Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff

In keeping with the spirit of Election Day, here are a few endorsements from the sports world (unlike Choice Voting, these aren't ranked in any particular order of preference or common sense):

1) The Boston Celtics could win this season in a landslide. They are good...scary good. Assuming relatively good health, the '95-'96 Chicago Bulls record of 72-wins in a season is in serious jeopardy.

2) Forget the traditional chant of "four more years." C's fans got an election eve bonus with Danny Ainge and Rajon Rondo voting to let the incredibly gifted point guard serve another five year term in Green.

Rather than sulk and pout over offseason criticism at his leadership skills and maturity, Rondo listened, learned and apparently did what was necessary to convince his bosses he was a keeper. While that might sound like a common sense way to act, it isn't always how things work out with spoiled young athletes these days.

3) Don't worry so much about the Bruins record this year. Early exit polling indicates they aren't going to win the Stanley Cup in 2009-10. They simply aren't built to do so yet, injuries or no injuries.

Pay closer attention instead to the won-lost ledger for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who currently posses the NHL's worst record. Through the very shrewd Phil Kessel deal, the Black and Gold own the Leafs first pick in the next two drafts. The player or players to lead Boston back to the Promised Land could very well come from those two selections.

4) Even a critic like yours truly has to admit the honeymoon period of Brett Favre's term in Minnesota has gone better than expected. The last washed up athlete to be this adored in the Twin Cities was Jesse "The Governor" Ventura. Unfortunately for Vikings fans, that'll make the inevitable game-losing playoff interception that much harder to stomach.

5) As for another frequent target in this space, there's no backhanded compliment forthcoming for C.C. Sabbathia...just a legitimate admission that I was wrong. The hefty lefty not only does have the stuff to win in the playoffs, but he's done it on three days rest twice this playoff season. Not many starters are asked to that even once, never mind back to back times.

Sounds silly to say it, but New York's $161-million investment over seven years has already been worth every penny.

6) The MVC Large School runoff will be decided on a Friday the 13th...November 13th, to be exact, when Billerica travels to Lawrence to battle Central Catholic. The projection here: home field advantage gives head coach Chuck Adamopoulos and Central the edge. (Had the game been scheduled for "the 'Ric," Peter Flynn's Indians would be the choice)

7) The Small School votes won't be tallied till Turkey Day, when Dracut hosts Methuen in what would have been an intense matchup even without a playoff berth on the line. You have to hand it to Methuen head coach (and former Lowell High assistant) Pat Graham, who has his Rangers in serious contention despite returning only six starters. That said, Dracut's experience, plus the revenge factor from last Thanksgiving, will catapult the Jeff Moore's Middies back into the post-season.

That's the view from here...how do you see things?