josh smith to boston? (rumor?)

[LooseCannon]

The thing is, you no longer have Pierce to dump the ball to in half-court, and get out of the way.

Didn't a lot of people here want the Celtics to stop doing that?

[fitzhickey]

The thing is, you no longer have Pierce to dump the ball to in half-court, and get out of the way.

Didn't a lot of people here want the Celtics to stop doing that?

I'd rather that than Smoove air balling 15 footers

[Celtics18]

I feel compelled to weigh in on the Hack-a debate.  I'm no bona fide stats geek and I'm no mathematician, but it seems to make sense to me that if you foul a guy who is shooting .500 from the line, you can expect about 1.00 point per possession.  He'll make one of two for one point.  It might be worth it to hack that guy.  According to BBR, league average on points per possession is about 1.06.  But, if a guy is shooting .540 from the line, then all of a sudden the expected points per possession seems like it would be 1.08, which is above league average.

What this tells me is that unless the opposing offense is really torching you and you just can't stop them at all otherwise, the Hack-A strategy wouldn't be an effective strategy against any player shooting over .525 from the line.   



Maybe I'm just oversimplifying it.  It sure doesn't seem that way, though. 

[BballTim]

Not for the last few years. PP might have shot the ball but in 2010 or so as soon as they got down to 2-3 minutes left PP would bring the ball up and running the offense. That stopped a few years ago. Rondo would bring the ball up and initiate the offense all the way up to at least the last possession or two. He wouldn't have the ball as much if the other team needed to commit an intentional foul but that's about it.

Fair enough. The thing is, you no longer have Pierce to dump the ball to in half-court, and get out of the way.

   Not sure that's a bad thing. But I can tell you Rondo's been at or near the top of crunch time assists for the last 3 years. The previous two years he was 15th or so.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

I feel compelled to weigh in on the Hack-a debate.  I'm no bona fide stats geek and I'm no mathematician, but it seems to make sense to me that if you foul a guy who is shooting .500 from the line, you can expect about 1.00 point per possession.  He'll make one of two for one point.  It might be worth it to hack that guy.  According to BBR, league average on points per possession is about 1.06.  But, if a guy is shooting .540 from the line, then all of a sudden the expected points per possession seems like it would be 1.08, which is above league average.

What this tells me is that unless the opposing offense is really torching you and you just can't stop them at all otherwise, the Hack-A strategy wouldn't be an effective strategy against any player shooting over .525 from the line.   



Maybe I'm just oversimplifying it.  It sure doesn't seem that way, though.

It's more along the thinking, I'm getting 2 points to your 1 while your point isn't taking any time off the clock. Not only can I get 2 to 1, I have a chance at 3 to 1.  Also, you are looking at it a little wrong, the players aren't 50% every time at the line, over multiple attempts they shoot 50%, like if you give them 10 shots doesn't mean they always make 5 of them but 10 shots per over a few games they hit 50% of them. Thinking that way I'm guessing if you send them to the line they have a higher chance of missing both in one game. You also bring out the strategy more when the player is already shooting bad in that game at the line or haven't had any ft attempts to get a rhythm.

[Celtics18]

I feel compelled to weigh in on the Hack-a debate.  I'm no bona fide stats geek and I'm no mathematician, but it seems to make sense to me that if you foul a guy who is shooting .500 from the line, you can expect about 1.00 point per possession.  He'll make one of two for one point.  It might be worth it to hack that guy.  According to BBR, league average on points per possession is about 1.06.  But, if a guy is shooting .540 from the line, then all of a sudden the expected points per possession seems like it would be 1.08, which is above league average.

What this tells me is that unless the opposing offense is really torching you and you just can't stop them at all otherwise, the Hack-A strategy wouldn't be an effective strategy against any player shooting over .525 from the line.   



Maybe I'm just oversimplifying it.  It sure doesn't seem that way, though.

