Thinking out loud…while wondering why the day you do the yard work, the laundry, or clean the house is called a ‘day off?’
Last Sunday was a rather unique day in New England Sports history. It was just the third time for the Celtics and Bruins, plus the Red Sox, to all win ROAD games on the same day.
Tip o’ the cap to Twitter handle @bostonsportsinf for that nugget.
And then, it was as if our Boston teams collectively spit the bit…putting Angst and Anxiousness ahead of most other emotions over the course of the past week.
It’s easy to ask, “why?” Why do these teams suddenly seem as if they can’t close a door, much less a playoff series? It’s not an easy question to answer. But here’s a couple of thoughts:
1) The opponent isn’t as bad as previously advertised. 2) The other guys are professionals, too. 3) Talent is spread throughout these leagues – one team does not hold a big advantage over another. 4) It’s Boston. The Curse of the Bambino still exists.
Where’s Pedro Martinez when we need him? “Wake up the damn Bambino and have me face him. Maybe I’ll drill him in the ass.” That all time quote – from a Hall of Fame pitcher – is precisely what these Bruins and Celtics need…a fearlessness that won’t fade.
‘Cuz right now, that’s missing. Maybe they’ll still win it all, maybe they won’t. But it’s clear right now, the ability to focus on tasks (and the teams) at hand is shaky, at best.
Condolences to the family, friends, co-workers, and media members who knew and worked with Celtics’ VP of Public Relations Heather Walker, who lost her battle with brain cancer this week at age 52.
One of her first duties, when she was hired in 2006, was to plan the events surrounding the death of icon Red Auerbach. Those that knew her well say her first instinct, when she learned of her own condition, was to reach out and help others.
The Celtics move on, despite the early-in-the-week fail. I mean, you let a guy (“Ice” Trae Young) hit a logo three on you for a win Tuesday that should never have been that close.
The real key to Celtic success – the Two Jays scoring 30+ points, each. Short of that, your guess is as good as mine.
Not for nuthin’, but how many games has Jayson Tatum put the team on his shoulders to win, prior to Thursday night’s last two minutes?
Now, count up the times Tatum has come up woefully short in games the Celtics should have won. Which number is higher?
This is the Burden of the Stars. Fair or unfair, it’s what they signed up for.
Jimmy f****** Butler. You want a guy who has developed a killer instinct? Here he is, in Miami.
Ime Udoka was hired in Houston as the Rockets’ head coach? So much for decency, I suppose. He’s a good coach, this we know. But it’s clear the value of winning is more important than the value of workplace behavior in Houston.
Not entirely sure I’d feel valued if I were a female Rockets’ staffer right about now. Objectified, maybe.
We are a society that believes in second chances, and yes, even Udoka deserves one. As long as he keeps his pants on this time.
Who else felt less sure about the Celtics’ advancing than they did about the Bruins’ chances?
The B’s haven’t been helped by having Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci out of the lineup…creating some communication issues…or by having David Pastrnak suddenly unwilling to pull the trigger.
Taylor Hall has been a bit of a revelation with his postseason play…but for the team to perform as expected – and finish – the Bruins need everyone to “know their role,” as The Rock might say.
Don’t forget those Providence Bruins, in the postseason just like their bigger league brethren.
After gaining a first-round bye in the Calder Cup playoffs for winning the AHL Atlantic Division, the PB’s open with Hartford this weekend – a team that has won 12 of its last 14 coming in…and outscored the opposition 13-2 in two opening round playoff games.
How about this for an NFL Draft nugget: Since 2005, 44 Alabama players (including Bryce Young, Will Anderson and Jahmyr Gibbs) have been selected in the first round. The first 41 of those have gone on to earn $1.3 billion in combined career contracts – more than any other school.
Mamas, it pays to let your babies grow up to be Crimson Tiders.
Not sure Young will get there, but of the 57 overall top draft picks since 1967, 10 of them have reached the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The last to do it…was Peyton Manning, the first pick in 1998.
Best fake trade thought? The Patriots had interest in Lamar Jackson. Then he signed a $260 million deal with the Ravens, making his salary the highest annual payout in league history.
Exit New England, stage left.
If I were BB, I would have…done exactly what he did. Wait, wut?
Christian Gonzalez, a 6-1 corner from Oregon (and Colorado) sliding to the Pats at #17 was pure gold. Speed and length, both. The back end of the defense has a stopper.
Which is a good thing, since the QB’s in the AFC East (Allen, Tagovailoa, Rodgers) are definitely goers.
J-E-T-S, Jets! Jets! Jets! This week they hired a 40-year-old QB to turn them into media darlings. That’s so, so…Jets. Can’t wait for the first few losses to then watch the media pounce. Getcha’ popcorn ready.
The trade for Aaron Rodgers is ridiculous. Over the long term, the Packers pantsed the Jets. Two first round picks and a two? For a guy who turns 40 this season.
In the short term? The Packers may still have pantsed the Jets. That all depends upon the guys playing with Rodgers.
But the only Jets’ QB to throw for 4000 yards in a single season? Joe Willie Namath. And TV will be there in force to watch Rodgers try to match and surpass Namath…with the four-time NFL MVP featured as many as SIX times during primetime this season.
