Jackie MacMullan throws the ultimate gauntlet down on Jeff Green

For Celtics fans missing this scowl and all of its intensity:

Being asked to replace it with stoicism such as this has been a tough sell:

MacMullan eloquently presents the argument that the upcoming series against Miami will be Jeff Green's time to prove his worth on this team. She paints the picture of Boston fans impatiently waiting to see what made Green so valuable that he was worth trading Kendrick Perkins away for, "discerning New Englanders have stood stiffly with their arms folded and lips pursed waiting for proof that Green's presence enhances the Boston Celtics' chances of still being 'championship driven.'" 


It is indisputable that Jeff Green is in a tough place here. He is being asked to make himself over as a player, and do so in a drastic reduction of minutes from what he played in Oklahoma City. He's supposed to be the spark off the bench, to be offensively versatile, to maintain any lead compiled by the starters, to be comfortable playing in a myriad of different lineups at different positions- oh, and while he's doing all of this, he's supposed to be guarding the best player on the other team, so Paul Pierce and Ray Allen can catch their breath. And don't forget- we're supposed to be winning a championship here, so the margin for error is nonexistent and the pressure is off the charts. To expect him to be immediately effective is unrealistic, but in his short time here, he has displayed tremendous athletic ability and a willingness to try and morph in to the player the Celtics need him to be. He also played stints of successful defense against Carmelo Anthony during the first round of the playoffs, which is perhaps what prompted MacMullan to throw the gauntlet down on him. With Lebron James seemingly looming near in the Celtics future, expectations for Green will continue to rise, and, "If Jeff Green has anything to do with sending LeBron and the boys packing, the discerning fans' stiff arms won't be folded anymore. New England will embrace him as one of its own. But, if it goes the other way, the poker-faced forward better be ready. Those pursed lips know how to boo, too."

Spike Lee wears blue and orange tinted glasses... Prescription strength ones.

I'm guilty of mercilessly attacking the refs, blaming them for miscalls and scheming up conspiracy theories that I'm 500 percent sure some of them have against the Celtics... I'm also guilty of forgetting how annoying that is- until right now. Spike Lee just brought me way back down to earth:

Somebody call this man the WAMBULANCE quickly, because this is a severe case of homer-itis. It's like we watched a different game. The game I watched last night had a box score showing that the Knicks shot 11 more free throws than the Celtics. Yes- the Knicks, playing without their most aggressive post player (A'Mare) shot 11 more free throws than the Celtics. And about not getting a call in the last 2 minutes in Boston- the Knicks didn't need a call. The Knicks absolutely pulverized the Celtics on the offensive boards, and feasted off of second chance points as a result of those boards. The Knicks didn't lose Game 2 because of the refs, or a lack of resolve or effort. Not only did Carmelo have an EPIC performance- but the rest of the team put forth an amazing effort that frankly, down A'Mare and Billups, I never would have thought they were capable of. They were seconds away from winning, but the Knicks lost the game because of poor execution. Veteran teams with playoff experience know how to close games. Other teams do not... And that might sound as cliche as whining about officiating, but it is what it is. Spike Lee wants to blame the refs for costing the Knicks the game- but what about Jarred Jefferies on that last play of the game? He himself said he should have shot the ball, instead of trying to force it to Bill Walker (of all people), but he didn't. It was a frenzied moment and the pressure on him was off the chain- so he panicked. That's when the better team executes and less experienced teams falter, as the Knicks did. 

And okay- I also can't help but add that Paul Pierce got whacked around and hacked a heck of a lot without getting a call, and Rondo also took a couple of non-whistled cheap shots.

Swizz Beatz produced a Knicks anthem.

It's called "Go NY Go." He shot a video for the song at MSG with Carmelo and Amare:

And here's video of Swizz and Amare:

Here's what I have to say about this: so unfair!!! I love Swizzy!! He's all cool and fashion forward and the Celtics are over here playing cheesy 80's rock music and hip hop songs from last year. In any case, while Swizzy is one of my favorite producers, the Knicks can have all the cool, trendy fans. I'd rather send them packing with our corny music and solid team defense. Chea!

Lala says that Carmelo doesn't have a secret love child.

