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Jason Bay Speaks – And Other Top Links

January 22, 2010 By

 Some interesting links out there this morning, as we get ready for championship weekend.

What happened with Jason Bay and the Red Sox - Rob Bradford has Jason Bay breaking his silence on what went wrong with his negotiations with the Red Sox. He and the Red Sox did reach agreement on a new contract back in July, but the team backed out after his physical.

‘Big’ support for ex-WEEI yakker - Jessica Heslam has Pete Sheppard getting plenty of support, and hoping that a gig on 98.5FM might be in his future. The Curt Schilling/WEEI falling out has to be more than just about Sheppard, doesn’t it? Jason Wolfe takes a shot at the ex-Red Sox pitcher in this piece.

Burns sends Sox to extra innings - Chad Finn has filmmaker Ken Burns asking fans to send in their photos and memories of the Red Sox 2004 run to the World Series to him for his sequel to his 1994 PBS documentary ”Baseball.”

Herzlich back at BC practice - Jimmy Golen of the AP has the heartwarming account of Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich getting back on the football field after battling Ewing’s Sarcoma.

Blue Jackets stick it to Bruins - Danny Picard reports on the Bruins 3-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets last night at the Garden.

Savard plays waiting game - Fluto Shinzawa’s notebook has Marc Savard getting closer to a return.

Season of intrigue for Beckett - Gordon Edes says that Josh Beckett could have a new deal this spring, or he could be trade fodder by midseason.

Garnett being counted on to inject life in listless Celtics - Robert Lee has the Celtics eagerly anticipating the return of Kevin Garnett, scheduled for tonight.

New England Ties Run Rampant Through Remaning Super Bowl Contenders - Jeff Howe looks at the numerous area connections on each of the four remaining playoff teams.

NFL prospect keeps eye on homeland - Mike Reiss with a piece on UMass offensive lineman Vladimir Ducasse, a native of Haiti, who is living a dream in the U.S., but hasn’t forgotten where his journey began.

Filed Under: Morning Links

Week Log: From Road Runner To Coyote Across Boston Sports

January 21, 2010 By

Moving from season to season is becoming a bit like an episode of The Road Runner and we the fans got stuck with the part of Wile E. Coyote. First, anemic bats and a Jonathan Papelbon collapse fell on our heads like a giant boulder, causing the thin overhang of a Patriots season to dislodge and drop us onto the roadbed of football mediocrity, where the B’s and C’s are the 18-wheeler bearing down on us on their way to a spring disaster. It sure didn’t seem that long ago when we were the Road Runner, but Jerry Thornton says we’ve been stumbling around of late like Martha Coakley supporters wondering how it all went so bad so fast.

Celtics

Right now, the C’s look like the bigger wreck, going 4-8 over the last twelve after turning an 8-point halftime lead into a 6-point defeat at the hands of the Pistons last night. Celtics Green remembers a not-too-distant past when things used to be the other way around in the second half. Even before a 21-13 meltdown in Motown, Rich Levine had the tables fully turned on the C’s third quarter performances this year. ESPN Boston’s Celtics Blog has the C’s getting flustered by the Pistons’ second-half zone defense.

Celtics Town says Rajon Rondo lacked some much-needed aggression in Monday’s home loss to the Mavericks. Evans Clinchy has the C’s once again in crisis mode looking for backup for Rondo. Speaking of which, this stretch has made Red’s Army rethink their position that Nate Robinson would be a detriment to team chemistry.

LOSCY takes a pictoral look back on the underachieving 1-3 week (does that Nets win really count?) that was. Lex Nihil Novi isn’t concerned about anything that happens in the first 65 games. North Station Sports doesn’t want Kevin Garnett rushed back since there will be no banners to hang without him healthy, but Banner 18? is looking for some electricity produced by his quick return to the lineup tomorrow night. Celtics Life acknowledges KG will never be fully healed, but 85% should be good enough for a banner.

Gino’s Jungle is now choking on the words they used to describe how good Perk’s defense is . . . errrr, was. 4 Sport Boston is frustrated with Rasheed Wallace at the moment but anticipates a turnaround in their attitude by season’s end. Big Baby Davis may only be part of the problem, but CelticsBlog recounts an impressive arsenal of episodes – including last night’s heckler-bashing – that have earned him an appropriate nickname. Green Street tracks the evolution of sharpshooter Eddie House.

Bee-beep.