It's more along the thinking, I'm getting 2 points to your 1 while your point isn't taking any time off the clock. Not only can I get 2 to 1, I have a chance at 3 to 1.  Also, you are looking at it a little wrong, the players aren't 50% every time at the line, over multiple attempts they shoot 50%, like if you give them 10 shots doesn't mean they always make 5 of them but 10 shots per over a few games they hit 50% of them. Thinking that way I'm guessing if you send them to the line they have a higher chance of missing both in one game. You also bring out the strategy more when the player is already shooting bad in that game at the line or haven't had any ft attempts to get a rhythm.

I get what you are saying, but if your team is confidently getting at least two points on every offensive possession, they won't be anywhere near in a position where they'll need to employ an intentional fouling strategy.  Chances are they'll be on the positive end of a complete laugher. 

[LarBrd33]

Not for the last few years. PP might have shot the ball but in 2010 or so as soon as they got down to 2-3 minutes left PP would bring the ball up and running the offense. That stopped a few years ago. Rondo would bring the ball up and initiate the offense all the way up to at least the last possession or two. He wouldn't have the ball as much if the other team needed to commit an intentional foul but that's about it.

Fair enough. The thing is, you no longer have Pierce to dump the ball to in half-court, and get out of the way.

   Not sure that's a bad thing. But I can tell you Rondo's been at or near the top of crunch time assists for the last 3 years. The previous two years he was 15th or so.

Tim,

Last night I got a text from my buddy.  He was having dinner with his girlfriend at a Chinese Restaurant a couple blocks from my condo in Downtown Bellevue, WA.   Bill Russell had just walked through the door.  How cool is that?  It certainly shocked my buddy... it was just this little "meh" Chinese restaurant (3 stars on yelp) in the middle of a little strip mall.  Some place called "Toy's Cafe":  http://www.toyscafebellevue.com/ ... I get them for delivery every once in a while even though I can walk there in 2 minutes.  My buddy's like, "Dude... Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline.... Bill Russell!?  Is he local or something!?!" ... I happen to know that Bill actually lives in Mercer Island (a little island between Bellevue and Seattle) so it didn't necessarily shock me too much.   

I briefly debated walking over there... but I mean... I wouldn't want to bother the man in the middle of dinner.  It would be awesome to meet Bill Russell, though.  Also, I've been running a low-grade fever all week.  Plus, I won that CLNS Radio/CelticsBlog "Bill Russell Basketball Sweepstakes" last year so at least I have his autograph.  I decided to just stay home and get some sleep.

So I went to sleep...

I started dreaming...

In my dream, I was at a Chinese restaurant and none other than Rajon freakin Rondo walked through the door.  I immediately walked up to Rondo.  He looked much taller in dream-form.  I'm like, "OMG!  RondoOOooooO!!  I'm a HUGE fan.  I'm obsessed with the Celtics.  I watch the games religiously.  I even post daily on some silly Celticsblog forum!"  Dream-Rondo smiled and responded, "Oh, Celticsblog?  I read Celticsblog!  What's your username on Celticsblog?"

I paused briefly... and finally responded, "BBallTim"

Dream-Rondo then bought me cake.


Anyways, I took it as a sign.  I need to be more like BBallTim on this forum.  No more negative nancy.  No more devil's advocate.  Rondo is our guy.  If I don't shape up quickly, I might not get free cake from Rondo in my fever dreams.

[sofutomygaha]

Not for the last few years. PP might have shot the ball but in 2010 or so as soon as they got down to 2-3 minutes left PP would bring the ball up and running the offense. That stopped a few years ago. Rondo would bring the ball up and initiate the offense all the way up to at least the last possession or two. He wouldn't have the ball as much if the other team needed to commit an intentional foul but that's about it.

Fair enough. The thing is, you no longer have Pierce to dump the ball to in half-court, and get out of the way.

   Not sure that's a bad thing. But I can tell you Rondo's been at or near the top of crunch time assists for the last 3 years. The previous two years he was 15th or so.

Tim,

Last night I got a text from my buddy.  He was having dinner with his girlfriend at a Chinese Restaurant a couple blocks from my condo in Downtown Bellevue, WA.   Bill Russell had just walked through the door.  How cool is that?  It certainly shocked my buddy... it was just this little "meh" Chinese restaurant (3 stars on yelp) in the middle of a little strip mall.  Some place called "Toy's Cafe":  http://www.toyscafebellevue.com/ ... I get them for delivery every once in a while even though I can walk there in 2 minutes.  My buddy's like, "Dude... ****... Bill Russell!?  Is he local or something!?!" ... I happen to know that Bill actually lives in Mercer Island (a little island between Bellevue and Seattle) so it didn't necessarily shock me too much.   

