Sports Redux: Make New Friends, But Keep The Old

Let's say you're going to the Celtics-Timberwolves game tonight. If you're like most of the people at Celtics games these days, chances are you weren't there last year. Which is perfectly legal on your part. But there's something you should know. Most of the Timberwolves played here last year, during that long, miserable 06-07 campaign, and several of them - promising, hardworking youngsters for the most part - were sent away to make room for the Celtics team you proudly cheer today.

So, please, for the sake of those fans who call themselves "diehard" because they metaphorically died - hard - the last few years, take a couple of minutes to salute the ex-Celts who unwillingly put the 07-08 team together. The guys who were banished to another dismal rebuilding situation and another way-under-.500 season. Take a couple of minutes to cheer Al Jefferson (pictured) and Ryan Gomes, good, hard-working guys who might have actually flourished if they stayed, but in the end had to go. Cheer Antoine Walker, even if it's just to acknowledge that he's not flinging 3's around here anymore. Cheer Gerald Green for being invited back to the dunk contest, and Theo Ratliff, whose expiring contract kept many a late-night trade-speculation discussion alive. If you're feeling especially generous, cheer Sebastian Telfair for not shooting anyone during his Celtics stint.

Then you can get back to being fired up for the current team, especially KG, who was the NBA's leading vote-getter for the All-Star Game. Eastern Coach Doc (still surprises us, frankly) will pilot a team of Garnett, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Jason Kidd and Dwight Howard, and reserves - yet to be named, but will probably include Ray Allen and Paul Pierce (the decision isn't Doc's and Doc's alone, which is a fact probably keeping Brian Scalabrine up nights). The Western starters, if you're interested, are Kobe, Allen Iverson, Yao, Duncan and Carmelo Anthony. The coach is yet to be determined.

The Garden did get its mojo back last night as the Bruins dominated the Islanders, climbing over them for the 7th spot in the East. Dennis Wideman and Milan Lucic scored back-to-back goals in the first, and Marc Savard and Phil Kessel chimed in in the second period for the 4-1 win. (Savard's goal from the side will have MIT physicists scratching their heads for days.)

Tim Thomas was at his best, and was certainly helped by his teammates, who played aggressively throughout and kept all the pressure down at Rick DiPietro's end. That's three wins against New York teams for the B's and one for the C's this week; good omens if your eye is on a certain game Sunday. Just thank Whoever that the Pats aren't playing the Montreal Alouettes.

Photo from Timberwolves.com.