Comments on Smacchat NBA Basketball Blog: After the fruits of victory some sour grapes emerg...

Are Celtic fans high on beans?!Are you HIGH on bea...

2009-06-18T19:50:20.449-07:00

Are Celtic fans high on beans?!Are you HIGH on beans?! Please, your old, hobbled team couldn't get out of the semis this year so give the Lakers their due. And yes, we can't wait to meet you next year in the finals also. Remember how Celtics fans threw rocks at our bus when we lost? Well it will be interesting to see what happens to the Celtic bus when it's idling in south central next year and the purple and gold confetti is falling---that is if we don't close out the Celtics at the TD Banknorth whatever you call it. Your franchise had one lucky decade in the 60s and another in the 80s (but that decade is now remembered as the showtime decade). Lakers have risen from scratch in 4 DIFFERENT ERAS baby. Put that in your pipe in smoke it.

Would the celtics have beaten the Lakers with a he...

2009-06-18T19:42:06.715-07:00

Would the celtics have beaten the Lakers with a healthy garnett? No one knows, and unfortunately no one will ever know. Next year is next year and this year the Lakers were the best team in basketball period!

Phil vs Red - Red was overall a better basketball man. That means coach, GM, and player personel evaluator combined. But bottom line, if were talking the accomplishment of winning titles, Phil has the upper hand. To say that he only did this because of having Jordan, shaq, and kobe is just a lame excuse. Who has ever won a title without a superstar. Seems like Red had a pretty good player named Russell that helped him get his 9 rings.

All teams have there blogging idiots and trolls that are just punks and say unintelligent things like what you wrote. I expect it from dumb or crude fans, but not from a sportswriter. Note - when boston beat the lakers fair and square last year, I did not see any L.A. times articles ridiculing their accomplishment.

YOU'RE ALL MISSING DAN'S POINT, which is a good on...

2009-06-18T19:34:57.130-07:00

YOU'RE ALL MISSING DAN'S POINT, which is a good one.

He's not whining they one, or complaining Celtics lost, what his point is here is that the "strutting" around by LA players and LA fans claiming "Dynasty" "the Greatest Franchise in Sports" are ludicrous.

They won one title, big deal, did they win last year? No, will they win next year? Who knows.

Try winning 2 or 3 in a row before we start claiming this CURRENT team is a Dynasty. Winning in 2000, etc. does not mean squadoosh.

Second point is this team is not a likeable team. Kobe is an accused criminal.

The point of Red vs. Phil is a VALID POINT. Here's why, simple to prove, what if Phil had stayed in Chicago. Would he have won 4 more titles? NOPE, probably not.

Red stayed in Boston AND quit early. Phil picks the best team in the league with the best players, picks his spots and "Chooses" to coach them. He may even take a few years off (as he did with the Lakers) from the SAME team until they get a few more good players. It's laughable.

As for the Celtics, they lost, that's that (and I'm a Celtics fan)....but nobody can argue they had horrendous injsuries, MUCH worse than the Lakers had last year. They had so few people playing, it's not just the fact that it was 2 of their best players, but it was the lack of being able to foul other players.

Congrats to the Lakers, but TAKE A LESSON from the Patriots, be HUMBLE. The problem with LA and the reason everyone from Boston hates LA is the strutting around like a peacock everytime you win something.

No class and no perspective.

Smacchat, I honestly enjoy reading your posts, eve...

2009-06-18T19:32:50.702-07:00

Smacchat, I honestly enjoy reading your posts, even though we're on opposite sides of the fence a lot, i think you've got a good perspective. I think all the titles should count. A title means you were the best that year, and Boston has been the best 17 years, LA 15. And head to head, Boston's beat LA 9 times, only getting beaten twice.

Boston has owned this rivalry, and I'll say that as a Laker fan, but LA has been consistently better over the last decade (4 in 10)...BUT, y'all STILL beat us in 2008, grrr.

