So being from Boston and knowing Boston fans as well as I do there is basically two ways to look at this. One group will take the Boston of 10 years ago approach, throw in the towel, and simply criticize the Celtics from here on out for their lack of depth or working KG too hard. They will watch the games and enjoy any failure that comes upon them with a told you so attitude.

Group number two looks at it this way. “Who gives a shit. This is Boston bitches, title town USA, How many championships have we won in the past 8 years? Thats what I thought.” Sadly, there is no in between. Most people around here are either arrogant fucks or pessimistic impossibles (no offense to the Boston guys here, I am one of you so I have the right).

Myself and a few others are going into these playoffs pumped up. This is the Celtics chance to really stick it to the rest of the league, and the country. The Celtics are still a great team with great players. They have gone 17-5 without KG this season so all hope is not lost. If the Celtics win, fucking great! If they lose, oh well, it was a great run and they will be back next year. Regardless it has been more fun watching them play these last two seasons than my entire life before. No reason to let some fluke injury ruin the ride.

If you sign them up for soccer, you might want to steer them clear of playing goalie.

I will be the first to admit it, I loved Bud Selig’s newest ploy to make money. I was the first to post about it on the OSN forums, and I have been one of the few in this country that actually looked forward to it. I dismissed the injury concerns and the fact that these guys simply aren’t ready to play 100% just yet. I dismissed the fact that the games truly are meaningless because I desperately wanted to just watch my favorite players duke it out for the first time since October. I was blinded by my own selfish wants until today when it finally hit home.

Dustin Pedroia today strained his oblique after taking extra batting practice and infield drills while working out for Team USA in preparation for tonights second round game against Puerto Rico, the same injury mind you that rendered Josh Beckett all but useless against Tampa Bay last October. You can call me a hypocrite, a flip flopper, whatever you want, but this is bull shit and I am now standing in front of the picket line trying to get rid of this stupid thing. Pedroia is the most important piece of the Boston Red Sox. He is a catalyst in the lineup, on the field, and in the club house. Basically, this guy is the man. Reports are that the strain is mild, but if he misses a single game or is not ready in time for opening day, than it is not worth it for these players to be playing in such a stupid exhibition match. These athletes are being paid zillions of dollars to play for their MLB teams, not to play for the USA. I will bet you anything that good old Bud will be hearing from the Red Sox brass very soon.

I knew there had to be something wrong with me when I was actually on the same side of an argument with Bud Selig, I’m glad I finally got myself straightened out.

ESPN Sportscenter just announced this. Will add details as they become available.

Update-It was injured by a hard slap foul by an opponent on a drive to the basket. Carmelo will visit a specialist tomorrow.

Update-

Well kinda.  Here is the article from a Yahoo! Sports blog. What is your take, Nation?

At the very least, Mr. Jones believes he’s in a position to question Marion Barber’s toughness. Barber didn’t play in Pittsburgh yesterday with calf and pinkie toe injuries, and Jones roundaboutly called him a sissy yesterday. From Star-Telegram.com:

Jones believed Barber’s dislocated right pinkie toe was an injury that he could have played with against Pittsburgh. Before the team boarded for its flight to Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jones was stunned Barber did not make the trip.

After not practicing all week and with an additional sore calf, Barber felt he couldn’t play. Jones said Barber could have taped and braced the toe well enough to allow him to play.

“He can play with that injured toe,” Jones said. “He can play with the soreness and a combination of those things. I see nothing that led us to believe he couldn’t.”

That’s a fantastic way to alienate a running back. I’d love to be there when Jones calls Barber into his office and says, “Awww, does him him a wittle pinkie toe boo-boo?”

I think it’s usually best to tread lightly where another man’s injury is concerned, especially for a guy like Barber, whose toughness, to my knowledge, has never been up for debate before. I’m sure Mr. Jones is frustrated after the loss, but unless he’s dealt with the exact same injuries and performed the exact same tasks he’s asking someone else to perform, it’s probably not wise to call that guy a wuss.

I wouldn’t count on that Barber/Cowboys relationship lasting a whole lot longer. If Jones thinks Barber’s a sissy, and is willing to publicly insult him about it, I can’t see him making Barber a cornerstone of the franchise, either. And I can’t see Barber wanting to play for a guy who thinks he’s Charmin-soft.

Bullpup’s Thoughts:

Now, I have watched Marion Barber run a lot. And although I don’t own the Dallas Cowboys, I don’t think it’s too crazy to say that the word “soft” or any synonym of that word should mentioned in the same breath as Marion Barber.