Live Blog of Celtics vs. Hawks Game 4

The Celtics are coming off an unexpected game 3 loss to the Atlanta Hawks that finally made this series worth a view. To spice things up a little bit, Al Horford, a talented but egomaniacal rookie, decided it was a good idea to taunt Paul Pierce, a 6-time all-star (You can view the clip here) at the end of the game. Paul Pierce, a man who was once stabbed dozens of times in the chest, a man who grew up in Inglewood, a city that also raised rapper Mack 10, then started walking in the direction of Atlanta's bench with a look in his eyes that sent a stern and direct message to Big Al.

"Paul Pierce is not to be $!!#&# with".

Pierce was fined 25,000 dollars for making what the league called a "menacing gesture." The Wizards DeShawn Stevenson got fined the same amount for blatantly trying to decapitate Lebron James.

The only explanation I have for this, is the NBA decided it needed to spark some viewers into this seemingly predictable series, so they pumped it with good old fashioned controversy.
David Stern had some words on the matter during a second quarter interview with TNT's Cheryl Miller.
"Whatever [a menacing gesture] may be, the reality is we want our players not to make any gestures towards an opposing bench...because they are the greatest players in the world."

Best commissioner in sports right there.

Now here are my thoughts as the game goes on. I promise no matter how ridiculous or shockingly accurate my predictions may seem, they aren't edited after the game concludes.

• The game begins with a quick 5-0 Celtics lead followed by a couple sloppy offensive positions by both teams. Atlanta looks a little nervous.
• Paul Pierce scores his first points on a three pointer from the right corner. Expect 19 more of those before the game is over.
• Garnett scores his 4th point on a turnaround baseline jumper over Joe Johnson. This is followed by a defensive rebound and a Ray Allen three pointer. The Celtics are up 13-3.
  I know his turnaround drives some people crazy, but I love it. The one reasonable criticism on Kevin Garnett's game is that he's simply too selfless. People want him to be more like Tim Duncan. Why doesn't he just back his way down low and hit those little hook shots? He doesn't have to. Nobody on the planet can guard that turnaround and Garnett can make it seven or eight times if you give him 10 chances.
  
• Al Horford called for traveling. Hmmm I wonder what's going to happen now?
  
• (Paul Pierce knocks down his second 3)
• There have been times in this series where the best player on the court for long stretches has been Atlanta's Josh Smith. He's been stuck in the dumps down in Atlanta his whole career, but now that he has the opportunity to showcase his talents on a national stage, he's really taking advantage. His dunks are obviously unbelievable and some of the best so far in this year's post-season, but Smith's blocks are hands down the most impressive part of his game. He has 10 of them through three games and when he swats 'em they stay in play. Who knows what might've happened had he been drafted to a more respectable franchise. He's a free agent after next season, and Atlanta doesn't have a great history with making smart decisions. Hopefully they'll let him free.
  
• Zaza Pachulia looks like the Cyclops from Harold and Kumar: Escape from Guantanamo Bay. This is what the cyclops would look like if he were a flopping tool.
• At the end of the first half, besides the fact that the Celtics are down 3 and the Hawks are matching their intensity, the biggest concern I have is (I can't believe I would ever say this) Michael Donovan Bibby. He's got 18 points in two quarters after barely making an impact in the first three games and right now he looks like he could penetrate through the perimeter in his sleep (that sentence sounds wrong in more ways than I can count).
  

I don't think necessarily that the Celtics are in too much trouble if they happen to lose this game. There's no chance they'll lose a quarter in Boston barring an injury. The Detroit/Philly series is a little different. The Pistons have yet to assert any dominance at all towards a team that most felt were lucky to be in the playoffs at all and the Sixers already feel like they belong. The Celtics KNOW the Hawks can't play with them.

• If Marvin Williams and Kendrick Perkins are suspended a game for stepping onto the court during Garnett vs. Cyclops, I'm boycotting the NBA once Kevin Garnett retires.
• Speaking of Garnett, after playing a disappointingly quiet first half, midway through the third quarter he caught a pass from Rondo in the lane, took two steps and threw a HARD dunk left handed over Josh Smith, asked for a foul and then ran up the court with that Frankenstein like gaze in his eyes. That, as some like to say, was just what the doctor ordered.
  
• Right now it's the 4th quarter and the Hawks won't go the hell away. They're more annoying than Michael Smith revealing the top four picks in Saturday's draft before the thing even started. Kinda defeated the purpose there.
  