Bruins

Homecoming after an unopportunistic 1-1-1 California swing was less than stellar this MLK Day, as the B’s went down hard to an Ottawa Senators team they’ve owned. Hockey Independent thinks it’s shameful how the B’s and fans left Tim Thomas hanging on Monday, and advises caution to those jumping on the Tuukka Rask bandwagon. The Hub Of Hockey plays the ‘E’ card in excusing the B’s 5-1 loss to the Senators. However, ESPN Boston’s Bruins Blog is allowing for no excuses with the B’s play coming off the West Coast. Big Bad Blog says not all of this swoon can be blamed on injuries and schedule quirks. Despite flatlining on Monday, Kathryn Tappen says the Black & Gold have more positives than negatives ahead, starting with a two-week Olympics break.

There was one noteworthy accomplishment over the week, as we’ve now been able to attach a face to the B’s problems this season: it belongs to Dennis Wideman. Following his coach’s call-out yesterday, James Murphy says it’s now or never for the beleaguered defenseman to step up. Joe Haggerty calls Wideman a poster child for the B’s paralyzing inconsistency this year. Bruins Blog thinks Wideman needs to stay on the ice for some extra work.

Rink Rap debates whether Peter Chiarelli can pull the ultimate trigger and trade Wideman, who was once a centerpiece acquisition in the GM’s rebuilding program. A day after knocking Ilya Kovalchuk as a trade deadline target, Something’s Bruin says Martin St. Louis is more needed and a better bargain.

Finally, Stanley Cup Of Chowder examines the intricacies of Rask’s Winter Classic mask with its designer – right down to the shredded pinstriped jersey.

Red Sox

Despite the lack of a duck boat parade for two years now, Eric Ortiz thinks the Sox couldn’t have a better leader than Terry Francona.

We’ll start with a few early looks up and down the system. Fenway West examines the Achilles’ heels of the Sox rotation. Full Count has the Mariners’ lock-up of ace Felix Hernandez making Theo’s signing of John Lackey look even better. Boston Blood Sox has the media machine at Yawkey Way making the Jason Bay departure look even better.

Bee-friggin’-beep.

The Bottom Line considers the optimal holding period for Jonathan Papelbon. Although the fans still have a muted love for Paps, Red Sox Monster sees Daniel Bard as the shiny new car in the garage. Fire Brand Of The American League puts a price on the heads of the Sox’ top two prospects – Ryan Westmoreland and Casey Kelly. ESPN Boston’s Red Sox Blog is deep in pitching depth down on the farm.

Better Red Than Dead charts a legacy of Sox Hall-of-Famers that makes the Yankees look like pikers. That legacy now includes Andre Dawson (okay, just barely!), although Sports Central doesn’t know what took them so long.

And never mind healthcare reform, as Boston Sports Blog seems to suggest Massachusetts voters went too far in bouncing Democratic Senate candidate Martha Coakley for her gaff over Curt Schiling’s Yankee allegiance. Boston Dirt Dogs sees a parallel between the Coakley campaign and the Yankees . . . the 2004 Yankees. The Faster Times says Coakley has learned that messing with a Boston sports legend is much worse than messing up his name. WSJ’s The Count calls it the Curse of the Red Sox Gaffe.

The Meat

Schilling may not be aligned with the Yankees, but he apparently is to former WEEI flash guy Pete Sheppard. Surviving Grady has Curt boycotting the station until Sheppard is rehired and also taking back his 38 Pitches blog. Mass Hysteria hopes Sheppard lands on his feet somewhere . . . far from Boston. The Crowe’s Nest says yesterday’s Whiner Line was a classic send-off for Sheppard.

It’s good to bring in some fresh faces. This week, ten blogs got their inaugural linkage here on Week Log, and there’ll be more in the weeks to come as we start up a new MLB season. I could use your help in discovering new blood. E-mail me at [email protected], tweet me @BobEks, or befriend me on Facebook.

Filed Under: Week Log

Questions on the Pete Sheppard Layoff

January 21, 2010 By

Entercom/WEEI is insisting that yesterday’s announcement about the departure of Pete Sheppard is strictly for economic reasons, but there are still a lot of unanswered questions about the timing and details of this announcement.

Why on a Wednesday? Couldn’t get through until Friday? Couldn’t have done it last Friday before a three-day weekend?

If this move was solely economic, this was the best way they could cut costs? Why not cut the Mike Adams show altogether and just go with ESPN programming at night? How about firing Adams and giving Sheppard that spot?

If it was strictly economic, why is Curt Schilling so ticked off? He said yesterday he wouldn’t be on the WEEI airwaves until Pete was rehired, and has moved his 38Pitches Blog off of WEEI.com and back to its original domain.

