it is to be mean and intimidating. He is very vocal, very expressive with that angry face. His swagger has been elevated this season due to an increased role (with or without KG), and a Championship ring. Proof of this was the barrage of Technical Fouls early in the Season.

#2 Brian Scalabrine - This guy has never lacked on Attitude and confidence. Not afraid to talk, and not the least bit insecure about his lack of athleticsm and talent. People see him and wonder why he is in the NBA, and then he hits a key 3 point shot and people angrily wonder why that just happened.

#3 Eddie House - Another big trash talker. Can't handle the ball, can't get to the basket. Can't catch a pass for a fast break layup. But can back up anything he does with 3 point consistency. Also, he won't hesitate to put someone down to prevent a layup and loudly proclaim to the bench that that is how it is done.

Poll

Who do you think is the player opposing fans hate the most?

Kendrick Perkins

146 votes

Brian Scalabrine

15 votes

Eddie House

31 votes

Other

41 votes

233 votes | Poll has closed