There's just under five minutes left in the ball game and the Hawks are leading 84-79. I don't think this arena has ever been louder. Where is Paul Pierce and the fiery look he had in his eyes at the end of game 3? Someone's got to counter Joe Johnson who was scoring points in the first half but they were muffled. Right now he's playing like the quietest superstar in the NBA. Johnson ended up with 20 in the 4th quarter, outscoring everyone on the Celtics combined.

• The Celtics lost 97-92. They just couldn't guard Joe Johnson at ALL down the stretch and now put themselves in quite the predicament heading back to Beantown with the series all knotted up. With that being said, it will end in six games and I will not be doing any more blogging for fear of a massive jinx for the rest of this series.
  

Miguel Tejada got hosed

If you like sports chances are you watch ESPN, and if you watch ESPN, chances are you've seen a commercial for their show "E:60" which is highlighted with Houston Astro's short stop Miguel Tejada defiantly getting out of his chair mid-interview after being shown his birth certificate.
During the interview, ESPN investigative reporter Tom Farrey confronted Tejada about his actual age. The certificate saying he was 33 instead of the younger 31 he's gone by since 1993 when he was drafted by the Athletics.
Ever since the news broke last week, Tejada has been on an absolute tear. Since April 16, the former all-star has watched his batting average rise from .296 to .370, he is currently four RBIs off the major league lead, and in his last two games has a combined eight hits. San Diego has ESPN to thank for having to deal with the infuriated Tejada.
I guess what I don't understand is why this is such a big deal. It's not a big deal to Houston's ownership, it's not a big deal to Tejada's teammates, and it's not a big deal to their fans. Why then would ESPN embarrass a major league baseball player in front of millions? The obvious answer is this.
Controversy = More Viewers.
This isn't anything new, but that does not mean it's OK. ESPN, in attempt to dig up a juicy story to boost their ratings, came off as shameless.
Miguel Tejada originally lied about his age when he was 17. A young prospect trying to make it out of his poverty stricken home country of the Dominican Republic, Tejada was told by his coaches that his age was all that was holding him back.
"When they signed me back in '93, I was a young kid," he said. "I really wanted to sign with professional baseball because I thought that was the only way I thought I could help my family. That's the way that everybody did it back in those days. My coach told me that's how we are going to do it, and I followed him."
Let's be serious. This isn't the first time a player from Latin America has lied about his age for his own benefit (Case in point: One Jose Contreras), and for Miguel Tejada to be singled out is a step below the New England Patriots getting crucified for stealing signals. I'm well aware of the old saying "just because everyone's doing it, that doesn't make it alright", but you can't single a team or an organization out. If you want to investigate the entire league then go for it.
Does he deserve this harsh treatment? He was one of the bigger names listed on the Mitchell Report and instead of receiving a sanction from major league baseball, Tejada was greeted with a new team and 26 million dollars over the next two seasons. Is this just his karma catching up with him? I say no.
Tejada says he was ambushed in the Philadelphia interview.
"They called me about two days before the interview and told me it was going to be more about baseball," he said. "When I got there, I thought it was about baseball and they throw me a 98 mph fastball inside."
What ESPN did was lie to a lier. They put themselves in an awkward situation as the world wide sports news leader. Instead of reporting news, they've created it, making themselves apart of the story.
I obviously do not condone the "alleged" steroid use or any other morally incorrect actions Miguel Tejada has committed, but in this case, let the man just play some baseball.

Celebrations Gone Too Far

2:46 seconds into the third period of a tied game 6 elimination game, Alexander Ovechkin, possibly the best natural goal scorer in the NHL in the last 15 years, finds a break in the defense, gets a perfect breakaway pass from Viktor Kozlov and leaves a helpless Martin Biron literally on his heals. It is the first of two goals Ovechkin will score in a winning effort, forcing the first Washington Capitals Game 7 since 1992.

This column is not about Ovechkin and how undeniably breathtaking all 68 of his goals were this season (including 13 game winners). It is about what he does as soon as the red-light flashes and the fans go crazy. Ovechkin, only 22, acts a little too much his age, enthusiastically giving fist pumps in celebration as if the goal’s importance is on par with Bobby Orr’s Stanley Cup winner. It pumps up his team while simultaneously making his opponents blood boil.