The Entercom release wording seems rather final. The standard policy for WEEI is that once you leave, you’re dead. You never get mentioned again. A few who been announced as no longer being employed there, such as Bob Neumeier and Larry Johnson (after the Mustard and Johnson show was cancelled) have been back on the WEEI airwaves. It doesn’t seem like they’re expected to have Sheppard back on.  

He signed his last contract in May of 2007. The article quoted below in 2008 stated that Sheppard had two more years remaining on his contract, which would have it ending in May of this year. Is he getting paid the rest of the contract? If so, why release him now? To allow him to find another job with a few months of pay still coming?

Was he flirting with 98.5 for the role that Andy Gresh was eventually hired for and Entercom got wind of it?

Will he show up in another market? In a column written by Eric Rueb in the summer of 2008 for the Narragansett Times, Sheppard talked about his future -

As each year goes by, Sheppard makes a bigger name for himself without having his own show.

He’s a second banana – a big one at that – on the Big Show, where he fills in for host Glenn Ordway when Ordway is sick or on vacation. He’s in the second year of his contract and has two more years left on it and it wouldn’t be shocking if a bigger market or even satellite looked to give The Meatman his own show.

Whether Sheppard could take that offer is another question. “I could go outside the state or the region and be OK, but it just plays to my strengths. I wouldn’t have the same passion going to Chicago and talking about the Bears and White Sox or Cubs. It just wouldn’t be the same,” Sheppard said. “But like anything else in this business or anything in this business and a lot of other businesses, you’re only as good as your last contract. The ratings have been good at the station, but there’s always a possibility but you have to have leverage. If there’s somebody else that wants me or there’s a bidding war, that’s nice, I don’t expect it.

“Let’s put it this way – I expect myself at ’EEI for a long time.”

So what’s next? Will be end up at 98.5? Chad Finn’s column this morning had WBZ-FM program manager Mike Thomas saying that he had not been in contact with Sheppard, and that they currently had a full staff.

Does he wind up at another Entercom station trying to create their own version of The Big Show? Does he end up in Jacksonville talking NASCAR?

Wow, that’s why too much time spent wondering about Pete Sheppard, but yesterday’s news resulted in the biggest day, traffic-wise for BSMW in months. Apparently people are interested in the fate of an afternoon sports radio flash guy.

Filed Under: The Big Show, WEEI

Celtics Zone Out In Detroit

January 21, 2010 By

Julian Benbow has the Pistons taking it to the Celtic in the fourth quarter and handing Boston a 92-86 road loss. Mark Murphy has the Celtics losing their third straight game in ugly fashion. A. Sherrod Blakely has the Celtics with another second-half collapse. Jessica Camerato has the Celtics unable to stay focused for the full 48. 

Murphy has Glen Davis bent out of shape by a heckler last night and responding with an obscene epithet that may result in discipline from the league office.

Gary Washburn says that something needs to change with the Celtics, either on the court or on the roster. Murphy has Rivers saying he knows nothing about a proposed Nate Robinson deal.

Murphy’s notebook has Garnett feeling good the day after his first full practice. The Globe notebook has more on the Davis incident. Blakely’s notebook has more details on the incident with the heckler.

Red Sox

The Red Sox held their rookie program at Boston College yesterday and Cuban shortstop Jose Iglesias was the star of the show.

Peter Abraham has the Cuban seeing snow for the first time in his life last week. John Tomase says that the lessons are coming fast and furious for Iglesias. Daniel Barbarisi says that seeing Iglesias was a glimpse of the Red Sox future. Mike Fine has the rookies getting a taste of baseball-mad Boston. Brian MacPherson has Iglesias with an eye on the majors. Sean McAdam has the rookies being welcomed to Boston.

Alex Speier has a look at Casey Kelly.

Misc

Stephen Harris has Bruins coach Claude Julien slamming defenseman Dennis Wideman yesterday.

Mike Loftus says that the Bruins are lacking in intensity.

Michael Vega has a look at Colts linebacker Gary Brackett. A free agent to-be, Brackett would look great here.

Chad Finn has a little more on Pete Sheppard position being eliminated at WEEI.

I’d prefer the hosts at WEEI just didn’t talk politics at all.

Filed Under: Morning Links

Pete Sheppard Out At WEEI

January 20, 2010 By

It appears that Pete Sheppard has done his final sports flash for WEEI’s Big Show.