I briefly debated walking over there... but I mean... I wouldn't want to bother the man in the middle of dinner.  It would be awesome to meet Bill Russell, though.  Also, I've been running a low-grade fever all week.  Plus, I won that CLNS Radio/CelticsBlog "Bill Russell Basketball Sweepstakes" last year so at least I have his autograph.  I decided to just stay home and get some sleep.

So I went to sleep...

I started dreaming...

In my dream, I was at a Chinese restaurant and none other than Rajon freakin Rondo walked through the door.  I immediately walked up to Rondo.  He looked much taller in dream-form.  I'm like, "OMG!  RondoOOooooO!!  I'm a HUGE fan.  I'm obsessed with the Celtics.  I watch the games religiously.  I even post daily on some silly Celticsblog forum!"  Dream-Rondo smiled and responded, "Oh, Celticsblog?  I read Celticsblog!  What's your username on Celticsblog?"

I paused briefly... and finally responded, "BBallTim"

Dream-Rondo then bought me cake.


Anyways, I took it as a sign.  I need to be more like BBallTim on this forum.  No more negative nancy.  No more devil's advocate.  Rondo is our guy.  If I don't shape up quickly, I might not get free cake from Rondo in my fever dreams.

TP for free cake fever dream karma.

[Boris Badenov]

Not for the last few years. PP might have shot the ball but in 2010 or so as soon as they got down to 2-3 minutes left PP would bring the ball up and running the offense. That stopped a few years ago. Rondo would bring the ball up and initiate the offense all the way up to at least the last possession or two. He wouldn't have the ball as much if the other team needed to commit an intentional foul but that's about it.

Fair enough. The thing is, you no longer have Pierce to dump the ball to in half-court, and get out of the way.

   Not sure that's a bad thing. But I can tell you Rondo's been at or near the top of crunch time assists for the last 3 years. The previous two years he was 15th or so.

Tim,

Last night I got a text from my buddy.  He was having dinner with his girlfriend at a Chinese Restaurant a couple blocks from my condo in Downtown Bellevue, WA.   Bill Russell had just walked through the door.  How cool is that?  It certainly shocked my buddy... it was just this little "meh" Chinese restaurant (3 stars on yelp) in the middle of a little strip mall.  Some place called "Toy's Cafe":  http://www.toyscafebellevue.com/ ... I get them for delivery every once in a while even though I can walk there in 2 minutes.  My buddy's like, "Dude... ****... Bill Russell!?  Is he local or something!?!" ... I happen to know that Bill actually lives in Mercer Island (a little island between Bellevue and Seattle) so it didn't necessarily shock me too much.   

I briefly debated walking over there... but I mean... I wouldn't want to bother the man in the middle of dinner.  It would be awesome to meet Bill Russell, though.  Also, I've been running a low-grade fever all week.  Plus, I won that CLNS Radio/CelticsBlog "Bill Russell Basketball Sweepstakes" last year so at least I have his autograph.  I decided to just stay home and get some sleep.

So I went to sleep...

I started dreaming...

In my dream, I was at a Chinese restaurant and none other than Rajon freakin Rondo walked through the door.  I immediately walked up to Rondo.  He looked much taller in dream-form.  I'm like, "OMG!  RondoOOooooO!!  I'm a HUGE fan.  I'm obsessed with the Celtics.  I watch the games religiously.  I even post daily on some silly Celticsblog forum!"  Dream-Rondo smiled and responded, "Oh, Celticsblog?  I read Celticsblog!  What's your username on Celticsblog?"

I paused briefly... and finally responded, "BBallTim"

Dream-Rondo then bought me cake.


Anyways, I took it as a sign.  I need to be more like BBallTim on this forum.  No more negative nancy.  No more devil's advocate.  Rondo is our guy.  If I don't shape up quickly, I might not get free cake from Rondo in my fever dreams.

