I really don't want Radmanovic on the court. It looked like he was playing for the Lakers tonight. He was putting up shots like he was a star player and he played no defense at all. I never seen a role player make as many mistakes as he did but still stay on the floor. I would put him at the top of my list for reasons the Lakers lost tonight.

Walton really hasn't been the same since Gasol got there. I don't think Kobe took bad shots I think he missed a lot of makable shots.

Question: If the Celtics win this series, especially if in 5 or 6 games, where does that put Paul Pierce in regards to NBA history?

If they win the title, is he a hall of famer?
Is he a top 75 player?
Top 50?

I'm not sure of any of those questions, but I think that top 50 would require a couple more titles.

Bill Simmons has repeatedly said Top 75, but Im not sure. I guess he would be, but Ive never really considered it before. I really only think of players in terms of Top 50 and Top 10. I've always felt Pierce was very underrated. I think if the C's win the series and PP keeps playing like he has the last two games, that'll be significant. He's clearly been the MVP of the Finals so far.

I dont agree with Bob Ryan, but its worth noting that he's old as dirt and respected in basketball circles and has repeatedly said Pierce is the best offensive player the Celtics ever had. I strongly disagree, but its a pretty ringing endorsement from someone who has seen the best of the best. I really dont think he could match Bird in any category of basketball really, but thats not an insult whatsoever.

In order to be consistent, I must say that I am still growing tired of the officiating in the NBA. I want the Celtics to win the series, but the discrepancy in home and away calls was way off again. I can only guess the same rules will apply for the Lakers the next three games.

NBA officiating needs to be addressed in the off-season, but it won't be.

Both games were brutal. It wasn't just the calls on Kobe either. There were a ton of calls that should have been made that weren't and there were even more calls that were made that shouldn't have been made. It really takes the fun out of the series. Even if they give the Lakers the same calls at home it still won't make it right. Pierce traveled on the play that they called a foul on in the last min and that ended the game right there.

It's pointless to even talk about travels in the NBA. That breakaway dunk after the steal had at least 4 steps.

I am done complaining about any travels in the NBA because it's a consistently crazy interpretation of the rule.

I'm declaring a victory without research.

Both games were brutal. It wasn't just the calls on Kobe either. There were a ton of calls that should have been made that weren't and there were even more calls that were made that shouldn't have been made. It really takes the fun out of the series. Even if they give the Lakers the same calls at home it still won't make it right. Pierce traveled on the play that they called a foul on in the last min and that ended the game right there.

And even if Donaghy was an isolated incident I felt like Napoleon did very little to address an issue that plagues the NBA, fair or not.

Stern is the master of his domain at spin control. Notice how quickly the Kobe incident blew over. Same with the Donaghy incident. He's very good at minimizing bad publicity. I agree, Im not sure he did alot to correct officiating although I dont believe it is rigged. I just think refs are way too impressionable during games with good home crowds.

I agree on a certain level. But since moving back to Seattle a year ago I've followed him very closely through TV, local blogs, radio and papers and the guy is full of shit and is constantly contradicting himself.

I've lived in the Midwest and traveling the area as well as the West coast, officiating is a major complaint. I don't buy many of the arguments I hear but it seems to be a problem the NBA needs to seriously address.

In a 2,319-word entry on his blog, 38Pitches.com, Schilling provided some perspective on Celtics-Lakers Game 2 from his front row seats at the Garden last night: "Who doesn't know Kobe Bryant right?," asks Schilling. "I only know what I have heard, starting awhile back with the entire Shaq debacle. I don't really have an opinion one way or the other on or about him other than to know that people feel he might be one of the 4-5 greatest players to ever lace it up. What I do know is what I got to see up close and hear, was unexpected. From the first tip until about 4 minutes left in the game I saw and heard this guy bitch at his teammates. Every TO he came to the bench pissed, and a few of them he went to other guys and yelled about something they weren't doing, or something they did wrong. No dialog about 'hey let's go, let's get after it' or whatever. He spent the better part of 3.5 quarters pissed off and ranting at the non-execution or lack of, of his team. Then when they made what almost was a historic run in the 4th, during a TO, he got down on the floor and basically said 'Let's f'ing go, right now, right here' or something to that affect.


"I am not making this observation in a good or bad way, I have no idea how the guys in the NBA play or do things like this, but I thought it was a fascinating bit of insight for me to watch someone in another sport who is in the position of a team leader and how he interacted with his team and teammates. Watching the other 11 guys, every time out it was high fives and 'Hey nice work, let's get after it' or something to that affect. He walked off the floor, obligatory skin contact on the high five, and sat on the bench stone faced or pissed off, the whole game. Just weird to see another sport and how it all works. I would assume that's his style and how he plays and what works for him because when I saw the leader board for scoring in the post season his name sat up top at 31+ a game, can't argue with that. But as a fan I was watching the whole thing, Kobe, his teammates and then the after effects of conversations. He'd yell at someone, make a point, or send a message, turn and walk away, and more than once the person on the other end would roll eyes or give a 'whatever dude' look."

Observing the Celtics' efforts, Schilling was clearly impressed with Kevin Garnett and how he handles himself on the court. "His eyes are on the floor, or the ball, all game," writes Schilling. "What an incredible pleasure it is to watch and be a fan of. I am blown away in that he came out of high school, something that can be a huge disadvantage, and has ALWAYS maintained who he was purported to be ...

"Last night KG goes to the line, Lamar Odom (who I became a fan of last night) is saying 'Hey KG why don't you help on the ball down here?' Pointing to the paint, and I am guess referencing the fact that KG wasn't down in the paint mixing it up. He says it again, loudly, KG doesn't even acknowledge him, and sinks both. Impressive, total focus."

More from Schilling:


On Lakers center Pau Gasol: "I don't know much about the NBA beyond some of the star players and the famous teams. I heard that the Lakers got Gasol in a horrible steal of a deal and that the league should have investigated the trade for some sort of punishable crime. I saw a 7 footer last night who grabbed like 4 rebounds and spent the entire game whining about getting fouled."

I think they need to have Fisher and Farmar run around with Ray, Kobe guard Rondo but double team whoever has the ball, and count on Rondo not being able to beat them with jumpers. Kobe would also prevent Rondo from getting 16 assists in one game.

I dont care what Zach says.

most people don't.

Michelle Tafoia still looks kind of cute for a women her age. She's gotta be early 40s.

But I can tell with her. She was a nice piece of ass in her 20s into her 30s.