In professional sports, everyone celebrates after a meaningful goal, basket, homerun, save, block, hit, or touchdown, but when does it become too much?

Boston Red Sox right fielder J.D. Drew represents the exact opposite side of the spectrum and for some strange reason, his mannerisms seem to annoy just as many people as Ovechkin’s. Drew has been accused by many over his injury plagued and controversy filled career, of not playing baseball with enough emotion. Never cursing at himself when swinging at an un-hittable curveball with two strikes against him. Never slapping himself upside the head after bobbling a line drive hit to right. He almost looks like he does not care when he steps into the batters box. The same, solemn look shows on his face after a ground out or a home-run.

So what is the happy medium between angering your opponents and pleasing your hometown fans?

In football, touchdown celebrations should be allowed, but only in cases where they are to take the lead or tie a ball game. If Chad Johnson wants to celebrate a big 4^th

quarter touchdown after bringing his team (whoever they may be) back in the game, then let him do whatever he wants. It’s entertaining.

Baseball is a game of highlights. Classy players who are Baseball Tonight regulars will usually make great plays and act like they’ve been there before. A walk-off home run or a game saving defensive play (similar to the one made by Jimmy Rollins’s backup on Sunday night against the Mets) is always acceptable for celebration.

Hockey and Soccer, two low scoring, unpopular American sports give players the right to rejoice after a goal, but players (like Ovechkin) need to put them in context. In a meaningless regular season game with a four goal lead, there is no need for a fist pumping spectacle. Another good example is college basketball player of the year, Tyler Hansbrough. I spent the entire season watching him pump his fists and kick his legs like a rockette dancer, usually in a situation where North Carolina had a double digit lead. It’s annoying and if I were a player on the other team, it wouldn’t make me too happy.

The bottom line here is that it’s ok to be an intense player. It gets your fans energized and sets an example for your teammates (nobody defines this person better than Kevin Garnett). Celebrating an individual achievement like a three-pointer or a goal should not be regularly followed by a personal parade, unless your name’s Tim Duncan.

Selfless Athletes Are Not a Dime a Dozen

What if every professional athlete in America took their ridiculously large paychecks, set aside a million or two and either started a charitable foundation or donated to one of their choice?

Instead of spending gross sums of money on Ferrari trucks and solid gold ceilings, professional athletes could be sharing their wealth and bettering the world we live in. They make more money than nearly every other profession on earth and if they got together, they easily could make a collective difference.

Imagine what would happen if Michael Jordan cared less about his legacy on the basketball court, and more about his legacy as a humanitarian. Forget about the money he made playing the game, what if he took half of his endorsement earnings from the likes of Gatorade, Haines, and Nike and donated it towards AIDS research instead? Where would that fight be?

Denver Broncos running back Travis Henry exemplifies to a tee, all which is wrong with the choices professional athletes make with their money.

Henry embarrassed himself in 2007 when he asked his former team, the Tennessee Titans, for a $9800 loan to pay off his child support (Henry has nine children with nine different women). At the time, Henry owned a $100,000 car and $146,000 worth of jewelry. Forget charity, Travis, take care of your family.

There are of course, a handful of players who understand the greater good. Since 1992, Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling and his wife Shonda have been instrumental in developing public awareness and fundraising campaigns to improve the services of

The ALS Association. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Legendary quarterback Doug Flutie has a son afflicted with autism so he set up the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. According to their website, they “are committed to funding organizations that provide direct services, family support grants, education, advocacy and recreational opportunities with the purpose of improving the quality of life for individuals with autism and their families.”

Sounds like money well spent.

Those two men have taken the talent God gave them and utilized it to help those less fortunate. No man, however, has gone as far as Houston Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo. In 1997, Mutombo established the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, a charitable organization created to improve the health, education and quality of life for people in his homeland of the Congo. His legacy lies in the building of the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital and Research Center, a 300-bed hospital that will provide desperately needed healthcare to the impoverished population of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mutombo has personally given $15 million to the building and has lobbied for several of his multi-millionaire teammates to donate a share as well.

At halftime of a Rockets game earlier this month, Mutombo was honored for his work by NBA Commissioner David Stern, Rockets owner Leslie Alexander, and former
President George Bush. His teammate Shane Battier could not have put it better: “What can you get the man who could be the reincarnation of Mother Teresa.”

Comparing a professional athlete to Mother Teresa, a woman more saint than human being, is a shock in today’s world, and that’s the problem.