Sports Redux: Just What Doc Ordered

"I do think we're turning in the right direction," said Doc Rivers after the game last night. Whether it's that the Celtics actually have shaken off the early-January stinkiness, or whether it was just the appearance of the godawful New Jersey Nets, the Celtics enjoyed their biggest blowout in a long time, cruising to a 118-86 win and bringing Gino out of mothballs for the first time in forever.

It was only a 10-point lead at halftime, but anyone who knows basketball knew that a little extra effort by the C's would bury Jersey for good. And so just like that, Paul Pierce scored 18 in the third, Garnett and Ray keyed the defense, and the C's were off and running to a 37-19 quarter. Pierce and Garnett were not needed in the fourth, which quickly turned into a Tantalizing Preview of the Bill Walker Era (6 points, most of them acrobatic).

The C's defense was back to its usual standard, though we stress that playing the Nets makes good defense look easy. NJ shot just 39% and hit more free throws than field goals. Particularly appalling were Vince Carter (1-for-10, and what ever happened to him?) and Brook Lopez (4-14, and we don't see anything ever happening for him). Meanwhile, every Celtic in uniform scored except Sam Cassell, who at least is keeping busy while waiting to be needed.

The Globe introduces us to Nick Caserio, whose life just got a lot busier as he's going to fill some of the role that Scott Pioli had in Foxboro for the last few years. Special teams coach Brad Seely is the latest guy to leave, for Cleveland; we're waiting for the other shoe to drop and find out that Pat Patriots is in negotiations to appear on the other side of the Steelers' helmet.

Good article by ESPN's Jerry Crasnick about the Red Sox' offseason, where their patient strategy (which is one way of saying "they didn't sign any superstars") might just pay off and prove Theo a genius. New Sox pitcher Brad Penny checked out the Celtics at the Garden last night; we feel like it's time for Lou Brown to come in and give him the "they say you're a pitcher; you sure ain't much of a dresser" speech.