Eagle-Tribune Blogs: Burt Talks Sports

20 reader comments to “Bring it on … Live blogging has begun”

1. 1
   Max said:

   What has happened to Ray Allen? He seems like he disappears for quarters at a time?

   Posted: May 16th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
2. 2
   Bill Burt said:

   Max
   Great question. Allen has averaged a paltry 11 points since the end of April. He has struggled handling the ball, too. He doesn’t have to score a lot for the Celts to win but he has to get open at key times and he hasn’t. He can’t create a shot for himself. He needs Rondo. Let’s see if Rondo goes out of his way to get him a few more 3-point attempts. With Rondo scoring more it would alleviate the amount of points they need from Allen. But I wouldn’t count on 20 a game from Rondo. About 12 is more like it. Allen should be up around 16 to 18, which includes 3 to 4 long bombs.

   Posted: May 16th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
3. 3
   Jerry said:

   Bill
   Do you think Tony House should play more? I do. I don’t like Sam Cassell and it would be a break for Ray Allen, who as you said, is struggling.

   Posted: May 16th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
4. 4
   Bill Burt said:

   Jerry
   You might be on to something. But Doc Rivers was adament at a pregame press conference for Game 5, saying House is on the bench and will play only in an emergency (foul trouble). He can get hot and might be worth taking a flier on. The thing I like about him is there is no hesitation. He’s shooting. Yes, I would give him a few minutes to see if there is a spark there. If there is, ride it. If not, get him on the bench.

   Posted: May 16th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
5. 5
   bocatennis said:

   bill, why has eddie house been benched for the playoffs. doc rivers needs to explain his logic. eddie was a big part of the celtics success and to bench him for the playoffs is just plain stupid. what do you think?

   Posted: May 16th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
6. 6
   Bill Burt said:

   Bocatennis
   I just answered that. Of course, I didn’t realize he wrote “Tony” House. Anyway, I don’t think Doc has had a lot of confidence in House. The fact that they felt they needed to get Cassell said that. House can shoot. I’ve seen him hit 10 3-pointers in a row in practice as if he was shooting layups. I would give him a shot — pun intended! — to play in the second quarter, when the second group is out there, maybe even taking up Ray Allen’s minutes. Of course, they’d have to put Cassell in a strait jacket he’d be so incensed, but it is worth giving him a short leash, a few 3’s. Good question.

   Posted: May 16th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
7. 7
   Kelly said:

   Bill
   What do you think Tom Thibodeau’s influence is on this team? My brother knows him and says he is one of the great assistants in the NBA. I don’t hear him speak at all.

   Posted: May 16th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
8. 8
   Bill Burt said:

   Kelly
   Funny you should ask. I have a feature coming out on “Thibs” as he is called on Sunday in the Eagle-Tribune. How much influence? According to people in the know he’s coming to C’s has changed the way they play defense. He is basically the “defensive coordinator.” Doc lets him run the defense. They are No. 1 in a few categories (Opp. FG% and Opp. 3-point FG%) and No. 2, barely in points allowed. A couple of guys I know in college basketball say he is one of the smartest guys they know. Former coach Jeff Van Gundy says he will be a great NBA coach. That’s enough. Read the story on Sunday.

   Posted: May 16th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
9. 9
   bocatennis said:

   Hi Bill,
   If any golf clubs in the area need a good golf pro,
   I may be looking for a new job in your area. I played college golf
   and was an all american. Any suggestions for me.
   Thank You,
   Matt Walsh
   Director of Golf
   Kaanapali Resort

   Posted: May 16th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
10. 10
    Bill Burt said:

    Matt
    You may want to stay in the North Pacific Ocean region. Though I’ve heard there are openings at a miniature golf course in Nome, Alaska, a little to your northeast.

    Posted: May 16th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
11. 11
    Matt said:

    Bill
    Do you think Bill Belichick is a cheater?

    Posted: May 16th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
12. 12
    Bill Burt said:

    Enough with Matt, please.

    Posted: May 16th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
13. 13
    Cheryl B said:

    Bill
    Why can’t any NBA team win on the road in the playoffs?

    Posted: May 16th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
14. 14
    Bill Burt said:

    Cheryl B
    That’s a good question because we’ve been railing against the Celtics for the road woes, and really, only Detroit’s win in Philadelphia has happened thus far. The problem, though, is the Celtics were great on the road during the regular season and Atlanta and Cleveland aren’t exactly Detroit and San Antonio. The fact is people expect more from the Celtics.
    To answer your question, the fans are so close to the action and the referees give the home team the close calls most of the time. The Celtics get a lot of energy playing at the Garden. I have to say it is reminiscent of the Bird Era. We will see tonight, though, because championship teams win on the road. If San Antonio beats New Orleans in Game 7, watch out for the Spurs.

    Posted: May 16th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
15. 15
    Cheryl B said:

    One more question:
    Do you think Doc Rivers is doing a good job?

    Posted: May 16th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
16. 16
    Bill Burt said:

    Cheryl
    This is very easy. ABSOLUTELY.
    I believe Doc Rivers is perfect for this team. He has gotten them to buy into his defensive pressure and he has given every player a role. You can’t blame him if Ray Allen can’t get open. Sure, he can help and make adjustments, but his job is to have his team ready. This is not a coaches league. It’s a players’ league.
    I like Doc because he is honest, probably the most honest head coach of a Boston pro sports team outside of Joe Morgan. He tells the truth even when it isn’t pretty.
    The fact that he is a nice person doesn’t hurt either. But I like him because he’s not afraid to criticize a player. He gets away with it because he doesn’t do it “through” the media. He criticizes the player to his face first.
    I believe he gets credit for bringing along this franchise and helping in the development of players like Ryan Gomes, Delonte West, Rajon Rondo and Al Jefferson.
    He deserved recognition for Coach of the Year. He would have gotten my vote.

    Posted: May 16th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
17. 17
    Steve B said:

    Bill
    What is your opinion of John Tomase and his apology?
    I was a big fan of his when he worked at The Eagle-Tribune.

    Posted: May 16th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
18. 18
    Bill Burt said:

    Steve
    Without writing a book here (I spoke about this on the Big Show yesterday), I believe John made a big mistake and he apologized for it.
    I don’t know exactly what happened or what process the Herald goes through when they “red flag” a story. I’m assuming, and I don’t know, that an editor or two felt the wrath of the Herald publisher.
    John is one of the most talented sportswriters in the Boston area. We saw it firsthand when he was with us at the Eagle-Tribune. There are pressures, especially at the bigger dailies, to break stories. That is part of the fun and excitement. And, as he noted in his apology, that might have gotten the better of him.
    It won’t be easy for him over the next few months, maybe even a little longer. But he will deal with it and learn a valuable lesson.
    As for the Patriots and Bill Belichick or even Patriots fans, it’s up to them to accept or reject his apology. But everybody messes up. EVERYBODY. Hopefully his apology is accepted eventually by the masses and he can go back to being a great writer again.

    Posted: May 16th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
19. 19
    Bill Burt said:

    Nice job everyone.
    If you have any more thoughts or comments, leave them here.
    I will check them over the weekend.
    Have nice weekend.

    Posted: May 16th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
20. 20
    Irv Arons said:

    Bill, nicely said about John Tomase. I fully agree with you. I hope he can gain back the trust of the public and those in the football operations.

    Posted: May 16th, 2008 at 3:56 pm