From Regan Communications (PR firm for Entercom New England) today:

Statement Regarding Pete Sheppard from Entercom New England Vice President and Market Manager Julie Kahn and Vice President of AM Programming Jason Wolfe

“As we continue to operate in challenging economic times, it is with regret that we announce today that we have eliminated Pete Sheppard’s position as sports anchor on the Big Show. We’d like to thank Pete for his outstanding work with WEEI over the last ten years. He played a major role in our growth, and helped “The Big Show” become one of the top radio shows in the country. We wish Pete the best of luck in his future endeavors and remain extremely grateful for all his contributions over the past decade.”

Too bad for Pete. He was the one guy on that afternoon show who actually had some passion for sports. The elimination of his position also raises the question of what happens to Patriots post game shows next season, and who becomes the standard “fill in” host for Ordway.

If this really is a economic layoff, and I don’t have reason at this time to believe otherwise, what would prevent Sheppard from becoming just another rotating fill-in co-host or flash guy in the future? Or does he surface at 98.5?

Sheppard had signed a multiyear contract with WEEI back in May of 2007, so it doesn’t look like contract negotiations gone bad here.

The Boston Radio Watch fellow says that Curt Schilling called in and said he won’t come back onto the WEEI airwaves until Sheppard is rehired. 

Glen Ordway stated on the air that the company has decided to outsource the flash updates for the Big Show, similiar to what they’ve done to other shows (Dale & Holley) in the past.

Approval Ratings – Pete Sheppard (BSMW)

Sheppard out at WEEI (Boston.com)

Filed Under: The Big Show, WEEI

Quiet Time For Boston Sports

January 20, 2010 By

It doesn’t happen too often, but we’re in a real quiet time for the Boston sports scene. The Patriots are done, the Red Sox are a few weeks away from spring training, and the Celtics and Bruins are trudging through the tedious regular season. Add to that the fact that sports were on the back-burner for the last week or so with all the election talk, and it’s been actually a slow time for sports.

Mark Farinella says that the Patriots are in a decline just like they were during the Pete Carroll era, and Carroll was fired, so he wonders why there is no talk of firing Belichick. (Yep, slow sports day.) He wonders if Robert Kraft still has the fire to win, and puts the onus on him to get things turned around down in Foxborough.

Albert Breer says that Dean Pees may soon join Josh McDaniels in Denver.  Ron Borges says that Pees will find Mike Nolan a tough act to follow if he chooses to go to Denver. Tom E. Curran offers a mea culpa of sorts on his speculation that Matt Patricia could end up in Denver. Ian R. Rapoport says that it appears that Floyd Reese will be sticking around as well.  Mike Reiss wonders if Jared Odrick might be a good choice for the Patriots to draft at # 22.

Over on Patriots Daily we’ve put together as complete a list of the NFL Key Offseason Dates as we could find.

Red Sox

Amalie Benjamin has Jonathan Papelbon and the Red Sox avoiding arbitration with a one-year, $9.35 million contract. John Tomase says that the deal is a tremendous bargain for the Red Sox. Steve Buckley says that Papelbon is made for Fenway. Rob Bradford looks at what is ahead for Papelbon and the Red Sox. Sean McAdam looks at Papelbon’s climb up the salary ladder.

Alex Speier has a look at outfield prospects Josh Reddick and Ryan Kalish. Joe McDonald and Daniel Barbarisi have the Red Sox also agreeing to 2010 contracts with Manny Delcarmen and Ramon Ramirez.

Mike Fine begins his spring training previews with a look at the starting rotation. Gordon Edes says that the Red Sox will need big production from David Ortiz and Victor Martinez this season.

Celtics

Gary Washburn has ex-Piston Rasheed Wallace making his first trip back to Detroit as a member of the Celtics. A. Sherrod Blakely has Wallace hoping to replicate his Detroit success here with the Celtics.

Chris Forsberg has Kevin Garnett returning to practice yesterday in anticipation of returning to the lineup on Friday. Scott Souza has Garnett running, shooting, and doing a lot of talking. Frank Dell’Apa has Garnett believing that the Celtics’ cautious approach to his recovery is paying off. Jim Fenton has Garnett the last Celtic off the court yesterday. Steve Bulpett says that even with the full practice, Doc River says there is no way he will play KG tonight in Detroit.

Jessica Camerato has Eddie House talking about the art of sharpshooting. Bulpett’s notebook says that the return of KG won’t solve all the Celtics recent problems.

