FATHERS DAY SMILE

In just a few hours from this moment, the Celtics quite possibly be crowned NBA Champions in the city of Los Angeles. It would take a great momentum swing combined with an amazing Kobe Bryant performance to hinder this. After all, the Celtics pulled off the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history(and NBA playoff history for that matter) in Game 4.
The Green Machine won the first two games at home before heading out to the left coast to take on a Lakers team that was undefeated in the postseason at Staples Center. In Game 3, I witnessed the worst officiated game in my entire life. One might say I have a bias, but the game seemed almost fixed. Yes, the Celts did seem to get the benefit of the calls in Game 2, but this game was grossly botched. The Celtics watched the Lakers dive in, mostly Bryant, and get every call on their way to the free throw line. Meanwhile, Celtics captain and All-Star Paul Pierce got continually hacked and smothered but never got to the line. The Celts still nursed a 4th quarter lead but the combo of Bryant and Vujucic came back to win the game by 6 points. The Celts trailed by 2 points with under 2 minutes to go but Eddie House missed an open jumper to tie it up and then the Lakers closed it out. In any case, a tough one to swallow.
The Lakers came out flying in Game 4 and ran away with it, leading 35-14 after one quarter. The lead was the largest in NBA Finals history after 12 minutes. Even worse, Celtics starting point guard was unable to go with a minor ankle injury from the prior game. The Celts continued to play and trailed by 18 at the half. Halfway through the 3rd quarter, the Celts faced a 70-50 deficit, on the road with a somewhat loud and hostile crowd. The combo of Posey, Allen and House helped spark a comeback, as did Pierce's defense on Bryant. The team outscored the Lakers 23-3 to even the game at 73 very early in the final frame. The momentum continued on and the Celts eventually won the game by 6 points. A clearly overjoyed Celtic team celebrated on the floor as the Lakers walked off it shocked and dismayed. The question that remains today is whether the Lakers can find a way to break free from the disaster and compete with a hungry Big Three and Celtics club. This was a biggie, as the pressure is off the green and they need only one win in any of the 3 possibly remaining games to win it all. It should end tonight. Moreover, we wish the Celtics the best as they attempt to hang up their first banner in 22 years!

Meanwhile, the positivity continued with the Red Sox too, as they continue to win more often than not and stay in first place. The week looked bleak though, most notably due to a slew of injuries including Ramirez(hamstring) Ortiz(wrist) and Matsuzaka(mild rotator strain). Missing the 2 big bats didn't phase the club, thanks in part to J.D. Drew, whi is scorching the ball here in June. His offense was needed, as mainstays such as Pedroia and Lugo are struggling while Lowell and Youkilis are a bit inconsistent. As for the week, the bullpen blew a nice lead late and got rocked 10-6 at home versus the lowly Orioles club. But Lowell his homers in both of the next 2 games while Colon and Lester threw some quality innings en route to a series win. Interleague baseball returned over the weekend in Cincinnati. The horrible road troubles for the Red Sox continued in the first game when Harang outdueled Masterson as the Sox finally felt the effects of the injury bug in a 3-1 loss. But the team bounced back the next 2 games. In the first, the team took an unhittable Wakefield out in the 8th with a 4-2 lead. Well, once again the bullpen faltered and once again Okajima was involved. Last year the All-Star rookie was brilliant, but lately he's struggled. Much like earlier in the week, he gave up a run but Delcarmen bailed him out with a big double play ball from 600 HR man Griffey Jr.! Papelbon came on for the save but gave up a 2-out, 2-strike solo shot and the club had to go to extras. Right away, Youkilis and Crisp went back-to-back and won 6-4. Youkilis had a slew of friends and family in attendance as he hit the GW. The rubber game was blowout in the good guys favor. Beckett was terrific and the team clubbed 4 homers(Crisp, Pedroia, Drew and Ellsbury) en route to a 9-0 blanking. The team is 44-28 and continues their interleague play versus the 2 solid teams in the upcoming week: Phillies and Cardinals. Go Red Sox!