I'm following the NBA???

For once I am saying that I am following the NBA again....Somewhat. I still go WHO? when I watch games. I'm shocked by how few NBA players I now have heard of. I have concentrated on other sports for a while so I'm a little out of the loop.

At one point in my life I knew everything about the NBA. I mean everything. I had a book that I got for my birthday that listed player's salaries and I'm pretty sure that even at 10 I knew some of those players salaries.

I'm one of those people that says the NBA hasn't been the same since Michael Jordan has left. I think that's still somewhat true. I remember that 10 years ago I couldn't wait for the basketball games on Christmas and for the "NBA on NBC." I knew the entire Bulls roster, and was always mad that it was Player 98 in NBA Live and not Michael Jordan. (Too compensate for that I somehow decided to make Dickey Simpkens my go to scorer)

I haven't paid much attention to the NBA for a while. I've been a Timberwolves/Kevin Garnett fan. Now I consider myself a Celtics fan...Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett fan. You can call me a band wagoner in the NBA...Wouldn't bother me and I could argue with you on that. I started out as a Bulls fan...now I magically like the Celtics...but at least I have a Lake House in Massachusetts now...that gives me some reason to like them besides them being good.

In baseball, football and college sports I don't bandwagon, I am a Mets, Cowboys and UConn fan no matter what.

I've been following the Celtics past two series. The Bulls series was amazing and I can't believe that they played so many close games and went into overtime so often.

I've been following the Celtics-Magic series more closely. I was really impressed with Big Baby Glen Davis knocking down that jumper to win a game. He was not the player who I wanted to have the ball. I've also been really impressed with Dwight Howard. He is unstoppable...unless he shoots free throws. I knew Howard was really good, I just didn't know he was that good. Ray Allen has had some really clutch moments this post season and I am amazed at how he and Paul Pierce have an ability to lock down, focus and deliver. You can see it in their eyes and you know when they are about to catch fire and help the Celtics win...by 2 points....in 4 overtimes....

Paul Peirce is a great story to me too. He's been a Celtic forever and for most of that time he was losing...a lot. It would be he and Antoine Walker for many years trying to win a championship. It didn't work at all. Peirce was considered a joke. He was always unhappy in Boston and people who didn't really follow the NBA but watched the news would get the impression that he is a real pain to deal with. Within the last two years that perception has transformed into that of a person who is a real leader and real winner. I'd rather have him than Kobe on my team. I think it's remarkable how far the Celtics have gotten this year without KG...a lot of that is a credit to Paul Pierce and his leadership.

I was also really impressed with Rajon Rondo in his last game because of one play. What stuck out in my mind was him following a shot and getting a rebound underneath the hoop. He was around the big guys and got a rebound because he followed a shot. Hustling and the fundamentals are what I love to watch. A lot of other people might prefer the guy who doesn't play defense or hustle, but does take and usually make a lot of shots. (This person also gets most of the attention.) I can't stand those players. I see them in Guyer gym all the time. They are the last players I want on my team and I have no respect for their game. Get after it and help your team win. Rondo's rebound...a point guard in the lane getting a rebound in traffic impressed me. I love watching that.

I also most say that Doc Rivers is a quality individual. I attended he and John Starks Basketball Camp in Stamford during the summer years ago. I always remember Doc because he was so outgoing and so nice. He'd always have something positive to say to us, he'd pose for pictures, sign autographs, was up-beat and enjoyed what he was doing. I love Doc Rivers and I am so glad to see that he is succeeding in Boston.