You guys should secretly PM and agree to switch CB personalities for a week. All a sudden Tim would be posting about how we can't rebuild with Rondo, we need to move him ASAP, and anything better than a late second round pick would be a terrific return. Then LB33 would reply with batteries of stats on Rondo's shot-creation skills, documenting how he was the best player in 14 different playoff series, and how he's baffled that no one has realized Rondo is now a good jump shooter over the last two seasons.

Brains would melt.

[BballTim]

Not for the last few years. PP might have shot the ball but in 2010 or so as soon as they got down to 2-3 minutes left PP would bring the ball up and running the offense. That stopped a few years ago. Rondo would bring the ball up and initiate the offense all the way up to at least the last possession or two. He wouldn't have the ball as much if the other team needed to commit an intentional foul but that's about it.

Fair enough. The thing is, you no longer have Pierce to dump the ball to in half-court, and get out of the way.

   Not sure that's a bad thing. But I can tell you Rondo's been at or near the top of crunch time assists for the last 3 years. The previous two years he was 15th or so.

Tim,

Last night I got a text from my buddy.  He was having dinner with his girlfriend at a Chinese Restaurant a couple blocks from my condo in Downtown Bellevue, WA.   Bill Russell had just walked through the door.  How cool is that?  It certainly shocked my buddy... it was just this little "meh" Chinese restaurant (3 stars on yelp) in the middle of a little strip mall.  Some place called "Toy's Cafe":  http://www.toyscafebellevue.com/ ... I get them for delivery every once in a while even though I can walk there in 2 minutes.  My buddy's like, "Dude... ****... Bill Russell!?  Is he local or something!?!" ... I happen to know that Bill actually lives in Mercer Island (a little island between Bellevue and Seattle) so it didn't necessarily shock me too much.   

I briefly debated walking over there... but I mean... I wouldn't want to bother the man in the middle of dinner.  It would be awesome to meet Bill Russell, though.  Also, I've been running a low-grade fever all week.  Plus, I won that CLNS Radio/CelticsBlog "Bill Russell Basketball Sweepstakes" last year so at least I have his autograph.  I decided to just stay home and get some sleep.

So I went to sleep...

I started dreaming...

In my dream, I was at a Chinese restaurant and none other than Rajon freakin Rondo walked through the door.  I immediately walked up to Rondo.  He looked much taller in dream-form.  I'm like, "OMG!  RondoOOooooO!!  I'm a HUGE fan.  I'm obsessed with the Celtics.  I watch the games religiously.  I even post daily on some silly Celticsblog forum!"  Dream-Rondo smiled and responded, "Oh, Celticsblog?  I read Celticsblog!  What's your username on Celticsblog?"

I paused briefly... and finally responded, "BBallTim"

Dream-Rondo then bought me cake.


Anyways, I took it as a sign.  I need to be more like BBallTim on this forum.  No more negative nancy.  No more devil's advocate.  Rondo is our guy.  If I don't shape up quickly, I might not get free cake from Rondo in my fever dreams.

  That was... special. I'd guess posting things like that is helping you deal with whatever issues you're trying to work through. Personally I'm a little creeped out that you dream about being me and I'm somewhat thankful that you're on the other side of the country. I suppose I should keep a better eye on your posts so I'll know to change my username before you start sounding like you're old enough to get on a plane without an adult accompanying you.

[LarBrd33]

Not for the last few years. PP might have shot the ball but in 2010 or so as soon as they got down to 2-3 minutes left PP would bring the ball up and running the offense. That stopped a few years ago. Rondo would bring the ball up and initiate the offense all the way up to at least the last possession or two. He wouldn't have the ball as much if the other team needed to commit an intentional foul but that's about it.

Fair enough. The thing is, you no longer have Pierce to dump the ball to in half-court, and get out of the way.

   Not sure that's a bad thing. But I can tell you Rondo's been at or near the top of crunch time assists for the last 3 years. The previous two years he was 15th or so.