She visited "The Breakfast Club," on Power 105.1 in New York City and addressed the pesky rumor, saying that she wouldn't be married to him anymore if it were true. She also said that she sends him naked pictures (to keep the romance alive) and that she doesn't have a nanny or any other kind of live in help. I can't figure out how to link the video of her interview in, so if you want to check it out, click here. I think Lala seems pretty cool and down to earth... Except I'm ready for this whole reality TV craze to end, so I wish she wasn't filming some silly show about her marriage. Just be happy in your marriage and live your life! We don't need to watch it... Just as long as the blogs cover what she wears on the side lines.

Doc Rivers: "It was a good win, a bloodbath. But I thought it was beautiful." Celtics beat Knicks 96-86.

I talked about it before and Bill Simmons talked about it with Steve Kerr in his BS report: did the Kendrick Perkins trade take the fight out of the Celtics? Have the Celtics lost their fight? Are they less physically intimidating post-trade? 

These questions have arisen because, frankly, the team has played like the wind had been taken out of its sails. That wasn't so last night, and it was such a relief to see. After getting their butts handed to them in Houston and playing the worst that they have in years, they traveled to New Orleans and squeezed out a win against a much inferior team. In the face of these less than impressive last two games, I was nervous about the match up with New York. The Knicks are a team dealing with identity issues of their own, but the prospect of facing Amare and Carmelo was daunting. The Celtics did nothing to quell these fears in the first half, scoring just 37 points while allowing the Knicks to put 51 up on the board. There were some signs of life in the third... But they really turned it up in the 4th. 

Paul Pierce had THE LOOK on his face, and it was so good to see it back. He was a man possessed: The Celtics were going to win that game, no matter what. He scored 13 points in the final frame. And his teammates were right there with him. They displayed hustle and passion that has been missing in recent history. KG out hustled Amare, sprinting and wrestling with him for loose balls. Ray Allen got clocked and blood gushed out of his head, but he returned to action and spread the floor just by being there. And Rondo.... People were saying Rondo was "back" after that game in New Orleans. He wasn't. He was back last night. Shots falling for him around the basket (13 points), and he broke double digits in assists, with 12. But it wasn't about the numbers- it was about his hustle. He stifled Chauncey Billups. He fought for loose balls- most notably tracking down a long offensive rebound in the fourth, out-running Amare and hitting it off of him out of bounds to regain Celtics possession. Oh and he inadvertently elbowed Carmelo in the face ('Melo later got 6 stitches)... But he did that because he was fighting for control over a wild inbounds pass, and wrestled the ball away from Mr. Anthony. Yes! Carmelo started off on a roll, and it looked like he was going to score at least 40. He ended up with just 22 points, and only scored 5 points in the second half. 

It was the kind of win that the Celtics needed. They played together, they didn't waver and they out toughed a team boasting one of the most physically imposing guys in the league (Amare). And mostly, they showed that they're still a team that possess the will to win. And they imposed it in New York last night. Sorry Spike!

The real reason why Carmelo went to the Knicks... According to one message board.

First of all, let me just say this: when I found out Carmelo had been officially traded to the Knicks last night, I breathed a serious sigh of relief. The Lebron drama went on all summer, and that was immediately followed by months and months of speculation about where Carmelo would end up. It seems we'll have a brief respite from all the drama... Just in time for the summer, when Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Dwight Howard will all be free agents. But enough is enough, people! All of the hype, all of the speculation, all of the bending over backwards catering to superstar basketball players with their super sized egos, all the shady dealings of gold diggers like World Wide Wes (google it if you don't know)... It all starting to make me feel so disheartened. I plan on not looking at Twitter or ESPN this summer, to shelter myself from the insanity. 

Anyways, one writer on a message board had this to say about Carmelo's move to the Big Apple: 

Melo is now in NY full time and he can spend more time with his babymama and side baby. 

The side baby is 10 months old and the reason LaLa and Melo got married in the first place. It was either they get married or La was leaving for good. 

Melo also has a side chick in Cali that he pays her bills and bought her a car. I wonder if the Cali side piece will remain in the picture.

sidenote: look forward to Amare and CiCi to creep even more than they already do since Melo is a Knick now. They actually might become public now with La being behind it all.

One sign that you read blogs too much: upon reading that Carmelo went to NY you immediately thought about how Ciara would be all up in MSG with Lala, and the rumors would start going about her and Amare again... Because that's exactly what went through my mind. **Shaking my head at myself.**

Sanity restored: Carmelo Anthony is now reportedly a member of the New York Knicks.

Finally! An end to the Melo-Drama! 