It’s enough to make you want to puke Gang Green. Cue the TB12 unretirement talk in 3-2-1…
The Patriots are a better team than they were at this time a year ago. But the AFC East now is also, um, vastly improved. So, are these Patriots the worst team in the division?
In a word, yes.
But that doesn’t mean they’ll stay there. The Jets will figure out a way to crash, they always do; Tua is fragile, and the Bills? They’re still good, but they still can’t win it all.
Opportunity is knocking, BB. Now would be a good time to show you’ve still got gas in the tank. Just don’t screw up Mac again, K?
Loyalty will only carry you so far. Don’t let it carry you into retirement before you’re actually retired.
But it should be fun to watch it all unfold in the AFC East next season. How much fun…is up to the Patriots.
A shout out here to one of the best to cover the Patriots, in a long history of great and talented journalists in Boston and Providence to do so. The Boston Herald’s Karen Guregian is moving on to a new opportunity after 38-years following and opining on New England’s NFL team. Karen is a pro’s pro, whatever she does.
Same to WJAR-TV 10’s Joe Kayata, who this week announced he’s leaving local television for a new opportunity. A real pro, a veteran reporter and anchor who has covered our stories with energy and enthusiasm. Go get it Joe and enjoy your time with family.
Colorado had their spring game sellout last weekend. Half a million-plus watched it on ESPN. Then, the portal doors in Boulder, CO swung wide open. 18 players left the school on Monday, bringing the total to a staggering 41 players leaving the Buffaloes since “Coach Prime” entered the picture.
Give Deion Sanders some credit, however. In his first meeting with the team since arriving from Jackson State, he told players that many of them would probably leave. And he was right.
But does Coach Prime have the primetime players to replace those numbers, ready to play?
Those five NFL players (three from Detroit) suspended last weekend for betting on games last year? Told ya’ that was coming. Just sayin’.
Next up, point shaving. Oh yeah, gonna happen somewhere. The temptation will be too great. Someone will always feel like they can get away with it and make a little somethin’ on the side.
And why not? Pro and college sports leagues and teams are profiting from the gambling industry. But the athletes, who often don’t see the potential conflict of interest, can’t do the same?
I smell a legal challenge somewhere, too.
Our friends of statistical compilation at WalletHub released a beauty this week, with so much national emphasis – and advertisement – on legal sports betting. Not surprisingly, Nevada is the Number One Most Addicted to Gambling State in the US.
Rhode Island comes in at #19. Massachusetts, a recent legal joiner to the online sports book craze, already ranks halfway up (or down) the ladder at #25. Connecticut – with two prominent casinos housed within its’ borders for what seems like forever – is only ranked 41st.
Providence has long had a reputation as a “foodie” city, and it may not have been more apparent than this past week when actress and Jeopardy! host Mayim Bialik and actor/comedian Kevin Hart showed up in the neighborhood.
They weren’t together, but both were spotted out as Bialik attended an event at Bryant, while Hart had a standup show at the AMP. Bialik hit Federal Hill (Old Canteen) and said it may have been the “best Italian food I think I’ve ever had.”
Welcome to Ocean State Nawlidge 101, Miss Blossom.
Hart hit The District, sat in the main dining room, and ordered off the menu. Just like a regular paying customer might. Very cool. A foodie city? Prov might also be a “cool-ey” city, too.
Too soon for that one?
Let’s go portaling. Nearly 1500 in it, fewer than 600 have a new place to go. Fox and Sporting News analyst Michael DeCourcy sez we should embrace this new madness, because it gives college basketball more of a national spotlight beyond the month of March.
Hard to argue that point from the sports’ perspective. There is a TON of interest. Kinda like going nuts over NFL Free Agency and the draft, amiright?
But if we’re still in the business of education – which is debatable – aren’t we doing a disservice to the athletes who give up a scholly for another opportunity and then can’t find another place to play?
Here’s the catch – those who don’t find a place to play, still learn. The hard way.
FYI – the transfer portal closes May 11th. There’s still time for some kid somewhere to screw this up…and for some team somewhere to find a gem.
Coaches across the country will be watching to see what the NCAA will say about a group of 20 portalers who are transferring for a second time (including Georgetown ex-Brandon Murray) before graduating.
The first transfer (first allowed in 2021) lets the athlete play right away…hence the preponderance of wanna-play-somewhere-elses in the portal today. But that second shift? It allegedly will come with a one-year wait unless there’s reason for a legit waiver. If the NCAA sez otherwise, look out.
Early entrants into the NBA Draft this year? 242, down from 283 last year and from a stunning 353 in 2021. What gives? Probably NIL $$$ keeping some in the college game for a bit longer. Ultimately, that’s probably a good thing for college basketball.
Great week for Xavier as they get Zach Freemantle back for a fifth season. Not so much for Creighton, however, losing Arthur Kaluma, Trey Alexander, and Ryan Kalkbrenner to the draft. Do all three ride it out and stay in or does anyone go back to school…is the major question.
