GIVING CHICAGO HOPE

Championship teams have a killer instinct. When cornered, they strike hardest. When an opponent is down, they level the final blow. Thus far, the Celtics have yet to show this killer instinct.

After the blowout in Game 3, the Bulls outlasted the Celtics in double OT. The C's had a 5 point lead in the first OT, but couldn't salt away the game. Paul Pierce was a nonfactor, Glen Davis was inconsistent, Ray Allen's clutchness went to waste, and Ben Gordon was on fire.

Davis missed a few lay-ups in the 1st OT that he probably should have hit. and overall, Big Baby didn't have a great game. That being said, it's unfortunate that the Celtics NEEDED Glen Davis to have a great game in order to win. Why was this necessary? Because Paul Pierce stank up the joint.

Pierce may have had 29 points, but he was 9 of 24 shooting. That game tying 3 Gordon hit to send the game to double overtime, guess who was covering him? Paul Pierce.

Some much needed venting:

Stephon Marbury is a bust and his head tattoo is lame.

Tony Allen sucks.

Mikki Moore is completely useless. Do they just pick him up as a hitch hiker on the way to the arena every game? The C's might as well play with 4 men instead of having him in the game.

Last year, the Celtics didn't give up 4th quarter leads in the playoffs. They simply did not allow it. But Sunday afternoon in Chicago, they did. So instead of having a young team down and nearly out, with an almost unassailable 3-1 series lead. Now, a young team can taste blood. The Bulls have momentum on their side, and the series essentially starts over as a best of 3.

Game 5 is Tuesday night at 7.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

PATRIOTS TRADE ELLIS HOBBS TO EAGLES

The Pats' shipped CB/KR Ellis Hobbs to the Eagles for a pair of 5th round picks. The Pats then traded those picks for a 4th rounder and a 6th rounder (they gave up 137th and 141st and received the 123rd and 198th).

Hobbs impressed as a kickoff returner, but when your #1 CB's most impressive performances are on the kick return, it's a good indicator that something is wrong. The Pats were one of the worst teams against deep passes last year.

And to me, Ellis Hobbs will always be The Guy Who Let Plaxico By:

PATS FINALLY SELECT A LINEBACKER

With a compensatory pick from losing Asante Samuel, the Pats finally took a linebacker, who played OLB in school, but will probably play inside in the NFL. South Florida's Tyrone McKenzie.



He's 6' 1" 243 lbs. He does seem to have the work ethic to play in the NFL. He once quit school to work 11pm to 7am to support his mother and sisters. Once again, it's doubtful he'll make a big impact in 2009, but he could give Bruschi some necessary plays off. He's also adds to the future potential of the position. Instead of hoping Gary Guyton works out, us Pats fans now can hope Guyton OR McKenzie work out.

PATRIOTS DRAFT A RECEIVER, TRADE FOR FUTURE PICKS

In the 3rd round, the Patriots took WR Brandon Tate from North Carolina. This guy was a potential 1st rounder until he tore his MCL 5 games into his senior season. He also tested positive for marijuana at the combine, which is more of an indictment of his intelligence (every player at the combine gets tested and everyone knows that) than his character.

The Patriots don't need a receiver, which is why it's fine to wait for the 3rd round and take a shot on a guy who could wind up as a good NFL receiver. If he doesn't, no big loss.

The Pats obviously have Moss and Welker, along with Joey Galloway, Greg Lewis, and Matthew Slater. Tate could sneak in as a #4 or #5 receiver on the depth chart, and as Moss and Welker get old, Tate could be a very good receiver for the Pats' for years.

Or he could decide to get high even though the NFL substance abuse people will be watching him like a hawk, and literally piss it all away.



The Patriots also traded two of their 3rd round picks for a 7th round pick and a pair of 2nd rounders in the 2010 draft.