Celtics fans, please check out this post at Hardwood Paroxysm.

I develop a whole framework for measuring value based on individual contributions to team success, and then present the results in a cool graphical format. The best part is the awesome display of all of Celtics history, showing which players had what value to the team in every season! As the creator, I'd be very interested to hear your impressions on what the BoxScores methodology gets right and what it doesn't, as well as whether the information in the graphical history seems to mesh with your substantive recollections. Thanks a lot!

The Americans came out of the gate on fire and took it to Lithuania from the opening tip for a 120-84 victory. This was impressive because, unlike Canada and Turkey, Lithuania qualified for the Olympics. Furthermore, the Lithuanians are currently ranked 5th in the world. At the same time other teams that will be in Beijing, Spain comes to mind, have point guards. In the end Lithuania suffered from not having Darius Songaila to keep LeBron James in check. As a side note - Dwyane Wade. Box score here. That's it for now.

I linked to this article for two reasons:

1. It reminded me that LeBron James is 23. How did I forget that? Can you imagine what he'll do in 4 years?

2. It also has  a picture of LeBron driving by Semih Erden, who the Celtics drafted 60th overall this past June.

Other thoughts:

- If the highlights are any indication this version of Team USA is looking to dunk on opponents in Beijing.

- Everyone knows Dwight Howard. Still this could be his coming out party.

Marc Spears is reporting that in addition to making a MLE offer to James Posey, the Celtics have made an offer to Corey Maggette.  Considering they need an eventual replacement for Ray Allen, this would certainly be an intriguing pickup.  Maggette averaged 22.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

He's always been considered immensely talented, going back to his days at Duke when he was Dick Vitale's very own Mr. Maggette-oooh.  The question is whether you'd want him over Posey.  It sounds like if they can sign either one it will only be one, not both.  Posey has certainly become a fan favorite after his postseason performance, but Maggette seems like a special talent, which could help carry this team as the veterans get older.  He wouldn't be the bedrock of the team, but he'd be quite a talent to have.

I've added a poll.  I'm a Maggette guy, but I'm sure Posey has plenty of supporters.

Everyone thinks the Boston Celtics had a miracle turnaround, but the only thing miraculous about their championship was trading a bunch of eighth graders for All-Stars. 

www.splicetoday.com

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For those of us who saw Kevin Garnett's post-game interview with Michelle Tafoya, we can agree he definitely went a little bit nuts.  There are plenty of players who are emotional and "wear there heart on their sleeves."  Paul Pierce is an emotional player.  In fact, many professional athletes can be like that.  However, Kevin Garnett may go down as the most emotional player in NBA, if not general sports, history.  Garnett plays with pure, raw emotion unlike anything I've ever seen.  I bring this up because of a highly entertaining article over at slate.com that does a play-by-play of KG postgame.

"I'm certified! I'm certified!" Garnett bellows. This may be the first time you could mistake a newly minted NBA champion for a raving lunatic on the subway . . .

The interview concludes, but the camera stays with Garnett as he turns to find Bill Russell waiting to greet him with a benevolent grin and a bear hug . . .

Now, even the stiffest upper lip in Boston has to be quivering as Garnett and his forebear embrace. "I got one of my own," says Garnett. "I got my own." He steps back, looks at Russell, and says "I hope we made you proud." . . .

A less weird individual might have left it at that, but Garnett has one more line for his mentor: "Now you got to tell me where to go tonight." Russell last won a championship for Boston in 1969. Unless the Celtics always celebrate their championships at the Warren Tavern (est. 1780), the old man's advice isn't going to be that useful. But this is at once a great statement of Garnett's respect for Celtic tradition and of how dedicated he's been to returning the franchise to its former glory—the man doesn't even know a good local bar for celebrating. Have a couple on us tonight, KG. You deserve it.

Plenty of athletes break down and cry when they win their first title.  However, with Garnett, it seemed more real.  He's a guy that pretty much everybody likes and he's always been a guy who played all out every single play of every single game.  It only makes sense that he would go all out crazy once he'd reached his goal.

One thing that will be interesting next season (and this will be something worth exploring in much more depth), is how winning it all will affect the Celtics.  More importantly, how will it affect Kevin Garnett.  I'd imagine the drive and passion will still be there.  Maybe without this King Kong-sized monkey on his back, Garnett will step up to an even greater level?  I can't imagine he's a guy who's competitiveness will simply switch off because he won a single title.  Either way that is definitely one of the more intriguing issues heading into the 2008-2009 season.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Introducing-your-official-NBA-Champion-Celtics-w?urn=nba,88656#comments

Funny stuff from a big clown.  Looks like he's really having fun with it -- Good for you BB......Here's to you and the rest of the CHAMPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Kevin Garnett (via Linux29)

While KG has not been been the crazy dominant monster, we all know and love in this series I still have lots of love for the big man. I can't wait to see him storm the garden tonight. Lots a love for KG. I say in the first quarter he hits 5 for 5. It is going to be a lights out performance from the big 3 tonight. And the big ticket is going to lead the way.

Ok so I haven't always been a fan of James Posey. In fact there were times during the regular season when I cursed the TV everytime he hit the floor because his cocky swagger and unconventional defense made my blood boil. But the playoffs are a different story. Props to Doc Rivers for seeing the diamond in the rough.

Posey has played great D in the finals, nagged the Lakers and provided a spark at times for his teammates to build off of. Well done James. You have won me over.

Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen are 3 players from the basketball and hip-hop culture fusion that is known now as The "Dunkadelic-Era" In America, 1984-Present. The Big 3 has been used by other teams. There was a rap group named the Trecherous 3 during the early 1980's. Kool Moe Dee the popular rapper of the late 80's was the leader of the group.

KG, Double P, and Ray Ray Boston's Dunkadelic-3. 2008 NBA Champions, How You Like Me Now.