Also, while that 131-92 stings, we can't inflate it to more than a great close-out game. I remember a 148-114 Boston win in a series that LA went on to win...blowouts happen from time to time, even between great teams. Chicago beat Utah by 40 something, and that was a good Utah team. LA pasted a championship-caliber Spurs team by 40 points, then 30 points the very next game. Blowouts happen. LA took the whole thing this year, so I doubt any Lakers are losing sleep over losing last year's finals, just like the Celtics didn't lose sleep over their 2007 season after they won the whole thing in 2008. Cause really, the 2007 Celtics season was a LOT more embarassing than a one game blowout. But again, they rebounded and won it all 2008, LA rebounded and won it all 2009. Two classic and classy organizations that have great fans and bonehead fans.

I am a Celtic Fan, 100%! I am from Boston and love...

2009-06-18T19:11:50.939-07:00

I am a Celtic Fan, 100%! I am from Boston and love every team from this GREAT sports town. However, this sounds like sour grapes to me. Phil has more titles than Red. Yes, he has had great players. But you dont just stumble on 10 titles. It is what it is. Give him his props. Now, it will be that much sweeter next year when we BEAT LA again! Go Celtz!

I hate Kobe. I think he's selfish on the court and...

2009-06-18T19:10:50.080-07:00

I hate Kobe. I think he's selfish on the court and there is no excusing his off court antics. HOWEVER, Boston fans have always cried foul when one of our sports darlings are called out for off court, off field behavior. The door swings both ways. Kobe is one of the best individual players on the court today-I don't see how anyone can argue that, whether you like him or not. No way to tell what would happen if you could take the legends at their peaks and play them against one another (although it makes for interesting conversation). I'm not a huge Jordan fan but I don't think the two belong in the same sentence. Same goes for Red and Phil. I don't like Phil, but we'll never know how Red and Phil would have fared going head to head as coaches. Deal with it. The Lakers won this year regardless of "circumstance". Break it down and they are the champs. Next year...well, here's hoping the Big 3 come back with the correct supporting cast and the C's get the chance to knock the Lakers around a bit.

Nice smac, however, it would not have been needed ...

2009-06-18T19:05:03.367-07:00

Nice smac, however, it would not have been needed had Danny fully understood the deep rooted emotions with Phil's obsession to pass Red. Celtic Nation would not have walked from the C's if Posey did not have a great 4th year. On the other hand, perhaps Phil's "X" should have an asterisk after all. Can you imagine the anger in Jack Nicholson's voice if Phil couldn't win with a "free" Pau and a "free" Fish. I'm sure Jack may have reminded Phil that he "can't handle the truth" if he, or any other coach could not win that "free hand". Sorry Jerry, your logo looks great on the NBA uniforms, however outside of our beloved Los Angeles area, that logo will forever be tarnished. At least, if one listens to Greg Popovich. We can excuse the good hearted Jazz owner for allowing Fish to go the Lakers to care for his daughter's medical needs, but there may be no excuse for sacrificing Memphis' future with the "Gift of Pau".
Congratulations Kobe you played and coached a great season. What happened to the good old days with Chick and Elgin. Now that’s what LA can call class!!!

Good lord manny, that's like saying a bank robber ...

2009-06-18T19:02:32.078-07:00

Good lord manny, that's like saying a bank robber is "spot on" because all the police showed up. LA fans think it's ridiculous that some Celtics fans are still whining over LA winning a championship, and it wasn't even against the Celtics! The Orlando fans actually were mostly respectful, giving props to the team that beat them, but it's so much more whiny up here.

Using your logic, I guess the Lakers recent success really scares a lot of Celtics fans...just look at all the Celtics fans trying to discredit it.

Im sick of Lakers fan's combatting the Celtics fan...

