Even if you’re a “glass is half-empty” kind of person, you have to be quite pleased with what the summer has brought our favorite sports entries. In fact, the news is so good, the glass is overflowing, not just half-full.

The other day, the previously pathetic Celtics agreed to terms with free-agent James Posey on a 2-year contract for slightly less than the veteran exemption. The 30-year old forward brings much needed defense and toughness, not to mention championship experience. The New Jersey Nets were said to be interested in Posey. Pat Riley and the Miami Heat very much wanted to re-sign the 9-year veteran. Neither team could close the deal. Just hours after Reggie Miller decided against a comeback, Danny Ainge turned his attention to Posey and had ink on a contract.

Let me summarize that last paragraph for those who may have missed the point; a valuable and highly coveted role player had months to decide between playing with Jason Kidd and Vince Carter or Dwayne Wade and Shaq. Yet in less time than it takes an out-of-rehab Lindsay Lohan to get pulled over by police, James Posey opted for bargain basement money and a green uniform.

Yes folks, Boston is an NBA destination city again!

In horse racing, the jockey knows how much horse he has under him by seeing how the thoroughbred responds when prodded to run. In his post-game press conference the other night, Bill Belichick singled out the running game and run defense for praise. He also indicated the players had their best week of practice. For a coach who generally likes to keep expectations in check, the responses were a departure from the normal “we did some things well, other things not so well, we have a long way to go to get where we need to be” quotes.

Sounds to me like Belichick asked his team for a little run at the 3rd pre-season pole, and that he likes how much horse he has under him.

Reche Caldwell, on the other hand, might want to start searching for another racetrack. On a night where Randy Moss and Jabar Gaffney didn’t play, Kelly Washington, not Caldwell, started opposite Donte Stallworth. Caldwell is also on the books for a $1.5-million salary cap hit come opening day.

Hope he doesn’t have a long-term lease or mortgage.

As we told you last week, that shrinking object in the rear-view mirror is the New York Yankees. So let’s get down to serious business and start thinking about playoff rotations. Here’s how Tito Panos lines ‘em up:

Josh Beckett gets Game-1 and Dice-K takes Game-2. Then it gets Dicey. Based on numbers alone, Tim Wakefield should get the call next, followed by Curt Schilling. The knuckleballer has been unbelievable this year, tying Beckett for most wins in the league with 16 and working on a streak of 22-consecutive scoreless innings. So why don’t I want to see him on the mound come October?

Aaron Boone aside, Wakefield was great against the Yankees in 2003. Other than that, he’s been a playoff bust. In 16-career appearances, Wakefield has posted an ERA of 6.12. Does that number inspire confidence in you?

Not only do I give the ball to Schilling, one of the great clutch pitchers of our time, in Game-3, but I also think long and hard about what to do in Game-4. This is where Jon Lester’s disappointing performance really hurts. (Am I the only one who thinks Clay Buchholz will pitch an important game this fall before Lester does?) The Sox will either have to send Wakefield to the hill or hand the ball to Beckett on short rest.

See. I knew if I wrote long enough, I’d find reason to see the glass half-empty!