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June 29, 2007
The NBA Draft, a scared wife, the media & more
My better half walked into our home last night around 8:30 and I can’t blame her for immediately darting upstairs.
Here’s what she saw: Me at the kitchen table, furiously typing my thoughts about the Celtics’ trade for Ray Allen in a live NBA Draft chat room.
I’ve also got the big plasma tuned to ESPN, which is competing with commentary from Sports Radio WEEI-AM and, AND a live podcast.
Somehow, I managed to listen to all three broadcasts — over the Internet, TV and radio — and argue with some dude over the Web about the trade. It was kind of loud and overwhelming. Welcome to Casa de Ravens, a.k.a. NBA Draft Central! Sorry, honey!
I woke up this morning thinking I’d put together some essay on how last night was yet another example of New Media. There’s loads of outlets — cell phones, computers, TV, newspapers, blogs, podcasts, radio — and it’s turning the business upside down. But we already know that, so let’s talk about the draft — that’s more fun.
As a former sports writer, I haven’t injected the Ravin’ with Ravens blog with enough sports chat. Hey, it counts as entertainment, right?
Here are my thoughts on the trade, which netted the Celts an All-Star in Allen: I hope there’s more to come. I think the C’s are now one big trade away (isn’t everyone, though?) from making a serious run at the Eastern Conference title.
If Danny can move Big Al, and some lesser parts for Kevin Garnett — DO IT! A three-headed monster of KG-Pierce-Allen would make the Celts instant contenders in the East, which is weaker than Kevin Durant on the bench press.
But, winning the East doesn’t mean all that much when you consider the West is king. However, you never know what can happen in a seven game series. I could go on, but I’ll spare you another sports cliché — you’ll get enough of those this weekend from almost EVERYONE with a microphone or computer.
Have a good weekend!
—Andy
Posted by Andy Ravens at June 29, 2007 11:01 AM
Comments
Hey Andy...I never realized you were such an avid hoops fan. An intelligent one, too! And I'd say that even if you didn't hold the same point of view as I do...wink, wink!
Isn't technology awesome? Because I was stuck in a restaurant with blaring music and a hundred people around me, I was reduced to lip-reading ESPN and FSN. However, thanks to my favorite new toy, my trusty Treo, I tracked every hoops website known to mankind and had a pretty good idea what was going on. I only wish I had time to argue with the non-believers in the chat-rooms!
Posted by: Teddy P. at June 29, 2007 1:52 PM
Hey Teddy,
Oh, yes, I am a big hoops fans — I like all sports. I feel that you have to stick with your four teams (mine are the Celts, Bruins, Sox and Pats) through good and bad times. I remember LISTENING to Pats games on the radio as a kid wondering why they weren't on TV (I didn't understand the word "blackout). I had faith that they'd some day win the Super Bowl and look how that paid off. I have the same faith in the Celtics. The Bruins? Yikes. That's another story!
Andy
Posted by: Andy at July 6, 2007 11:11 AM
Shocked you'd be in favor of trading Big Al for Garnett. You're too smart a sports fan :-)
Garnett has too many miles on him, and stats-wise (averaged out by minutes played) actually show very similar production between him and Al.
Getting a 32 year old shooting guard (with bum ankles) does absolutely nothing for this team. Even worse, puts us right back into the mode of making the Playoffs, getting knocked out in the 1st round, and then missing out on a lottery pick, ending up with the Joe Forte of that given year.
Looks like Ainge's 5 year plan has become a 15 year plan, cuz that's how long we'll be waiting for the next banner (right around when Oden and Durant are retiring)
Posted by: Sutliff at July 9, 2007 2:28 PM