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.

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!

FINEST NINE TWEETS FROM THE LAST WEEK

1) Lester more and more reminds me of the young Pettitte with better velocity and change.

2) LOL RT @jorgearangure: He’s going to get somebody pregnant tonight RT @Ledger_Yankees: Tracy Morgan dancing to some music here at the park.

3) As side from Cs, best news I’ve gotten in about a month Red Sox RT @bruceallen: Kevin Millar joins NESN as Studio Analyst on Red Sox games.

4) Lol RT @leedeeaah: Is he wearing 3D glasses from the movies? Hahah! R those sunglasses from the future?

5) Perk can smile? RT @ThatSportsBabe: RT @nbamusings: I just voted for this photo, check it out

6) If Buchholz continues to pitch this well and everything else stays constant, the Red Sox #1 and #2 starters will be paid the least.

7) Pedroia is so good at the plate that I don’t appreciate how good he is with the leather.

Could Yu Darvish be thinking about changing course and come to MLB?

9) Sitting front row behind home plate, Miguel Cabrera v Jon Lester so I’ll read the news paper. WTF

BUY, SELL, HOLD

Even after a 14-12 stretch for the Red Sox, I’m not hitting the panic button yet. I don’t think the Red Sox make the playoffs although they do still have a shot at the postseason. My opinion could change after May 26th. As of right now, I’m holding Yawkey Way stock. But the Olde Towne Team has to kick some ass in the next thirteen games – eleven on the road – against the top teams in the A.L. and the two-time defending N.L. Champs, the Phillies. This stretch will be a barometer for the Red Sox season.

I’m buying the Celtics. They match up relatively well against the Magic’s three top offensive weapons – KG – Lewis, Perk – Howard, Ray Ray – Carter. In this series, Pierce and Rondo have to lead the way offensively.

I’m also buying the Cavs and Cleveland. LBJ is not leaving Cleveland. The “Mistake by the Lake”’s economy is not going to collapse. LBJ still has to bring a Championship to OH-IO. He will have an early opt-out clause in his contract.

ALMOST HIT IT

On Saturday, I came close to hitting the panic button for Fire Brand.

The 2010 Red Sox will have a difficult time getting into the playoffs after this below 500 start. They need either the Yankees or Rays to faultier in an area without a backup plan or win nearly every series going forward. Either scenario is unlikely and this may very well be the “bridge” year.

I’m still going to wait until after this home stand before calling for big changes (Papelbon, VMart, Beltre, etc.). On the sunny side, the Red Sox “big three” have pitched well in their last outings and Clay Buchholz has looked very good.

FINEST NINE TWEETS FROM THE LAST WEEK

1) Red Sox signing of Cuban, Adalberto Ibarra, tells me they have less confidence than say publicly bout internal C prospects (cont)

2) Many think the Red Sox and media over hype all of their prospects and same goes for Yankees. Always b skeptical or don’t believe the hype.

3) RT @jaypeakdeals:..opening Thursday-Sunday..ticket deal. $39 gets you a lift ticket..a full lunch at Tower Bar inside Tram Haus Lodge.

4) RT @Jared_Carrabis: Tek has been raking since..wearing his pants down. He should change his plate music to “Pants On the Ground.” MVP season

5) @drjefflo @Sean_McAdam I was at some of those expos games-same product, sit anywhere for $5, easy parking, no lines. It wasn’t all bad

6) @immortalkid Howard signing is a classic case of paying for past rather than future performance; cherry on top is he wasn’t even fa.

7) Reason I didn’t draft him injury risk RT @Buster_ESPN: Heard this: Brett Anderson will be out the next 4 to 6 weeks, with the flexor strain.

Awesome! RT @MLBNetwork: Solid 60 is..at 9pm ET with 60 commercial-free min of all the latest highlights, updates from tonight’s games.

9) Ellsbury 07 track RT @AmalieBenjamin: Lars Anderson was promoted to Triple A, after hitting .355 with 5 homers,16 RBI in Double A.

SURE HAS BEEN A GHOST LATELY

If you are missing me, I’m writing once a week on Saturdays for Fire Brand of the American League. I’ll still be posting here and I’m active on twitter. And since I’m new to the ranks of the unemployed, it is likely I’ll be writing/posting/tweeting more and more.

THE PANIC BUTTON HAS BEEN LOCATED AND DUSTED OFF

But I’m not ready to push it until after May 13 or when the Olde Towne Team has completed playing 20 out of 26 games at Fenway. As bad as the Sox have looked, it is still early…right?…right?

FINEST NINE TWEETS FROM THE LAST WEEK

1) @IanMBrowne Ortiz should have been all over that 3-1 fastball. I’m concerned. I heart David Ortiz.

2) If Andy Pettitte can throw his curve ball for strikes, then he is usually tough.

3) This is late but a very good article by @AmalieBenjamin on the Red Sox Tom Tippett

4) To my NYC followers, get there RT @alchemistbeer: Four of my beers will be on tap this Sunday at the Blind Tiger Ale House in NYC.

5) Good informative article on Burlington, VT finances and Jonathan Leopold by Kevin J. Kelly for @Seven_Days

6) Same for me and I would never leave my apt. RT @amandarykoff: I’ve decided not to get MLB Extra Innings. If I get it, I will never not watch baseball.

7) Wondering if CC Sabathia wears #52 because it matches his pant size?

Red Sox fans should hope that LeBron James goes anywhere other than to the N.J. Nets. It would be a huge revenue boost for Yes Network a.k.a. the MFY.

9) Does David Ortiz get tossed this yr more than Rasheed Wallace? He seems angry so far this spring.

RANDOM RUMBLINGS ON OPENING NIGHT

* I felt dirty after watching Dr Dre and company big pimpin’ his headphones.

* On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the best, Pedro Martinez throwing out the first pitch was a 536.

* Keri Hilson was by far the best singer in the house last night and the cutest.

* To Joshua Sacco’s parents, your family’s 15 minutes are up. To the Red Sox Game Day Production Department, C’mon; not applicable.

* The good and bad of Curtis Granderson were on display last night. Good: home run power. Bad: poor jumps in center and useless against lefties.

* C.C. Sabathia has always been big but last night he looked fat with a beer belly.

* Could Heidi Whatney have quasi-man man hands?

* David Ortiz not being able to catch up to good fastballs when everyone knows the gas is coming is a horrible sign.

* Ryan Westmoreland sitting in Theo’s box was the best part of Opening Night.

(boston.barstoolsports.com.com)

* Steven Tyler should be doing anti-drug commercials not signing.

* Score one for the pink hats: Neil Diamond horribly sang “Sweet Caroline”, at least the Sox were up in the eighth.

* Winning the first game is fine, but winning the last game of the year in October is what really counts.