Bleacher Report - Articles by Sarah

How Michael Jordan Saved the League

Sarah — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 08:35:05 -0500

When Michael Jordan first came into the league, there were moderately high expectations, but no one thought he would "save the league," or become the best player ever. However, during the first round playoffs in 1986, he made it clear he was going to leave his mark on the NBA.

During the first round of the playoffs, the dominant Celtics faced the upstart Chicago Bulls and their young star, Michael Jordan. In a packed Boston Garden, Jordan put up 63 points against one of the best teams in NBA history. He singlehandedly forced triple overtime before the Celtics outlasted the Bulls with a 135-131 win.

As someone who was at the Garden that day, I refer to this game as Jordan's "coming-out" party. Despite playing one of the best teams ever assembled and with all eyes on him, Jordan managed to simply take over the game. Every time the Bulls came down the court you knew Jordan was going to get the ball. And they still could not stop him.

By the end of the game, the Celtics’ fans were cheering for Jordan. We knew we were seeing something extraordinary. From that moment on, I knew Jordan would take over the NBA, and find a way to win championships.

Boston Red Sox: Keys to a World Series Repeat

Sarah — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:29:10 -0400

It has been a great year for Boston sports. Can it continue?

The first test will be the second half of the Major League Baseball season. This is where we get to see just how good and durable the 2008 Boston Red Sox really are. I think we are a trade or two away from defending the World Series title and winning back-to-back titles.

The 2008 Red Sox have proven to be a resilient bunch. Schilling is out for the season, but other young pitchers have stepped up. David Ortiz has been sidelined for more then a six weeks, but JD Drew and others have stepped up their game to make up for David's absence.

The Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays have put on a great performance, but the entire Red Sox team has responded. At the All Star break, the Red Sox have willed their way back into first place in the AL East. Not bad.

But the Red Sox still need some help to make a strong run for another World Series title. They need some help in the bullpen. They need some strong middle relievers.

Hopefully, they will make a trade near the trading deadline to find some depth. I just hope they don't mortgage the future to get one arm. We have a ton of great talent in the farm system and we should keep it!

Oh and I almost forgot—the Yankees. They aren't dead yet, but their amazing ability to implode late in the season has been fun to watch to recent years. I am hoping for some particularly dramatic collapse this year.

There's No "D" In Boston Celtics

Sarah — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 10:58:21 -0500

Boston Celtics fans were thrilled when the Celtics managed to go 7-2 during Kevin Garnett's time on the sidelines while he recovered from painful abdominal injury.

Unfortunately the post All-Star west coast road trip has proven tougher than expected when the Celtics dropping back-to-back games to the Denver Nugget and Golden State Warriors this week.

Should Celtics fans be worried?

Yes.

During the last two games, Boston’s defense has been awful—they allowed over 119 points per game—and even let the lowly New York Knicks, who scored 103 in the last game before the All-Star break.

Compare that to Celtics defensive stinginess that was yielding only 90.67 points per game at the All-Star break.

Something is going on here and it's not good.

First, experienced NBA teams have a tendency to not play hard during the first half of the season; they mail it in and do just enough to win.

However, this year's Celtics came out aggressive and ready to play. The combination of the newly formed Big Three (Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce) wanted to make their mark early. Surrounding them were a bunch of rookies and no-names that were trying to earn their spot.

Unlike most teams, they played hard each night. Unfortunately, now others are waking from their winter hibernation and coming to play.

Second, Garnett makes a big difference defensively for the Celtics. His presence in the paint is huge. Unfortunately, he is not playing at 100 percent capacity right now. That means fewer minutes on the floor and a little less intensity while he is on the floor.

Third, Doc Rivers needs to do a better job of adjusting during a game. He needs to change the tempo of the game to suit his team and unnerve the opponents. The Nuggets and Warriors like to run the ball and push the pace. The Celtics need to change the tempo and make the other team adjust.

If New England Patriot's coach Bill Belichick were coaching this team, he would come to each game with a specific game plan to beat the opponent. He would "take what the other team gave him" and beat them with his versatile team.

I suggest Doc Rivers take a page out of the Patriots' book (save the Super Bowl) and develop new ways to beat teams.

And play better defense!

Real Season Begins For the Boston Celtics

Sarah — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:05:23 -0500

The Boston Celtics have posted the best record in the NBA through the first half of the season. However, the NBA season is a long journey. Only after the All-Star break does the real season start, and this is when we will learn how good the Celtics really are.

Any NBA season is going to have its ups and downs, but let’s hope the downs have already happened for the Celtics.

Losing Kevin Garnett for nine games was not ideal, but the Celtics have performed admirably in his absence and have posted a 7-2 record with an impressive win over the Spurs.

Fortunately, players like Glen "Big Daddy" Davis have stepped up and filled in for Garnett while he recovered.

But now Boston has to step up their game.

This is when the real season begins.

Several important trades have shifted the balance of power to the Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, and LA Lakers. Teams are playing with more intensity and playing great defense matters.

If the Celtics are going to advance to the NBA Finals they are going to need to stay healthy and play better defense.

Hopefully, Doc Rivers will ease Kevin Garnett back into the line-up and rest him until he is 100 percent.

KG's intensity helps improve the entire team. However, that intensity can also lead to long extended return to 100 percent. Even if it means losing some games in the next few weeks, KG's minutes should be limited.

Let's just hope everyone else stays healthy for the Celtics and its young players like Davis and Rajon Rondo can mature quickly enough to be ready for the upcoming playoff season.

If they can enter the playoffs with a healthy and well rounded team that knows how to play defense, they might have a shot to bring banner No. 17 back to Boston.