El Guapo's Ghost Rambles on about the Red Sox

THE NINE FINEST TWEETS FROM LAST WEEK

1) The Lakers on a “Yankee” bus - further proof both teams are working for the devil.

2) Dear Sports Media, The Celtics 17 banners trumps all conversations about the NBA's best franchise. Please proceed with filling up air time.

3) RT @AmyKNelson: Hearing about violence in LA, makes me appreciate being in New Orleans when Saints won. Just pure joy.

4) RT @Pflanns: Just saw Maria Menounos in bedazzled Pierce jersey.// here is a pic via my TV on CSNNE

5) @HackswithHaggs it is time for John Lackey's free ride in this town to end. He has been such a disappointment.

6) Could Felix Doubront eventually be part of the Red Sox pen by throwing his fastball and change from the left side then go back to SP next year?

7) After @CouncilorKaplan’s child was harassed on the phone for voting in favor of ending city business with Arizona, I thought she may needed a laugh - @billmaher crowned AZ the stupidest state watch here

8) Mario Batali on Charlie Rose affirms my decision to wait before going to the Farm House Tap & Grill in Burlington, VT. Batali says 3 months.

9) It looks like both Beckett and Ellsbury are scheduled to return after the All-Star Break. Is a big run coming after the break?

THE NINE FINEST TWEETS FROM LAST WEEK

1) Dear Readers, I'm looking for position in Financial Planning & Analysis. I have 10 yrs experience. Any help is appreciated - resume

2) I hate the Lakers but I have much respect for Andrew Bynum playing well with a torn meniscus. He is a Laker that isn't spongy.

3) Classic Red via @SurvivingGrady:Nerds like me do..makes passes at girls-and NESN commentators-who wear glasses.

4) RT @thesulk: Women wearing Kobe jerseys think she was asking for it.

5) Ellsbury is @API for a min of two weeks, then a minors rehab, I would not be surprised if we don’t see him again until after the All-Star Break.

6) Drinking Goose Island IPA for the first time in sometime. It is great! I’ll have to get to Plattsburgh, NY to buy and drink more.

7) @becks58 I wouldn't be surprised to learn ESPN didn't communicate the USA-England kick off time but pre-game start time on purpose so we watch ads.

8) @denisleary what's up with you in a Rescue Me commercial with Jeter? Here is the proof:


9) Top notch story on draft strategy RT @alexspeier: ...Specifically, how Red Sox '06 draft created need for 'the bridge'

THE NINE FINEST TWEETS FROM LAST WEEK

1) What gets analyzed more LeBron James’ interview with Larry King or Elena Kagan's upcoming Senate hearing?

2) Who is worse Laker or Yankees fans? Of course, the Jack Nicholsons of the world are a special type of DBs. Haha

3) Oil Spill was caused by BP not a US government institution. US government is not in the oil drilling business; difference between Katrina

4) From @Ken_Rosenthal re: david ortiz - gm says "It’s the biggest turnaround I’ve ever seen.”

5) Interesting Via @bottomlinesox Dice-K, Lackey, Beckett signed long term, aging, Red Sox could be in trouble going fwd.

6) RT @drjefflo: had my Chinese food in honor of Red

7) If a computer can do the job better than an ump, then MLB should move in that direction. The game is so far behind re: tech. Watch tennis.

8) Paging Peter Griffin via @TLTickets: Kiss tickets are on sale today for select dates in the US-miss out on presales


9) Twitter got Rondo-ed!!!!! Follow @RajonRondo

THE FINALS - CELTICS NEED GREAT GUARD PLAY


Ron Artest has historically been able to contain Paul Pierce at the small forward position. At the other forward spot, Kevin Garnett has shut down each starting four throughout the playoffs. Michael Beasley averaged 10.4 points in the five playoff games versus the Celtics and KG. During the year, his scoring mean was 14.8 or 4.4 fewer points. The Big Ticket and the C’s also keep Antawan Jamison and Rashard Lewis below their scoring averages - 6.9 and 5.9, respectfully. If the forward trends continue into The Finals, the two offensive forwards - Pau Gasol and Pierce - will have a tough time putting up big numbers. (Other than in the Cleveland series, when KG had either a quickness or size advantage, he has struggled offensively.) Hence, the Celtics guards will need to be huge against Kobe Bryant and others.

Whomever is not being checked by Bryant has to be a force and the offense must run through that guard. Either Rondo (BTW, when did he become a one name star?) has to create off the dribble or Ray Allen has to come off baseline picks to knock down jumpers. Derek Fisher can not guard anyone and has to be exploited for the Celtics to bring home banner #18.

X-Factors/Questions:

1) The Centers: The fluid in Andrew Bynum’s knee is back after being drained. If he does not play or plays fewer minutes, it limit’s the Lakers rebounding advantage, puts Kendrick Perkins on Gasol and gives KG an easier match up with Lamar Odom. Perkins is one technical foul away from being suspended a game. Withough Perk, the Celtics have an issue in the paint and could further expose Glen Davis to the length of the Lakers.

2) If Bryant takes Rondo, does Phil Jackson play Shannon Brown at 6-4 to have a taller player try to disrupt Allen’s jump shot? Allen will destroy Fisher.

3) Does a role player unexpectedly go unconscious from downtown in a quarter to steal a game like Rasheed Wallace, Derek Fisher, Nate Robinson, Jordan Farmar?

Prediction:

Going with more heart than head, Celtics in seven. Bynum is ineffective, Bryant runs out of gas and we get another parade. BEAT LA! BEAT LA! BEAT LA!