I can assure that not a beer, milk dud, piece of paper, or swear word will be tossed in the Celtics general direction tonight… For I will be enjoying the game amongst several Celtic friends, and I will spend my time taunting them and possibly hitting on their girlfriends after the Pistons win.

And this blog in particular has a rule of conduct that helps make it so great. That rules goes something like: while opposing teams’ fans can disagree respectfully with the presumed future successes of the Pistons, Pistons mocking rights (be it of the squad or their fans) are reserved solely for Pistons fans. I don’t run this site, but I know I am right in saying if you can’t follow that rule, get out.

You don’t go from not making the playoffs to winning a championship. It just doesn’t work that way… ”

– Hornets coach Byron Scott on his team taking a huge step this season toward winning a title

I appreciate the input, Triple OT, and hope that you stick around after the C’s lose a home game.

First, why, in your opinion, has Boston done so badly on the road during the playoffs? And before you start, no, Atlanta wasn’t really that good/hungry/desperate/whatever. Yeah, a player like Joe Johnson can go nuts for one game and beat you, and nobody thought Boston was going to sweep the Cavs, but 0-6 on the road? Weird.

Second, what’s up with Ray Allen? Second and-a-half, what’s up with Sam-I-Am?

Third, sure, the Celtics have the three biggest names, the three guys that would get picked in a rotisserie/fantasy league before any Piston (based on career averages), and yes, their role players and bench aren’t as bad as everyone thought they might be. But does lack of experience in the playoffs (I mean deep in the playoffs) and/or lack of experience playing together mean anything?

Finally, TripleOT, as to Pierce — again, I loved the guy on my fantasy team this year — but to claim that he’s “one of the best big time players in recent playoff history” you need more than one big game in the second round this year and two good games in early rounds of the playoffs (where the Celtics lost) back in *2002*. Three big games in seven years, none of which led to even getting to the finals? There are probably a couple dozen players with a playoff resume as good or better than Pierce’s, including several Pistons (Chauncey, ‘Sheed, and Rip).

So in the spirit of civility, I’m out of here. I will check back to gloat after the Cs (hopefully) win the series. Enjoy the series, try to stay off the court in Games 3 and 4, and keep your beer and cups in their cupholders or your hands at all times. Peace.

“Is that scholarly enough for you, jackass?”

Hey Douchebag, I stand by my posts. You, however, can’t win an argument with facts and reason, so you have to resort to the above. In my world, the one to resort to taunts first on blogs is always the loser.

I guess it’s easy to be a tough guy pounding your keyboard. Let me guess, now you come back at me with more personal attacks? Or maybe challenge me to a fight? You’re a joke, and to me represent the kind of Pistons fan we saw in the Palace brawl. You know, a scumbag. Were you the fat kid in the Pistons’ jersey who got to know Jermaine O’Neal’s fist up close and personal? No, you were probably the coawrd who threw the drink, and then cowardly pointed at some other guy when Crazy Ron came after you.

Enjoy the series, blowhard. To the rest of the (respectful) posters on this blog, sorry for the tone of this post. I tried to keep it civil, but this poser just won’t come at me with the respect that I (originally) gave him.

As for a winner in this upcoming series, you know, I can’t pick a winner in this one. On the one hand, the Celtics have had an extraordinary year and it has been one wherein winning has come a seemingly endless number of player combinations and surprises. They definitely have the weapons. On the other hand, the veteran Pistons have once again been the embodiment of what NBA basketball is really all about with their talent, savvy, toughness, defense and consistency.

I guess I feel like if the Celtics put it all back together again give you their best, they are going to make it a rough series for you guys. The fact is though that from the very beginning, the C’s have obviously had some issue adjusting to these playoffs and have largely gotten to this current round in not the prettiest or most confidence inspiring fashion. That stands in stark contrast to Detroit’s successful, “business as usual” approach. I think this particular fact is going to be a big factor in this playoff round and I must confess, I have to give the Pistons an edge in the series due to it.

We’ll all just have to see how it plays out. There is little doubt to one thing though. These conference finals have all the makings of a tremendous competition. I’m just happy that I’ll be able to enjoy it more directly and personally with you all this year than I have in so many years past. So once again, I wish you all and your team the best and hope you all enjoy these games as much as I know I will regardless of the final outcome. Know too, that I love Detroit and will be pulling for them in the Finals if they make it to those. Go Eastern Conference and bless you all!

This is the series that was supposed to happen. I’m sure that we will not agree on many officiating calls or coaching moves in the next 2 weeks, but this is the series that was supposed to happen and that is a great thing. The new team on the block vs. the established dominate team (kinda backwards to the 80’s).

I look forward to a great series and several heart attacks in the next 2 weeks…I won’t go as far as wishing you all good luck…but I will say this should be fun!!

*Pops jersey*