The last time I cared very much about NBA hoops was the late 80s. These were the twilight years of Celtics greats Bird, McHale, and Parish - The Big Three - when they were showing their age. After dominating the early and mid 80s, the Boston Celtics were tiring. Bird was seen lying on his stomach during timeouts or rests because of his ailing back. Other guys were getting beat down the court. It was sad seeing this happen, but we had terrific prospects. Len Bias, from the University of Maryland, and, years later, Reggie Lewis, out of Northeastern. Bias never ended up putting on a Celtics jersey for a true game; he died of a cocaine overdose before his rookie year. And Lewis, an All-Star, died in 1993 after only playing a few seasons, of a heart ailment.
So it has been a tough time being a Celtics fans these last 15 or so years, especially if you grew up with the Celts winning their division and sometimes the NBA Championship. It is probably a bit like it is being a Yankees fan right now, after witnessing celebrations in the mid to late 90s.
But this season, the Celtics went out and bought - and traded for - some serious talent. They got Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. C0mbined with Paul Pierce, the expectations were high all season.
After an excellent regular season, the Celtics got past the Cavaliers and Pistons and ended up, just like in the 80s, playing the Lakers for the title.
It was the first NBA series I watched - actually carved time out of my schedule for - since, well, Jordan played. The NBA hasn't been too exciting for awhile.
The personalities were not the same as the 80s. It wasn't Bird vs. Magic. Kareem wasn't hitting hook shots. Byron Scott was not a three-point threat. Danny Ainge was still there, this time as Celtics president/GM, not as Boston's point guard. Former Celtics point guard Dennis Johnson has passed away.
But it was good basketball. And there was tension between the teams. There was trash talking. There were outstanding players on either side. The Celts were stacked. The Lakers have Kobe Bryant, who had a weaker supporting cast.
Boston prevailed 4-2, winning at home, in the BankNorth Garden - the building has gone from Boston Garden to FleetCenter to BankNorth Garden since the Celtics last won a championship. A lot has changed since 1986. Sports buildings are usually named for company sponsors. Even the lowly Hartford Civic Center is now the XL Center. Basketball is not played the same. It is less a team sport, and more a show of individuals' skills. We went from a generally successful Republican president (Reagan) to an awful one (Bush II).
But it was nice to see, in 2008, an oldtime rivalry rekindled. Celtics vs. Lakers. NBA championship basketball in June right up I-95. The players aren't the same. That time is gone. But the series touched off an energy and some healthy nostalgia to remind us that professional basketball can be exciting and worth spending three hours watching, rooting for the team you used to as a kid.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Tim Russert
The news that Tim Russert, NBC's extraordinary newsman and political commentator, died yesterday, is still radiating through my house, as my wife and I - both avid Russert fans - sit on our couch in disbelief. We can't seem to stop watching the replays of NBC's special tributes, commentary on MSNBC, and reruns of old programs and interviews Russert had done.
This is the kind of news you don't expect to hear. The guy was 58. He is on TV all the time, seemingly daily in this, an election year, and he has looked healthy. Russert had a professional and personal energy that not only made him interesting to watch and easy to understand, but it allowed millions of viewers think he was their friend. Think of how much the casual watcher might know about Tim Russert - that he was from Buffalo, his dad was a garbageman, his son recently graduated from Boston College. Russert moderated Sunday morning's "Meet the Press", the longtime political program, and he was the NBC Washington Bureau Chief, but he seemed to so down-to-earth that, he was more like a friendly next-door neighbor, or the favorite uncle.
Russert passed away yeterday afternoon at his desk while writing for this Sunday's program. He died of a sudden heart attack. He had just returned from Italy, where he vacationed with his wife and son. He flew back before they did. What a horrible flight back to United States for them.
I remember, as many viewers do, when he broke out a dry erase white board during the 2000 election between Bush and Gore, trying to point out to people how many electoral votes were needed for each candidate to win. His early morning analysis of major political events put otherwise complicated or boring news into simple, understandable and entertaining terms.
NBC has lost a great journalist, and Americans have lost a dedicated and warm personality. Hearing anecdotes from his colleagues about how special he was has been moving, particularly Campbell Brown's story of when she gave birth to a son and Russert sent a note to the little boy saying how lucky he was to have such wonderful parents and to seek him out for an internship when he was old enough. He celebrated people's triumphs and shared in their grief. There just aren't a lot of people like that around.
