Sports Redux: Statements Were Made

Big day for statements. Let's start with the worst and get better.

The Cleveland Cavaliers made a statement. It's better to believe that, anyway, than to think that the Celtics made a statement about being unable to stay on the same floor as the Cavs, if that floor is in Cleveland. The sporting world's ultimate home-court-advantage rivalry took a dismal turn yesterday, as the Cavs raced to a 31-9 lead in the first quarter on their way to a 107-76 stomping.

We guess things could be worse for the C's; after all, if you're going to win one game in Cleveland, better (and vital) to win it in late May instead of on Easter, once your position's already been settled. But Cleveland's thrilled, and why not? They're going to tie the '86 Celtics with a 40-1 home mark, probably, and they've learned that there's a good chance LeBron James can hit Ray Allen with a crowbar and not get called for a foul. Cleveland writer Bill Livingston has written a rivalry-stoker, which probably won't be needed after yesterday's blowout.

Speaking of nascent rivalries, the Angels and Red Sox made statements yesterday. The Angels won, but the lasting statements were made in the first inning. Angry at a late time-call by the ump, Josh Beckett flung the ball in the direction of Bobby Abreu's head. Viewpoints were exchanged, both benches emptied, Torii Hunter freaked out and became the first Angel ejected. Anaheim manager Mike Scioscia, who usually waits until October to become furious and frustrated by the Red Sox, yelled at Beckett for some time until the umps finally granted him the rest of the afternoon off too. Beckett stayed in, and pitched six innings, but picked up the loss. A bright spot for the Sox was Nick Green, who went 2-for-3 in his first start, in his attempt to simultaneously Wally Pipp both Lugo and Lowrie.

The only real statement that the Bruins made is that Saturday's stinkeroo against Buffalo isn't really anything to worry about. The B's smacked the Islanders around, 6-2, for the regular season finale, and get ready to once again play Montreal in the first round. History, of course, suggests that this series will be explosive; the last two times the Bruins came into the playoffs as heavy favorites, the Habs sent them home early. And last year, when the Habs came in as heavy favorites, the plucky 8-seed Bruins took them to the limit. Not to mention the decades of fury before that. Should be fun.