Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff

In case you were wondering, thought I’d offer a couple of quick observations on our two winter sports teams.

Paul Pierce made headlines by venting at the Celtics losing ways. I understand the captain’s frustration, but I must offer one piece of advice; Paul, you’re best off zipping it, going away for this last month, and waiting to see how the ping-pong balls bounce. Then Danny Ainge can make a determination of which way to go with the draft pick (keep it or trade it for an established player). Now’s not the time to gripe.

If things continue on this path, make your trade demands at next winter’s trading deadline and nobody will blame you (well, at least I won’t). But this isn’t the time. This team is at a very important crossroads and you, as a leader, need to help right the ship. There’s some good talent there already, and the possibility of Oden or Durant added to the mix. If not one of them, I’m sure that draft pick can be used to bring in a decent veteran to help you, Al Jefferson and Rajon Rondo out.

One more thing; you didn’t make the All-Star team this year because you were hurt, not because your team stinks. They’ve stunk in the past and you still made it, so your logic sounds foolish. See what I mean about it being best to keep your mouth shut?

As for the Bruins…well, they look to me like a team trying to get the coach fired. This is not the most talented collection to ever wear the black and gold, so we can understand the late season slide. What is unforgivable is a 7-0 loss. That’s totally unacceptable in this day and age of reduced scoring and parity. There have been far too many of those types of games, a sign to me that the coach can’t light a fire under his troops.

While I’m offering advice to team captains, you have to pick up your play Zdeno Chara. You are far too much of a physical presence to not be a physical presence on the ice. And your salary is far too much of a presence on the salary cap for the level of play you’ve provided in your first year.

Terry O’Reilly and Johnny Bucyk’s teams never quit as much as your team has. Part of the blame has to go to the man with the “C” on his chest.

What do you think of the B’s and C’s? Which team is closer to a title? Were Pierce’s comments inappropriate or justified? Have the Bruins quit on Dave Lewis? Has Chara been a disappointment?