The final score of 92-88 is a pleasant mirage for the Orlando Magic.  The game was never really close.  The Celtics never lost control and despite the stupidity of running the clock down starting in the 3rd quater, the Celtics had the game well in hand.

The Orlando Magic were riding the high of two easy sweeps and entered game one with the mindset that the Celtics would roll over for them too.  Not so fast my friends. 

The Celtics, playing like the old cats schooling the young guns at your local park courts, bullied, battered and bruised the Magic into submission Sunday.  Kendrick Perkins, Rasheed Wallace, and Glen Davis each pulverized Dwight Howard into playing a stunningly quiet game. 

Howard, who looked unstoppable against the Atlanta Hawks, was frustrated and taking out of the game by the Celtics aggressive tactics.  They had him so bothered he shot 3-10 from the field and committed an amazing seven turnovers.  Howard was basically taken completely out of the game.  By doing this the Celtics were able to stay attached to the Magic's plethoria of 3-point shooters.   The one player who was able to get going early for the Magic was Vince Carter.  Normally Carter avoids contact and is content fro hoist fade away jump shots but Sunday he attacked the rim like a man on a mission.  

The Celics balanced scoring was paced by Ray Allen.  He always moves beautifully without the ball and his perfect form shot is a thing of beauty, but on Sunday he was attacking the Magic off the dribble as well.  His ability to deceptively manuever around his defender and then attack the cup took the Magic off guard.  Paul Pierce was an efficient scorer, but more importanly he rebounded the ball consistently.  When Pierce is scoring and rebounding, like Sunday, the Celtics are tough to beat.

The game was very sloppy and both teams have a lot to improve on before game two on Tuesday.  The Magic need to find a way to get Howard invloved on offense.  His best bet is going to be to hustle down the floor, get posted deep in the post early and attack the rim.  Also they need to stick with line-up of Jameer Nelson, J.J. Redick, Vince Carter, Marcin Gortat and Dwight Howard.  Those were their 5 best on Sunday, and their size and skill match-up well with the Celtics. The Celtics need to clean-up the turnovers and get more low-post offense.  Also, don't run the clock down.  Stay in attack mode all game.    

I have tried to read, listen to and watch as much about the Red Sox this Spring as I possibly can.  It is very interesting to hear the updates but it is making me jones for the Regular Season, that much more.  I'm going crazy waiting for Opening Day.

First, is anyone else concerned that Mike Cameron is our 37 year old Centerfielder.  He stated earlier this Spring that he has been fortunate to not have leg problems but then he pulled his hamstring.  I'm not a professional athelete, not even close, but that is a hard injury to heal and one that is very easy to reinjure.  His glove has been dipped in gold, in the past, but is he really our best option in the vast expanse of Fenway's centerfield?  Can we expect him to play everyday or even 100 games.  I think no, and I have a suggestion.  I'm a huge Josh Reddick fan.  He has a pure lefty swing at the plate, ever improving power and can flat-out fly.  He has been a proven performer all Spring and seems primed to have a great year.  I don't see why we don't allow Cameron to have a lesser role or release him and allow Reddick the chance to shine. I truly believe he has special talent and is going to be an on-base machine.  He might not hit for much power but I see him hitting .300 every season for a long time. 

Second, I'm loving everything I've seen from Jeremy Hermida.  Every at-bat I've seen he has put a great swing on the ball. He has tremendous balance at the plate and freakish plate coverage.  He slashes line drives all over the field and I'm impressed by his simple approach at the plate.  He needs to play.  I'm a huge J.D. Drew fan, and I think he has been underrated during his time in Boston and it's a shame, so I'm not proclaiming Hermida should replace Drew, I just want to see him get as many at-bats as possible.  I think Drew is at his best playing all out for about 120 games a year.  Make 30 or so of those games at DH and you have 72 games in RF for Hermida.  Then give him another 30 or so games in the other outfield spots and you can 100 plus games and 400 plus at-bats for him.  I think with 400 at-bats we can reasonably expect 15-20 homeruns, 70-80 RBIs and a .280-.300 average. 

Third, I'm very concerned by the lack of results from David Ortiz this Spring.  Normally I don't care about Spring Training stats but coming off such an up and down season Big Papi needs to see some good results to build-up his confidence.  He needs to drive the ball and drive-in some runs. He needs to pick it up or we might need to consider a new DH.  I believe he can turn it around and I have Faith in him, but I'd like to see something before the games count.  David Ortiz will have a good year this season but he needs to more consistent than last year.

