(Image via ffffound.com)
The Celtics are back in action tonight... and it's about goddam time. I've been going nuts over here. I'll be giddy with anticipation all day.
Yes, it's been great to get the guys some rest. Yes, it's a perfect time of year to have 5 days in between games. But my sanity is already shaky... the only thing keeping me somewhat in check is basketball.
Quick aside: Did anyone watch any of the UConn women? They can really ball. I mean, REALLY ball. In 10 years, when women's basketball is completely revolutionized and everyone says "remember when it was slow and it sucked? When did that change?" The answer will be the 2008-09 UConn women.
Back to the Celtics... and Paul Pierce... who is keeping close tabs on how the playoff race is shaking out.
"I look at it more, probably, than anybody," said Pierce. "I think it's fun to see who you might match up with. I look at the West, the race is changing every day."I'm a basketball fan. I keep up with it religiously. I watch games, look at the standings, see who we might match up with in the first round. Right now, Chicago or Detroit, they have the same records, so it could flop either way.
It's nice to hear someone stray from the standard "Oh, I don't watch the standings" line. And I'm pretty sure everyone on the team noticed that Orlando lost last night, although I still contend that there is absolutely zero difference between finishing 2nd and 3rd. I absolutely do not fear playing in Orlando.
And the Herald has some injury updates:
Rajon Rondo, who aggravated his sprained right ankle late in Monday’s practice, was back at work.“It was a stinger,” coach Doc Rivers said. “A lot of those happen after you get the first, initial (sprain). But (Rondo) is fine.”
Garnett (knee) sat and watched practice, while Leon Powe (knee) observed from a stationary bicycle. Garnett, Powe and Scalabrine are expected to join the team for the last road trip of the season through Cleveland (Sunday) and Philadelphia (Tuesday).
One by-product of 5 days off: a lack of stories. The links are pretty bare right now. Other than the two I just included, Jess Camerato has a preview of tonight's game, CelticsHub looks at KG's impact on rebounding, and CSN looks at who's stepping up with KG out.
After the jump, Scot Pollard takes on Cheryl Miller.
This is just... bizarre... and it ends with a 1-on-1 challenge. Keep in mind, this is happening on an actual television show... on NBA TV.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEXaNzelqtg]
If you want to ask Scott how this ends, just follow him on Twitter.