A loss so many. His impact was profound. One commentator said journalism will not see another Tim Russert because of the time that Russert grew up, the 1950s, in a blue-collar city and neighborhood, with parents who instilled values. That commentator was right. It is even more a shame that Russert died on the eve of Father's Day weekend, during an election year that cries out for expert commentary and analysis. Russert's pastor said he "went home to God."
Russert, a devout Catholic, is, as colleague Matt Lauer said, writing on his white board right now, lining up interviews with notables in his new dimension.
Russert's passing leaves a gaping hole for NBC, on Sunday mornings, and in many households across America. Tuning into Nightly News, or the Today Show, or to a political debate, many of which he hosted, will not be the same.
This is the kind of news you don't expect to hear. The guy was 58. He is on TV all the time, seemingly daily in this, an election year, and he has looked healthy. Russert had a professional and personal energy that not only made him interesting to watch and easy to understand, but it allowed millions of viewers think he was their friend. Think of how much the casual watcher might know about Tim Russert - that he was from Buffalo, his dad was a garbageman, his son recently graduated from Boston College. Russert moderated Sunday morning's "Meet the Press", the longtime political program, and he was the NBC Washington Bureau Chief, but he seemed to so down-to-earth that, he was more like a friendly next-door neighbor, or the favorite uncle.
Russert passed away yeterday afternoon at his desk while writing for this Sunday's program. He died of a sudden heart attack. He had just returned from Italy, where he vacationed with his wife and son. He flew back before they did. What a horrible flight back to United States for them.
I remember, as many viewers do, when he broke out a dry erase white board during the 2000 election between Bush and Gore, trying to point out to people how many electoral votes were needed for each candidate to win. His early morning analysis of major political events put otherwise complicated or boring news into simple, understandable and entertaining terms.
NBC has lost a great journalist, and Americans have lost a dedicated and warm personality. Hearing anecdotes from his colleagues about how special he was has been moving, particularly Campbell Brown's story of when she gave birth to a son and Russert sent a note to the little boy saying how lucky he was to have such wonderful parents and to seek him out for an internship when he was old enough. He celebrated people's triumphs and shared in their grief. There just aren't a lot of people like that around.
A loss so many. His impact was profound. One commentator said journalism will not see another Tim Russert because of the time that Russert grew up, the 1950s, in a blue-collar city and neighborhood, with parents who instilled values. That commentator was right. It is even more a shame that Russert died on the eve of Father's Day weekend, during an election year that cries out for expert commentary and analysis. Russert's pastor said he "went home to God."
Russert, a devout Catholic, is, as colleague Matt Lauer said, writing on his white board right now, lining up interviews with notables in his new dimension.
Russert's passing leaves a gaping hole for NBC, on Sunday mornings, and in many households across America. Tuning into Nightly News, or the Today Show, or to a political debate, many of which he hosted, will not be the same.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Women singers
It occurred to me that, generally, I don't listen to women singers very much. This realization came when I shuffled my mp3 player and hit about two female musicians. This is unintentional. But I think there are more men music artists than female artists, no?
Anyway, there are some females who I can stand performing. Some, I actually like.
Top 10.
1. Norah Jones
2. Sheryl Crow
3. Dido
4. Carole King
5. Bonnie Raitt
6. Alicia Keys
7. ABBA (half-girl)
8. Faith Hill
9. Anita Baker
10. Natalie Merchant/10,000 Maniacs
As for female singers I REALLY dislike.
1. Madonna
2. Cyndi Lauper
3. Britney Spears
4. Melissa Etheridge
5. Alanis Morrisette
6. The Wilson Sisters (Is that their name?)
7. Heart
8. Stevie Nicks
9. Any American Idol woman singer
10. Michael Jackson
Anyway, there are some females who I can stand performing. Some, I actually like.
Top 10.
1. Norah Jones
2. Sheryl Crow
3. Dido
4. Carole King
5. Bonnie Raitt
6. Alicia Keys
7. ABBA (half-girl)
8. Faith Hill
9. Anita Baker
10. Natalie Merchant/10,000 Maniacs
As for female singers I REALLY dislike.
1. Madonna
2. Cyndi Lauper
3. Britney Spears
4. Melissa Etheridge
5. Alanis Morrisette
6. The Wilson Sisters (Is that their name?)
7. Heart
8. Stevie Nicks
9. Any American Idol woman singer
10. Michael Jackson
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