In closing I'd like to send out heartfelft prayers to Ryan Westmoreland and his family.  They are going through a scarey time right now and need everyone's support and prayers.  Ryan you are in my thoughts and prayers.  Also, I'd like to send out prayers to Jason Varitek's father.  I hope you both get through these hard times and regain your health.

I wanted to post a journalist style blog about Nomar's career and about how he is about to begin working for ESPN.  I was prepared to list all the stats and all the awards, but this is our Nomah.  This guy was Ted William's favorite hitter.  He's our guy.

I remember how thrilled I was in 1997 when he made the team out of Spring Training.  I remember how thrilled I was seeing him hit lead-off and still hitting for power.  I remember how great is was to watch him and Ted Williams talk hitting.  I remember the joy he played with and the glow that surrounded him in the early years. He seemed to radiate joy on the ballfield.

Once the injuries started piling up, after the 2000 season, the electricity left his game, but the joy seemed to stay.  Unfortunately in 2003 and more 2004 the love seemed to go too.  He became more moody and more senistive.  A dark cloud followed him around and he appeared more diminished.  

I choose to remember 1997-2000 Nomah.  I choose to remember him in his full glory, stroking line drives from gap-to-gap and being a doubles machine.  I choose to remember him as an exciting player who brought me so much joy over the years.

As an aside: Many people, on other sites, are already making cheap shots at Nomar about taking steroid or other PEDs. If you don't have proof or evidents don't  point fingers at anyone.  It seems everyone is guilty until proven innocent on baseball anyone, don't add on.  I hope and pray that Nomar was clean and choose to believe so unless there is proof.

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES ANTHONY NOMAR GARCIAPARRA!!!!

Comments

	Very well written. Nomar...one of my all-time favorite Red Sox players. 03/10/2010 6:21 PM
Obi-#Wan..

Fellow Sawxheads, I know it is early to speculate on our Red Sox 2010 batting order, but I got to thinking about it last night and wanted to share my thoughts.

My first thought was that Terry Francona would roll this out:

1. Jacoby Ellsbury

2. Dustin Pderoia

3. David Ortiz

4. Victor Martinez

5. Kevin Youkilis

6. Adrian Beltre

7. J.D. Drew

8. Mike Cameron

9. Marco Scutaro

That is a solid batting order.  If everyone plays to their potential, the Red Sox should score some runs.

But then I got to thinking about the most fearsome batting order that I have ever seen, the one that kept me up late hoping the Red Sox would survive their attack.  In 1999 the Cleveland Indians had a powerful line-up that was balanced and could beat you in so many ways.

Their batting order looked like this (most of the time):

1. Kenny Lofton

2. Omar Vizquel

3. Roberto Alomar

4. Manny Ramirez

5. Jim Thome

6. David Justice

7. Travis Fryman

8. Will Cordero

9. Einar Diaz

The Indians first 3 hitters could all get on-base, steal bases, handle the bat, and generally cause the opposition huge headaches.  4-8 all had power and knew how to drive-in big runs.  Diaz was an OK catcher who provided a little hitting.  They were consistent all year and could score runs in so many ways.  They could beat you power, by grinding out at-bats, or with their legs. 

I think the Red Sox can maximize their offense and get the most out of their order by doing a very similiar thing this season.  My ideal 2010 Red Sox line-up would look like this: 

1. Jacoby Ellsbury

2. Marco Scutaro

3. Dustin Perdoia

4. Victor Martinez

5. Kevin Youkilis

6. David Ortiz

7. Adrian Beltre

8. J.D. Drew

9. Mike Cameron

The Red Sox top three can all get on-base, steal bases, handle the bat and casue the opposition major headaches.  4-9 all are capable of hitting 20-30 homeruns and can drive-in big runs.  Ortiz doesn't have the pressure of hitting 3rd of 4th, and by having them hit in the bottom third of the order we can limit the stress of Beltre and Cameron to produce right away. 

Plus, I love hitting Pedroia third.  His swagger is contagious and can you image the junk he will talk hitting in the middle of the line-up?  Remember the pure joy he and the whole team had when he hit clean-up in 2008?  I think hitting third will allow him to be more of a run producer and the Red Sox really need that. 

So, this is my take.  Let me know what you think.