Tim,

Last night I got a text from my buddy.  He was having dinner with his girlfriend at a Chinese Restaurant a couple blocks from my condo in Downtown Bellevue, WA.   Bill Russell had just walked through the door.  How cool is that?  It certainly shocked my buddy... it was just this little "meh" Chinese restaurant (3 stars on yelp) in the middle of a little strip mall.  Some place called "Toy's Cafe":  http://www.toyscafebellevue.com/ ... I get them for delivery every once in a while even though I can walk there in 2 minutes.  My buddy's like, "Dude... ****... Bill Russell!?  Is he local or something!?!" ... I happen to know that Bill actually lives in Mercer Island (a little island between Bellevue and Seattle) so it didn't necessarily shock me too much.   

I briefly debated walking over there... but I mean... I wouldn't want to bother the man in the middle of dinner.  It would be awesome to meet Bill Russell, though.  Also, I've been running a low-grade fever all week.  Plus, I won that CLNS Radio/CelticsBlog "Bill Russell Basketball Sweepstakes" last year so at least I have his autograph.  I decided to just stay home and get some sleep.

So I went to sleep...

I started dreaming...

In my dream, I was at a Chinese restaurant and none other than Rajon freakin Rondo walked through the door.  I immediately walked up to Rondo.  He looked much taller in dream-form.  I'm like, "OMG!  RondoOOooooO!!  I'm a HUGE fan.  I'm obsessed with the Celtics.  I watch the games religiously.  I even post daily on some silly Celticsblog forum!"  Dream-Rondo smiled and responded, "Oh, Celticsblog?  I read Celticsblog!  What's your username on Celticsblog?"

I paused briefly... and finally responded, "BBallTim"

Dream-Rondo then bought me cake.


Anyways, I took it as a sign.  I need to be more like BBallTim on this forum.  No more negative nancy.  No more devil's advocate.  Rondo is our guy.  If I don't shape up quickly, I might not get free cake from Rondo in my fever dreams.

  That was... special. I'd guess posting things like that is helping you deal with whatever issues you're trying to work through. Personally I'm a little creeped out that you dream about being me and I'm somewhat thankful that you're on the other side of the country. I suppose I should keep a better eye on your posts so I'll know to change my username before you start sounding like you're old enough to get on a plane without an adult accompanying you.

Be my valentine, Timmy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge7mozA-ptI

[BballTim]

Not for the last few years. PP might have shot the ball but in 2010 or so as soon as they got down to 2-3 minutes left PP would bring the ball up and running the offense. That stopped a few years ago. Rondo would bring the ball up and initiate the offense all the way up to at least the last possession or two. He wouldn't have the ball as much if the other team needed to commit an intentional foul but that's about it.

Fair enough. The thing is, you no longer have Pierce to dump the ball to in half-court, and get out of the way.

   Not sure that's a bad thing. But I can tell you Rondo's been at or near the top of crunch time assists for the last 3 years. The previous two years he was 15th or so.

Tim,

Last night I got a text from my buddy.  He was having dinner with his girlfriend at a Chinese Restaurant a couple blocks from my condo in Downtown Bellevue, WA.   Bill Russell had just walked through the door.  How cool is that?  It certainly shocked my buddy... it was just this little "meh" Chinese restaurant (3 stars on yelp) in the middle of a little strip mall.  Some place called "Toy's Cafe":  http://www.toyscafebellevue.com/ ... I get them for delivery every once in a while even though I can walk there in 2 minutes.  My buddy's like, "Dude... ****... Bill Russell!?  Is he local or something!?!" ... I happen to know that Bill actually lives in Mercer Island (a little island between Bellevue and Seattle) so it didn't necessarily shock me too much.   

I briefly debated walking over there... but I mean... I wouldn't want to bother the man in the middle of dinner.  It would be awesome to meet Bill Russell, though.  Also, I've been running a low-grade fever all week.  Plus, I won that CLNS Radio/CelticsBlog "Bill Russell Basketball Sweepstakes" last year so at least I have his autograph.  I decided to just stay home and get some sleep.

So I went to sleep...

I started dreaming...

