Derek Fisher

A few people commented on Facebook that Derek Fisher's daughter has the same disease as Rowan. Unlike Rowan's case, they were able to use a radical procedure (injecting chemo drugs directly into the eye) to save his daughter's eye. Even if our doctor used such a method (and I don't believe he does), Rowan wouldn't have benefited from this--her tumor's location would have pretty much eradicated any chance to see out of the eye again.

Derek Fisher contacted us during Rowan's illness to make sure that we were satisfied with our medical care and to inquire into whether we financially needed assistance for her treatment. We responded that we were happy with our care and that we fortunately did have insurance.

Still, his kindness pretty much necessitates that I root for one Laker this postseason. But only one.

Sports Things that Bug Me

These things have been bugging me the past few weeks:

1. Kevin Garnett Shooting Jump Shots. Before I saw him play regularly, I used to think that Garnett was a better player than Tim Duncan. My argument went, if you surrounded Garnett with the talent Duncan worked with, he'd have just as many rings. Well, 12 playoff games later I'm ready to amend this thought. While Garnett is a much better defensive player, I think his lack of college experience hurt his offensive development. He just doesn't play like the physically imposing player he could be. When Duncan gets the ball in the post, he's going to the rim. Garnett is happy to settle for a fade away, or he'll pass it out of the post. Take the ball to the damn hoop. Seriously. Argh.

2. Complaints Regarding Manny's High Five. If I hear one more sports journalist / media personality complain about how all athletes are overpaid and greedy and then bash Ramirez for actually having fun and playing the game like a game I'm going to go something something. Manny enjoys baseball. I enjoy watching Manny play baseball. He among the three best righthanded hitters of his generation (Pujols, A-Rod), and the three of them likely comprise the three best righthanders ever playing together at one time. Is he a space cadet? Yeah, a little. But in an age of self-importance and self-promotion, many is a breathe of fresh air.

3. Obsessive Coverage of 'Spygate'. O.k., I'll probably be a bit of a homer here. But anyone who thinks the Patriots are the only team in professional football to utilize videotape beyond the written letter of the rules: you are crazy. I am not suggesting that every coach uses tape- I would bet 100$ that straight arrow Tony Dungy has never taped a TV program for fear he might be breaking copyright law. The reason Goddell and the NFL wants this to go away: they don't want the equivalent of a steroid controversy haunting their sport. Spying has been a part of football since the early 60's, when Hank Stram thought every team was sending agents to observe practices. Don't get me wrong: spying is against the rules, the Pats deserved to be punished. But please don't insinuate that the Pats are the only ones abusing the film room.

4. NCAA rules against playoff but adds two additional bowl games combined with OJ Mayo takes money. Maybe OJ didn't take money (innocent until proven guilty), but he should have. If the NCAA and USC are marketing Mayo to get more money, then he should be getting paid. Millions? No. But players should be able to accept up to 40,000 dollars (completely arbitrary number) from third parties every year. I am not suggesting teams or the NCAA pay athletes. But holding to the mantra of strict amateurism amounts to an unfair indentured service in an age when schools are using their athletic programs to build dorms, labs, and parking garages. Again: if the teams and league makes profit from the players, then the players should be able to make profit from the players. On a related point: wtf. wtf. wtf. Just give us one more bowl game. It will not diminish the ratings or prestige of the other bowls. Take the five top bowls- make one of them the "championship game." I realize that games are stretched out one a night to increase ratings. Fine. Start them a bit earlier, play two on one night, and you can have your championship game without adding an extra time to the schedule.

Good Deal... Two Months Ago

Every sportscaster from Boston to Beijing is telling me I should be estactic over the Celtics move to acquire Kevin Garnett. And, as a fan who hasn't sniffed relevancy in a few years, I am. But someone explain this to me. Here's what Garnett cost before this year's draft:

• First-round draft pick (#5 overall)
• Al Jefferson

As I wrote back then, a very reasonable deal. Here's what Garnett's going to cost us if the deal is completed as reported:

• Al Jefferson
• Gerald Green
• Ryan Gomes
• Theo Ratliff
• Sebastian Telfair
• Two future first round picks

Um... I understand the two first round picks since a team with the nucleus of Pierce, Allen, and Garnett should finish pretty high in the standings--those picks aren't going to be lottery picks. I understand why Minnesota would want Ratliff, since his large, expiring contract is perfect for a team openly rebuilding. Jefferson is the best young talented player on the C's roster. Fair.

But it begins to get a bit insane (read: Herschel Walker, Ricky Williams) when you add Green and Gomes--both of whom, if memory serves, are first round picks. And both showed solid progress that season--Green averaged over 10 points, coming on late in the season; Gomes averaged 12 points and 6 boards. Its Gomes for me that really pushes this over the edge--I mean, don't you have to start five players (not, as the Celtics seem to assume, 3)?

KG is great, and assuming three 30+ year olds can stay healthy for 82+, the Celtics become an instant favorite in the East, who hasn't seen an inside presence as dominant as KG since the first time Shaq played in Florida (yes, I'll go on record, