While the Bruins have provided an incredible playoff run (albeit stressful), the Celtics and Patriots are making headlines for less-than-celebratory reasons. For the most part, despite rising temperatures, the Red Sox have been relegated to the background even while sweeping a doubleheader against the Rays and sitting atop the standings in the AL East.
Let's jump right into it.
Bruins Finding Stride
Faced with adversity in both games one and two, the Boston Bruins have narrowly avoided a potentially demoralizing 0-2 hole, instead swinging the series back into their grasp.
For many, a triple overtime loss on the road would spell trouble, and it seemed as if the Bruins were feeling the ill-effects early in Game 2. But Claude Julien reportedly ripped into his team on the bench, challenging his players to play with heart and force Chicago to play Bruins hockey.
Every strong defense is the beneficiary of superb goaltending and the Bruins are no different. As I wrote earlier, Tuukka Rask continues to excel while making a strong case for the Conn Smythe trophy which is awarded to the playoff's top performer.
Unlike Chicago, a team which is lacking production from their top forwards and seemingly confused on which lines to play, the Bruins have remained committed to their system and are reaping the benefits. The top-six forwards are still playing at a high level, but the emergence of the makeshift third line is lifting the Bruins emotionally.
If the Bruins continue to see high-energy shifts from Daniel Paille and Tyler Seguin, they'll be tough to beat. Chicago's normally uber-aggressive defensemen are peaking over their shoulders, inherently aware of the impending forecheck from Boston. Without their ability to move the puck quickly and confidently, the Blackhawks are struggling to maintain entry into the zone.
And don't forget, The Jagr will get his soon...
We Love you, Now we don't, We love you...
Serious question, is there anybody in Boston feeling more awkward than Danny Ainge today?
With reports that his latest blockbuster attempt, which involved both Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett, has fallen apart, Ainge must now either mend fences or quickly put together plan-B.
I don't think it's any secret that Doc Rivers wants out of Boston. At this point, despite Ainge saying he would welcome the coach back, there's too much water under the bridge to envision any kind of reunion.
Both Ainge and Rivers are at fault for various reasons. Let's start with Doc, who signed a 5-year contract extension a season ago only to quickly turn heel a year into it.
It's difficult to fault Rivers for not wanting to take part in a rebuild. At 51 years old, owner of a ring and a devoted following, Rivers shouldn't necessarily have to sit through excruciatingly painful down-years. But shouldn't he have anticipated this when he signed his 5 year pact?
While Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul both took criticism for demanding trades while still under contract, Rivers seems to be skating by any heavy abuse. To this, I question why?
Rivers is the Celtics strongest asset. This hasn't changed since last off-season, where Danny Ainge pressed on with the idea the Celtics could compete with their aging core as long as Doc led the way. Doc's presence alone was Ainge's strongest selling point to free agents, a presence which undoubtedly factored into the signings of Jason Terry and Courtney Lee.
Now, after realizing what he had was not enough, Rivers has essentially hog-tied Danny Ainge. Ainge is now forced to try and find a trade partner for Rivers while still dealing with the aftermath of contract extensions to Jason Terry, Courtney Lee, and Brandon Bass. If the Celtics plan to go full-rebuild, none of those three players offer much value, which allows me to believe this will be a lengthy project in Boston.
Which brings me to my next point, how did the Clippers not accept Danny Ainge's offer? Ainge knows the Clippers have to make a splash in order to A)move to the next level of the NBA's elite and B) appease Chris Paul as a free agent. Likewise, the Clippers know the Celtics are somewhat forced to make a deal because Rivers wants no part in a rebuild.
The last reported deal, Rivers and Garnett for Deandre Jordan and two first round picks, makes too much sense for the Clippers. I could choose to focus on how Ainge is giving up a top-5 coach and skilled forward for an athletic specimen who can't score and two low picks, but I'll instead continue to wonder how the Clippers could seemingly deny that deal.
At what point do fans have enough of their owner being "too cheap," to put it simply. Deandre Jordan will never be a game-changing player and late first round picks are about as big of a crapshoot imaginable. The only detractor for Los Angeles was the money in both Rivers' and KG's deals, a detractor Donald Sterling posed to be too large to move forward.
And that is a damn shame.
And while we're on the topic of basketball, how much fun have the Finals been? Granted, I don't see how the Spurs can regroup both mentally and physically in 48 hours after fumbling away a chance to close out the Heat, but these have been some of the most exciting basketball games I've watched in recent memory. Between LeBron's battles within himself to Boris Diaw's emergence as the round mound of defensive fortitude, it's been fun for all types of fans.
Hopefully Game 7 does not disappoint.
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