In my dream, I was at a Chinese restaurant and none other than Rajon freakin Rondo walked through the door.  I immediately walked up to Rondo.  He looked much taller in dream-form.  I'm like, "OMG!  RondoOOooooO!!  I'm a HUGE fan.  I'm obsessed with the Celtics.  I watch the games religiously.  I even post daily on some silly Celticsblog forum!"  Dream-Rondo smiled and responded, "Oh, Celticsblog?  I read Celticsblog!  What's your username on Celticsblog?"

I paused briefly... and finally responded, "BBallTim"

Dream-Rondo then bought me cake.


Anyways, I took it as a sign.  I need to be more like BBallTim on this forum.  No more negative nancy.  No more devil's advocate.  Rondo is our guy.  If I don't shape up quickly, I might not get free cake from Rondo in my fever dreams.

  That was... special. I'd guess posting things like that is helping you deal with whatever issues you're trying to work through. Personally I'm a little creeped out that you dream about being me and I'm somewhat thankful that you're on the other side of the country. I suppose I should keep a better eye on your posts so I'll know to change my username before you start sounding like you're old enough to get on a plane without an adult accompanying you.

Be my valentine, Timmy.

  That would violate the restraining order I'm requesting.

[ssspence]

a 6 page thread on smith to the Cs? never happening. move on.

[LarBrd33]

Not for the last few years. PP might have shot the ball but in 2010 or so as soon as they got down to 2-3 minutes left PP would bring the ball up and running the offense. That stopped a few years ago. Rondo would bring the ball up and initiate the offense all the way up to at least the last possession or two. He wouldn't have the ball as much if the other team needed to commit an intentional foul but that's about it.

Fair enough. The thing is, you no longer have Pierce to dump the ball to in half-court, and get out of the way.

   Not sure that's a bad thing. But I can tell you Rondo's been at or near the top of crunch time assists for the last 3 years. The previous two years he was 15th or so.

Tim,

Last night I got a text from my buddy.  He was having dinner with his girlfriend at a Chinese Restaurant a couple blocks from my condo in Downtown Bellevue, WA.   Bill Russell had just walked through the door.  How cool is that?  It certainly shocked my buddy... it was just this little "meh" Chinese restaurant (3 stars on yelp) in the middle of a little strip mall.  Some place called "Toy's Cafe":  http://www.toyscafebellevue.com/ ... I get them for delivery every once in a while even though I can walk there in 2 minutes.  My buddy's like, "Dude... ****... Bill Russell!?  Is he local or something!?!" ... I happen to know that Bill actually lives in Mercer Island (a little island between Bellevue and Seattle) so it didn't necessarily shock me too much.   

I briefly debated walking over there... but I mean... I wouldn't want to bother the man in the middle of dinner.  It would be awesome to meet Bill Russell, though.  Also, I've been running a low-grade fever all week.  Plus, I won that CLNS Radio/CelticsBlog "Bill Russell Basketball Sweepstakes" last year so at least I have his autograph.  I decided to just stay home and get some sleep.

So I went to sleep...

I started dreaming...

In my dream, I was at a Chinese restaurant and none other than Rajon freakin Rondo walked through the door.  I immediately walked up to Rondo.  He looked much taller in dream-form.  I'm like, "OMG!  RondoOOooooO!!  I'm a HUGE fan.  I'm obsessed with the Celtics.  I watch the games religiously.  I even post daily on some silly Celticsblog forum!"  Dream-Rondo smiled and responded, "Oh, Celticsblog?  I read Celticsblog!  What's your username on Celticsblog?"

I paused briefly... and finally responded, "BBallTim"

Dream-Rondo then bought me cake.


Anyways, I took it as a sign.  I need to be more like BBallTim on this forum.  No more negative nancy.  No more devil's advocate.  Rondo is our guy.  If I don't shape up quickly, I might not get free cake from Rondo in my fever dreams.

  That was... special. I'd guess posting things like that is helping you deal with whatever issues you're trying to work through. Personally I'm a little creeped out that you dream about being me and I'm somewhat thankful that you're on the other side of the country. I suppose I should keep a better eye on your posts so I'll know to change my username before you start sounding like you're old enough to get on a plane without an adult accompanying you.

Be my valentine, Timmy.

