Sports Redux: Doubt-Plagued C's Collapse Again

Another sizable half-court lead....another third quarter stinkbomb. Such are the ways of the Celtics in this young 2010. In this case, it was another total offensive breakdown and a pretty intense lack of defense that turned a 55-43 halftime lead into a 93-85 final score.

The Celtics are now under .500 against teams that are over .500. The Hornets are just barely in that latter category, and with superstar point guard Chris Paul injured and reduced to yelling at Rasheed Wallace while dressed like 1996-vintage Boyz II Men, this should have been a win. Unfortunately for the C's, rookie backup point guard Darren Collison looked even better than Paul, and out-Rondoed Rondo en route to 25 points and nine assists. The Celtics didn't do themselves any favors by committing 22 turnovers and missing eleven free throws.

So it's now the All-Star Break, and no team in the history of the universe has ever needed a few days off more. Unfortunately, 3/5 of the starting lineup has ASG obligations and won't really get any rest. And the starting lineup last night (which included Tony Allen, as Ray had back spasms) looked like they needed to go on a fishing trip. KG: 2 for 9. Pierce: 4 for 11. As much as we loved the play of Glen Davis and (especially) Marquis Daniels last night, this really isn't a team built to rely on the bench that much. Pierce tried to explain the team's recent collapse of confidence: "When we lose a lead, we’re hesitant, we’re not cutting as sharp, we’re turning the ball over, our defensive swagger isn’t there anymore, and we’ve got to find a way to get that back." It better happen soon, because they've got an upcoming West Coast trip that has some teams over .500 on it. Well over .500

The day when pitchers and catchers report to Florida hasn't come yet, but apparently the Red Sox are getting a jump on spring training, as some of their regulars have already arrived in Fort Myers. One of the early birds is Kevin Youkilis, who Steve Buckley reports has become one of us. He wants to be a Red Sox lifer and a long-term resident of the Boston area. Wicked cool, Youk.

If the New Jersey Nets (4-48) haven't suffered enough, things keep getting worse. First, due to terrible weather and the drawing power of the Milwaukee Bucks, the Nets only drew 1,016 to their game last night (here's what that looks like), and worse, ESPN is reporting that Rick Pitino has no interest in coming back to the NBA and coaching in New Jersey. Which means that Rick Pitino will be coaching in New Jersey within 16 months. And somehow leaving the franchise in even worse shape than 4-48 within three years. We never thought it would be possible to feel this sorry for NY-area sports fans, but man, Jersey...we're sorry.