2009-06-18T18:52:40.914-07:00

Im sick of Lakers fan's combatting the Celtics fans excuse about KG being hurt with the weak statement, "last year Bynum and Ariza were hurt." First off, Bynum did very little for the Lakers playoff run this year, and second, Ariza did play in the finals last year, he just wasn't as good as he was now. If he was so great, he wouldnt have been traded from the Knicks, to the Magic, and then to LA.

I hate the Lakers, same way I despise the Yankees ...

2009-06-18T18:49:49.674-07:00

I hate the Lakers, same way I despise the Yankees and the Colts. That doesn't stop me from admitting that they have put out teams superior to everyone else on the field or court. I hated that the Lakers were able to come back to glory long before the Celtics. I stopped watching the C's in the mid-90's because it was so painful to watch them flounder year after year. I was also a naysayer after the Garnett deal was inked 2 years ago. Yup, I didn't think the new "Big 3" would get it done, but didn't mind eating crow when it happened.

Wow, Dan, I think it's time to hang up your hat. W...

2009-06-18T14:55:11.404-07:00

Wow, Dan, I think it's time to hang up your hat. What a case of bad sportsmanship! So the Lakers won. Big deal. It's not the end of the world. Give them their due.

Wow, after reading some of these comments, I'm emb...

2009-06-18T14:54:42.241-07:00

Wow, after reading some of these comments, I'm embarrassed that this whiny hack is one of our better known journalists. Then, after reading these comments, I'm even further embarrassed by the comments backing up Shaughnessy. What bitter, juvenile writing. At least the people commenting aren't getting paid to write this garbage. And what's the big argument about calling the Lakers a dynasty? They've won 4 rings this decade, and are only 2 behind the Celtics all-time. It's not too far-fetched. And you can't compare Phil and Red, 2 entirely different eras. It's like comparing Cy Young to someone current. We won't see another 300 game winner for a long time, if ever again. Young had 500. Different times.

Stop being so bitter people, grow up and get over it. Your favorite teams will lose once in a while. Don't whine about it, buck up and move on. It's this pathetic whining that makes people hate teams from here. You are all starting to sound like Kordell Stewart when he was bitching about "sometimes the best team doesn't win". No one wants to be a Kordell Stewart, do they?

geez, how much deeper can you wallow in self pity ...

2009-06-18T14:53:15.067-07:00

geez, how much deeper can you wallow in self pity and sour grapes? As a Celts fan I'm really disappointed that you are going on record in this manner, rather than congratulating Kobe et al for going all the way.

I was going to write how Shaughnessy just made all...

2009-06-18T14:52:14.637-07:00

I was going to write how Shaughnessy just made all Boston fans look like a bunch of cry babies. I was so glad to come in here and see so many others already made my point.

I don't know if this article was necessary, but a ...

2009-06-18T14:51:22.621-07:00

I don't know if this article was necessary, but a dynasty - I don't think so. The west is not that strong a division - and the Magic - please I live in Florida and still haven't figured out how they got into the finals - that remains a mystery. Frankly I think either cleavland or the c's without KG would've beaten LA - I'm still mystified how Orlando beat either - they're just porous and the coach stinks. As far as Phil Jackson goes he's where he belongs the man did pick his spots and bailed when he lost talent I'd take Red any day.

The real question is: Would the Celtics with a hea...

2009-06-18T14:50:04.525-07:00

The real question is: Would the Celtics with a healthy Garnett have beaten the Cavs? It amazes me how often people overlook matchups in the NBA. The Cavs actually outscored the Celtics in seven grueling games in last year's Eastern semis. The Cavs added Mo Williams this year and were a much better team than they were last year. The Celtics lost Posey (who would've taken the burden off Pierce in guarding LeBron); they also lost P.J. Brown, who gave them much-need interior height/length when Garnett took a rest.

The Lakers match up well with every team, which is why they deserve to be considered the league's best team this year. And yes, the Lakers are better this year than they were last year. Most notably: the defensively inept Radmonovic was replaced by Ariza, and Gasol added muscle and toughness. Let's be honest. Bynum was coming off an injury and was a medicore role player in the playoffs, so adding him for this title run wasn't a big deal.