Saw this week where ex-St. John’s guards Posh Alexander (now at Butler) and A.J. Storr (onto Wisconsin) were named to the all-Metropolitan team in greater New York for this past season. But they can’t play for Rick Pitino next season?
And another ex-Red Storm guard, Dylan Addae-Wusu, has transferred to Seton Hall.
Former Butler guard Alex Barlow, who has been coaching in the G League at Maine, is leaving to join Thad Matta’s staff at his alma mater as an assistant for next season.
The Friars didn’t lose a player this week, but they lost another member of their staff with strength and conditioning coach Kenny White (a former Vermont Catamount point guard) departing to join Ed Cooley’s staff at Georgetown.
Our buddy Rich Coren brought this up: Funny how the national pundits often explain Cooley’s departure away by saying he “couldn’t win big” at Providence. And yet, Cooley has pulled nearly his entire PC staff to DC, to try and do just that.
It wasn’t the money. It wasn’t the facilities. It wasn’t the people – his assistants on staff (save for Kevin Kurbec) left to join him. Does the “G” logo really mean THAT much more to a generation of kids who weren’t alive when it was actually relevant…or is there something else to this?
With Big 12 expansion, the Big East is the only Power Six conference that will play a true round robin – everyone faces everyone once at home, once away. You’d have to think that will help the league when it comes to tourney teams next year – provided you win your fair share OUT of the league.
The Big 10 is moving to a 20-game conference schedule, like the Big East has, but will play home-and-home with seven opponents and a single game with six (three home, three away).
Ex-Rhody and Hendricken Hawk guard Sebastian Thomas has landed at UAlbany, in the America East…where friends and family will still get the chance to see him play when the Great Danes go to Bryant.
The ProJo’s Bill Koch reports Warwick natives TJ and Tyriek Weeks will play at Rider next season, transferring from UMass and Miami Dade JC. Their dad, Tyrone, starred at UMass.
You’ve heard of IMG Academy? The prestigious athletic-focused boarding school in Florida? It just sold this week for $1.25 billion. IMG will join a global network of boarding schools, giving them (and US colleges) access to athletes from all over the world.
The school’s previous owner, Endeavor, just bought the WWE. Guess they needed the cash.
Congrats to former Friar Alpha Diallo, playing for AS Monaco of the French Pro A League. Last year, Diallo was named an all-Pro. This year, his team took the French Cup for the first time in franchise history…and they’re onto the Euroleague playoffs.
My buddy “Big E” sez he’s figured out the difference between baseball and politics. In baseball, you’re out if you’re caught stealing.
Former Pittsburgh hoop analyst Dick Groat – the same Dick Groat that won the National League MVP in 1960 when the Pirates won the World Series – passed away this week at 92. He retired from baseball in ’67, played in eight all-star games, and many don’t recall his FIRST love…being an all-American guard at Duke (where he also played baseball) and playing in the NBA.
Two sport star? That doesn’t do him justice. A wonderful gentleman, he spent 40 years working the Pitt Panther basketball radio broadcasts as Bill Hillgrove’s color analyst. The Pirates just last week announced Groat will be inducted into their Hall of Fame this summer.
Groat won the NL batting title in 1960, hitting .325 and leading the Pirates to an upset in the series over the Yankees. And, he was the great uncle of golf star Brooks Koepka.
Speaking of the Yankees…a lineup expected to do much, hasn’t done much at all thus far. After winning five of six series in April, NY has lost to Toronto and Minnesota…with the team hitting an anemic .232…and just above the Sox in the AL East standings.
Injuries to Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton (surprise!), Josh Donaldson and Harrison Bader have helped. Or rather, haven’t helped.
Boston Sports Journal’s Sean McAdam, formerly of the ProJo and Boston Herald, is also stepping away from manning the Sox coverage on BSJ onto another opportunity. Since producing for Chuck Wilson once-upon-a-time at the old WEAN, Sean has been a trusted mainstay in local media…and a GREAT reporter, as well as baseball Hall of Fame voter.
I don’t know about you, but I’m kinda done with Chris Sale’s dugout tantrums. Did anyone else notice he used his right (non-pitching) hand to throw his latest nutty after blowing a 4-0 lead and getting NO strikeouts?
Hey, at least he was smaht enough to hit the coolah with the othah hand.
The Tampa Bay Rays, with one of the three lowest payrolls in baseball, finally lost a home game at the Trop this week after winning 14 straight to start their season. The announced crowd at the game was less than 10K – watching a team that tied a record for consecutive home wins to start a year that was last set in 1885.
What are we doing here? Or what are they doing there?
I know what Cumberland, RI’s Chris Wright is doing. He’s one step away from The Show. The former Bryant pitcher got his call up to AAA Sacramento in the San Francisco Giants’ organization this week.
Interested in having your questions on local Rhode Island sports (and yes, that includes the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics) answered in a somewhat timely fashion? It’s your chance to “think out loud,” so send your questions, comments, and local stories to jrbroadcaster@gmail.com. We’ll share mailbag comments/Facebook posts/Tweets right here! Would appreciate the follow on Twitter, @JRbroadcaster…and join in on Facebook, www.facebook.com/john.rooke ...
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