Comments

	Kips right the bottom half of our linup is just CRAP !! no one hits for average no one WALKS they all strike out way to much. the curtin has been pulled back on the the mighty OZ, 01/23/2010 12:51 PM
MONSTAH

	With Drew, Ortiz, Beltre Cameron you are looking at average between .250-.260...hardly "talent" in my opinion. I hope that I am dead wrong and that Ortiz can come back to his .300 glory years and that Cameron and Beltre will hammer the crap out of the Green Monster. I just don't have any faith in Cam, Beltre, Drew, and Papi (a little more faith in Papi, but time is running short for him too). History (at least recent history) shows us that Cam, Beltre and Drew are half worthless. ...View More...View Less 01/22/2010 8:12 AM
K Dub-Fe..

	No matter how you spin the order the bottom of it is absolutely horrible. I think that you have to leave Scutaro down in the order because he is the only one after Youk that stands a chance at making something happen...JD Drew, Ortiz, Beltre, Cameron are all automatic outs. 01/21/2010 3:52 PM
K Dub-Fe..

		I think our bats will surprise us this year. No way are Drew, Ortiz, Beltre or Cameron automatic outs, way too much talent and way too much pride. 01/21/2010 4:02 PM
	Red Sox ..

With the majority of the NBA at the mathematical half-way point of there season, I thought I would hand out mid-season awards and look at how my pre-season picks are looking.

Most Improved Player:  In the pre-season I picked J.R. Smith of the Denver Nuggets.  I believed he would take his strong playoff performance into this new year and really play well.  I didn't factor in the 10-game suspension at the start of the season (that was stupid) or the fact that he is a cronic underachiever that seems to only care about his own stats.  On the other hand, Houston Rockets sparkplug Aaron Brooks has spearheaded the Rockets scappy approach and is the catalyst for all they do.  His shooting, penetration and improved defense has the Rockets in the playoff hunt.  I'm glad I got this one wrong. 

Defensive Player of the Year: In the pre-season I picked Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics.  I would justify that pick to the death if it wasn't for all his injuries and games missed.  Plus, Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace has been sick this year on defense.  His video game hops, ultra-quick reactions, and uncanny anticipation has made him a defensive whiz.  This guy makes defense fun to watch, and a highlight film experience.  He is an amazing talent.

6th Man of the Year: In the pre-season I picked Jason Terry of the Dallas Mavericks.  He is still having a great year but has been inconsistent.  I'd still keep him in the conversation but he has been clearly overshadowed.  The Atlanta Hawks new guard Jamal Crawford has stole the show.  He hasn't started a game all year but is always in the crunch time line-up.  He is the perfect example of the saying: It's not who starts but who finishes.  He is a clutch performer and enters the game with great swagger.  He is true difference maker. 

Rookie of the Year:  In the pre-season I picked Tyreke Evans of the Sacramento Kings.  Before Blake Griffin was hurt I made the call on Evans.  He has an NBA body and an NBA game.  He is impossible to keep from the basket and despite his rookie status he lives on the free-throw line.  Even with the early injury to Kevin Martin he was able to keep the Kings in contention.  He is becoming a true star in this League and will be a superstar soon.  He is LeBron-lite.

Coach of the Year:  In the pre-seaon I picked Flip Saunders of the Washington Wizards.  My thinking was the Wizards would improve so much from last year.  Agent Zero would be back and the addition of Randy Foye and Mike Miller would make them so much more dangerous.  That was very stupid of me.  The team has imploded.  Even before the Arenas gun situation they were playing horrible basketball.  I can't defend that pick at all.  The mid-seaon winner is Scott Brooks of the Oklahoma City Thunder.  First, they have already reached their win total from last year with 23 wins.  Second, he has a young team thriving on the defensive end.  He has a once in a generation force in Kevin Durant buying into his philosophy. His team makes youthful mistakes but they are so much better because of him.  I'm so happy for him.

Most Valuable Player: In the pre-seaon I picked LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavs.  I could easily justify this pick and keep it the same.  I could go on and on about his numbers.  I could talk about the Cavs record.  But in good conscience I don't believe he is mid-season MVP.  I think he and Kobe Bryant are still in the conversation, but neither deserve the "award".  The mid-season MVP is Carmelo Anthony.  He entered the season in the best shape of his life.  He is scoring at will and never seems to get tired.  He is passing better and, is actually focused and determined at the defensive end.  His rebounding is much better too.  He is the Nuggets go to guy when they need a bucket.