  That would violate the restraining order I'm requesting.

There's a really good joke in here about you and Rajon Rondo, but I'm going to leave it be.  Someone is being a tad malicious today.  I shall not be getting in a pee pee contest with Timmy this close to the trade deadline.  I'm just going to brush it off and assume you're extra on edge with a potential Rondo trade a mere 8 days away.

FWIW, I hope we keep him.  I'm on board with pushing for the 8th seed this year.

[BballTim]

Not for the last few years. PP might have shot the ball but in 2010 or so as soon as they got down to 2-3 minutes left PP would bring the ball up and running the offense. That stopped a few years ago. Rondo would bring the ball up and initiate the offense all the way up to at least the last possession or two. He wouldn't have the ball as much if the other team needed to commit an intentional foul but that's about it.

Fair enough. The thing is, you no longer have Pierce to dump the ball to in half-court, and get out of the way.

   Not sure that's a bad thing. But I can tell you Rondo's been at or near the top of crunch time assists for the last 3 years. The previous two years he was 15th or so.

Tim,

Last night I got a text from my buddy.  He was having dinner with his girlfriend at a Chinese Restaurant a couple blocks from my condo in Downtown Bellevue, WA.   Bill Russell had just walked through the door.  How cool is that?  It certainly shocked my buddy... it was just this little "meh" Chinese restaurant (3 stars on yelp) in the middle of a little strip mall.  Some place called "Toy's Cafe":  http://www.toyscafebellevue.com/ ... I get them for delivery every once in a while even though I can walk there in 2 minutes.  My buddy's like, "Dude... ****... Bill Russell!?  Is he local or something!?!" ... I happen to know that Bill actually lives in Mercer Island (a little island between Bellevue and Seattle) so it didn't necessarily shock me too much.   

I briefly debated walking over there... but I mean... I wouldn't want to bother the man in the middle of dinner.  It would be awesome to meet Bill Russell, though.  Also, I've been running a low-grade fever all week.  Plus, I won that CLNS Radio/CelticsBlog "Bill Russell Basketball Sweepstakes" last year so at least I have his autograph.  I decided to just stay home and get some sleep.

So I went to sleep...

I started dreaming...

In my dream, I was at a Chinese restaurant and none other than Rajon freakin Rondo walked through the door.  I immediately walked up to Rondo.  He looked much taller in dream-form.  I'm like, "OMG!  RondoOOooooO!!  I'm a HUGE fan.  I'm obsessed with the Celtics.  I watch the games religiously.  I even post daily on some silly Celticsblog forum!"  Dream-Rondo smiled and responded, "Oh, Celticsblog?  I read Celticsblog!  What's your username on Celticsblog?"

I paused briefly... and finally responded, "BBallTim"

Dream-Rondo then bought me cake.


Anyways, I took it as a sign.  I need to be more like BBallTim on this forum.  No more negative nancy.  No more devil's advocate.  Rondo is our guy.  If I don't shape up quickly, I might not get free cake from Rondo in my fever dreams.

  That was... special. I'd guess posting things like that is helping you deal with whatever issues you're trying to work through. Personally I'm a little creeped out that you dream about being me and I'm somewhat thankful that you're on the other side of the country. I suppose I should keep a better eye on your posts so I'll know to change my username before you start sounding like you're old enough to get on a plane without an adult accompanying you.

Be my valentine, Timmy.

  That would violate the restraining order I'm requesting.

There's a really good joke in here about you and Rajon Rondo, but I'm going to leave it be.  Someone is being a tad malicious today.  I shall not be getting in a pee pee contest with Timmy this close to the trade deadline.  I'm just going to brush it off and assume you're extra on edge with a potential Rondo trade a mere 8 days away.

FWIW, I hope we keep him.  I'm on board with pushing for the 8th seed this year.

  Yes, I'm on edge, just like I was when you were certain he was going to be traded in the offseason, last trade deadline, and probably every offseason and trade deadline since he ran over your dog or foreclosed on your house or whatever happened. I'm starting to wonder if your Rondo obsession stems from some misguided loyalty to your Seattle hero Ray Allen and his bruised ego.