Ouch! Forget the what ifs. What if Len Bias had no...

2009-06-18T14:49:02.286-07:00

Ouch! Forget the what ifs. What if Len Bias had not died? Too many what ifs . . . Let them have their day in the sun -- they earned it. From a Celtics and Red fan.

Dan was spot on! LA has a tradition, perhaps, but ...

2009-06-18T14:46:58.320-07:00

Dan was spot on! LA has a tradition, perhaps, but it is a recent one. We old timers remember when the "Couz" and later Russell and their teams beating Philadelphia meant a surefire title because beating LA and Jerry West was an automatic. Much as I hate to add, though, we should concede that as Tuna used to say, "It is what it is", and the Lakers did win this year. Congrats for one year, and see you next spring!

Haha I had to laugh when I saw this. Apparently, n...

2009-06-18T14:46:03.602-07:00

Haha I had to laugh when I saw this. Apparently, news of the Lakers winning the championship hasn't reached Boston yet. They're still "reliving the Celtic's first NBA championship in 22 years." To say Red would have stayed on and coached to 15-20 titles is lame. Shoulda. Coulda. Woulda. To say the Lakers were lucky KG got hurt is lame as well. No one made any excuses when Drew and Trevor were out last year. I guess if KG played and you guys still lost, you would say, "Ya'll are lucky Leon Powe is still rehabilitating his knee!" Red says Jackson picked his spots? Red picked his spot, (I believe he had a few hall of famers in a watered down league), and he stayed. I say quit your whining and try to beat Orlando first.

I'm from Boston and that article referenced and Ho...

2009-06-18T14:44:08.177-07:00

I'm from Boston and that article referenced and Holy cow....that was bad, even by Dans standard.

Yes, I'm from LA but I see our guys at work every ...

2009-06-18T14:43:05.415-07:00

Yes, I'm from LA but I see our guys at work every week... they did work their assets off this year and guess what? They deserve the trophy!
Phil Jackson not the best coach? Give me a break...
If Kobe were to transfer to Boston, you would come to lick his toes and build a statue in front of your arena...and write poems...
But he's ours and get use to the fact that he IS the BEST player TODAY!

Claiming that the Lakers would've lost if Garnett ...

2009-06-18T14:42:20.181-07:00

Claiming that the Lakers would've lost if Garnett was healthy might answer my question though. Wow, what a great excuse, I mean argument to make; could the Lakers not make the same one about Bynum and Ariza not be healthy last year? If you're entire argument is the fact that Garnett makes or brakes this team then that is sad. You know, or should know being a sports writer, that basketball is a team sport. I could see your point if the Celtics made it to the Finals but they didn't. This is a game of sports, which comes with injuries- deal with it and don't make excuses. That would be the sign of a biased fan ;)

I went to the Globe site and read his article, I'm...

2009-06-18T14:41:04.900-07:00

I went to the Globe site and read his article, I'm not sure about Boston, folks else where in the world would like to call you an internet troll for what you just wrote. A lot of could have and would have-- a trademark for losers and trolls.

You are embarrassing even your own Celtics fan, for Pete's sake.

Kevin Garnett is a great player, but titles are wo...

2009-06-18T14:39:23.488-07:00

Kevin Garnett is a great player, but titles are won with who is on the floor and bench. I don't remember seeing an asterisk by the winner the year Byron Scott and Magic Johnson went down with leg injuries and the Lakers lost.

I read this article of yours and I see loads of di...

2009-06-18T14:38:44.475-07:00

I read this article of yours and I see loads of disappointment at the Celtics losing badly this year. The way you write about the greatness of Pierce n KG, people in LA are fond of Kobe n the team. So ... we enjoy this year and hope to see the Celtics come out all guns blazing next year to try and give us some competition
Peace!