Bruins

Brendan Hall has the Bruins getting a little rest after a rough stretch of travel and games. Kathryn Tappen says that the Bruins will get through this tough stretch. Rich Thompson says that goal tending was the biggest problem against the Senators. Matt Kalman has a Bruins mailbag.

Filed Under: Morning Links

Celtics Home Woes Continue

January 19, 2010 By

The Celtics started last night strong, but lost their way in the second half when Rasheed Wallace got into foul trouble, and the Celtics had no one to match up with Dirk Nowitzki (37 points). The result was a 99-90 loss at the Garden for the Celtics, their third straight home loss.

Scott Souza says that the Celtics have no excuses for what happened last night. Frank Dell’Apa says that the Celtics’ wounds were self-inflicted in this one. Mark Murphy says that as the Celtics are the best road team in the NBA, they must really hate their home life. Robert Lee says that the Celtics just had no answers for Nowitzki. Bill Doyle says that Kevin Garnett can’t return fast enough for the Celtics. Jim Fenton has the Celtics dropping their seventh game in their last eleven, and remaining in a rut. Chris Forsberg says that defense was the problem for the Celtics last night.

Bob Ryan says that the Celtics will turn things around, but right now, their troubles are a lot more than just the absence of Kevin Garnett. Steve Bulpett says that the Celtics aren’t taking enough pride in their home court. Jeff Howe says that health is the Celtics biggest priority right now. Paul Flannery has the Celtics still searching for an identity. Jessica Isner has a second-half implosion doing in the Celtics. Rich Levine says that the defense took the night off for the Celtics last night.

Jessica Camerato has Ray Allen reflecting on the meaning of MLK day.

Julian Benbow has Nowitzki really getting hot after Wallace left the game with foul trouble. Bulpett chats with Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who isn’t getting fined as much these days, but still making his point about the level of officiating in the NBA. Benbow also has a look at ex-Northeastern star Jose Juan Barea getting his game under control for the Mavericks.

Dell’Apa’s notebook has the Celtics feeling they’ve let opponents get too comfortable at the Garden. Murphy’s notebook has the Celtics knowing that KG isn’t going to solve all their woes. Lee’s Celtics journal has the return of Wallace providing a lift to the Celtics frontcourt. Souza’s notebook has more on the Celtics home woes. Doyle’s notebook has Doc Rivers praising Nowitzki. Fenton’s notebook has more on Wallace’s first game back. Forsberg’s notebook has Paul Pierce saying that his knee his fine.

 Bruins

The Bruins were also bad yesterday, falling apart in a 5-1 loss to the Senators. Kevin Paul Dupont says that the Bruins “barely competed” in their afternoon matinée with Ottawa. Steve Conroy has the Bruins crashing on their return from the West coast. Mike Loftus has the Bruins unable to summon any energy yesterday. Rich Garven has the Bruins submitting a lackluster and mistake-filled effort. James Murphy says that this game shows how much the Bruins are hurting. Joe Haggerty has the Bruins just running out of gas yesterday.

Steve Buckley gives the Bruins a pass on this one, given their recent brutal travel schedule. Matt Kalman says that this loss cannot be blamed on injuries of scheduling. Danny Picard has Tim Thomas hearing the boos yesterday. Rich Thompson has Patrice Bergeron returning to the lineup, but being limited in what he could do. Thompson has Daniel Alfredsson scoring the hat trick on the Bruins.

Dupont’s notebook has more on Bergeron’s limited return. Conroy’s notebook has the Senators scoring a goal after Bruins defenseman Dennis Wideman collided with a referee. Garven’s notebook has more on this play.  Loftus’ notebook has more on Bergeron.

Patriots/Red Sox

Karen Guregian says that these AFC playoffs show how badly the Patriots defense is in need of a makeover. Mike Reiss thinks Leigh Bodden would be a good piece to keep, but the cornerback is a free agent this offseason. Tom E. Curran speculates that Josh McDaniels might try to steal Matt Patricia from the Patriots. He also looks at the Patriots running backs.

Bill Burt and Steve Krause think that the Jets could have Patriots fans torn this weekend. Albert R. Breer says that the Jets aren’t boasting, since they’ve backed everything up.

John Tomase and Mike Fine say that the Red Sox and Jonathan Papelbon appear headed to arbitration. Adam Hirshfield says that no power could be no problem for these Red Sox.

Filed Under: Morning Links

Ryan, Gammons, Shaughnessy, Lynch Honored by NSSA

January 18, 2010 By

Peter Gammons has been inducted in the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame, while Bob Ryan has been named sportswriter of the year for the third straight year. Dan Shaughnessy was named the Massachusetts state sportswriter of the year.