Carmelo is a huge pick up for the Knicks, but I was kind of with Amare on this one. The big man encouraged the Knicks to keep the team together and not blow it up just to land 'Melo... And I believe that trading away Felton, Chandler and Gallinari constitutes blowing up the team. Felton was having a great year for the Knicks, and even though Amare and Carmelo are both top notch players, I think it could be a little tough going forward without the point guard.

P.S. I'm so sad for Chauncey :( Why did he have to be involved?! All he wanted was to stay in Denver, and now he's been shipped off to New York.

Kim Kardashian continues to infiltrate the NBA...Takes to the sidelines of the Newark Prudential Center. Is Kris Humphries relevant yet? In more exciting news, Jay-Z was also on hand!

This would be so cute... If it wasn't Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries. Since it is, it's just... Weird. But it was probably a defining moment of his life... And most definitely of his career- because let's face is, the guy isn't even the first option off the bench. Maybe I'm just a hater! But hey, if Kim wants to pose for pictures  rep her man, go for it. She admittedly looked fab while doing so. 

And I won't lie. The outfit is really nice... My only problem is that it was January in New Jersey. I don't know how I feel about open toed shoes- but if I was chauffeured everywhere like Kim Kardashian is and didn't have to brave the freezing temperatures, maybe I'd wear them in the winter, too. 

Jigga was also on hand, and he looked quite pleased, watching his Nets beat the Jazz to end a 6 game losing streak. 

Gotta love Hova.

In other Nets related news, they have ended their drawn out, dramatic pursuit of Carmelo. Check out Prokhorov's press conference- everything sounds better (and more dramatic) said in a Russian accent. LOVE IT!!!

News around the NBA

Adrian Wojnarowski tweets that there have been new developments made in the ongoing drama-fest between Carmelo Anthony and the Nets. 'Melo is looking for instant gratification: after 7 years in Denver and 0 rings, he wants to move to a new team, be surrounded by veteran talent and have a legitimate chance of winning the whole thing right away. It's no secret that 'Melo really wants to end up on the Knicks. It's also no secret that Denver isn't interested in making a deal with New York. Melo's agent is now pushing for  Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton to be the complementary pieces that convince him to take the plunge and sign the 3 year/64 million dollar deal with the Nets. The proposed deal between Denver and NJ is as follows: the Nuggets would send 'Melo and Billups to NJ and NJ would send Devin Harris, Derrick Favors and multiple first round picks to Denver. Acquiring Richard Hamilton would obviously bring a third team, the Pistons, in to the picture, and that always makes things more complicated. NJ offered Troy Murphy and Johan Petro to Detroit in exchange for Rip and a future first round pick, and this offer was promptly rejected. Apparently the Pistons are looking to rid of Rip, due to the 25 million dollars left on his contract and his dip in productivity, but they're not looking to part with the future first round draft pick.

Personally, I'm not sure how realistic this all sounds. 'Melo wants to go to New York to be with Amare Stoudemire. Why would he look at a team made up of himself, Rip, Billups and Brook Lopez and think it's comparable to a team made up of himself, Stoudemire, Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler and a promising young talent in Landry Fields? Rip and Billups aren't the same players that they were during those Detroit wonder years, circa 2004. And even if 'Melo is banking on Chris Paul joining him in 2012, what other pieces does New Jersey have to offer that would make it a more complete and competitive team than what the Knicks have to offer? Nada! Maybe I'm wrong, and 'Melo will look at it differently than me, but all of this just seems to indicate that the silly drama and posturing is going to continue on as the deadline of February 24 draws closer and closer.

Also- I think that 'Melo is acting reaaaallly wack. To me, it's his job to show up and play as hard as he can for the Denver Nuggets, because that's what team he's on right now. Instead, he's just kind of going through the motions of playing, and he's walking around a good 5-10 pounds over weight. Maybe it's just my view from the starry eyed perspective as a fan- but if I liked the Nuggets, I'd be none too pleased. Don't get me wrong- I'm a Syracuse fan, I love Melo. I just think he should be more thoughtful- or at least tactful- after 7 years on the same team.

In other news, the Timberwolves offered Jonny Flynn to Houston in exchange for Aaron Brooks. Houston said no thanks. Shocking, really! Except not at all. Why the Wolves would think the Rockets would be interested in that is beyond me... And again. Don't get me wrong. Go Orange, I like Flynn too... But come on now! My dad calls him Jonny No-D-Flynn. Clever.