John Madden was inducted to the Hall along with Gammons, and Jim Nantz was named national sportscaster of the year,  his fifth award.

Elsewhere in New England, Mike Lynch was named the MA sportscaster of the year. In Rhode Island, Steve Hyder and Steve McDonald shared the sportscaster of the year award, while Joe McDonald was the sportswriter of the year. In NH, Mike Murphy is sportscaster of the year and Allen Lessels is sportswriter of the year. In Connecticut, Kevin Nathan and Jeff Jacobs were honored, In Maine, it is Clem LaBree and Rich Kimball on the sportscaster side and Peter Warner on the writing side. Finally, in VT, George Commo and Ted Ryan received the awards.

Get the full list here:

Gammons, Madden Earn 2009 NSSA Hall of Fame Inductions (Sports Media News)

Filed Under: Boston Globe, WCVB

MLK Day Top Ten

January 18, 2010 By

The Jets and Colts for the AFC Championship? Patriots fans might be rooting for a “Black Sunday” type scenario in Indianapolis next weekend.

Here’s a quick round-up of some articles to check out today:

Saints are the last, best hope for Patriots fans - Christopher Price explains why New England fans might become New Orleans fans the rest of the way.

Rebuilding Isn’t New For The Patriots - Some Bruce Allen guy reminds us that the Patriots have rebuilt themselves four times in the last decade.

Offseason work just beginning - Brian MacPherson looks at the Patriots to-do list this offseason.

Monday Morning Fullback: Twenty observations from a wild weekend - You now get three free sports columns from the Standard Times a month – this effort from Jonathan Comey should be one of them.

Four games, four thoughts - Michael Felger also weighs in on the weekend action.

Wallace’s return a big benefit - Chris Forsberg tells us the return of Rasheed Wallace tonight for the Celtics is a big deal.

Celtics older statesmen hold dear the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - The Patriot Ledger left the byline off this Celtics piece, but it is interesting seeing the history gap between the older and younger Celtics.

Why Papelbon might be making history again - Rob Bradford weighs in on the contract situation of the best closer in Red Sox history.

Bruins lineup still sore subject - Steve Conroy says that the lineup for the Bruins this afternoon is still up in the air.

Bruins finding that Satan’s good on the rush - Fluto Shinzawa has the Bruins newest winger settling in quite nicely.  

Be sure to check out Ken Fang’s Monday’s Viewing Picks to make sure you aren’t missing anything today.

Filed Under: Morning Links

Celtics Can’t Catch Up With Chicago

January 15, 2010 By

 Here are the Celtics links from last night’s loss to the Bulls.

Scott Souza says that the Celtics looked like a team in desperate need of a rest.  Gary Washburn has the Bulls taking advantage of a tired Celtics team. Mark Murphy has the done in by poor free throw shooting among other things. Robert Lee has the Bulls leading from start to finish in this one. Bill Doyle has the Celtics showing a lot of fatigue in this one. Jim Fenton has the Celtics wrapping up a stretch of six games in nine nights with the loss. A. Sherrod Blakely says that the Celtics energy and shots were both flat all night long.

Frank Dell’Apa notes that with Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace out, it’s been much tougher to get the ball to Kendrick Perkins. Steve Bulpett has the fans paying the price for the brutal schedule stretch for the Celtics. Jessica Camerato says that the Bulls didn’t have revenge on their minds last night. Evans Clinchy says that Wallace sure picked an inopportune time to hurt his foot. Chris Forsberg promises that better days are ahead for the Celtics. Rich Levine says that the Celtics never had a shot last night.

Chad Finn has Celtics legend Kevin McHale weighing in on his former team.

Bulpett has Derrick Rose and the Bulls still adjusting to the loss of Ben Gordon.

Washburn’s notebook has Doc Rivers hoping KG will be back a week from today. Murphy’s notebook also targets the 22nd for the return of Garnett. Lee’s Celtics Journal has Glen Davis’ flagrant 1 foul from Monday being rescinded by the league. Souza’s notebook has the Celtics hoping to get back both Garnett and Wallace next week. Doyle’s notebook has Doc Rivers getting a rare chance to see his younger son Austin play in Massachusetts tomorrow. Fenton’s notebook looks at the Celtics struggles at home this season. Forsberg’s notebook has more on the anticipated returns of KG and Wallace. Blakely’s notebook says that injuries are really starting to take a toll on this team.

Filed Under: Morning Links
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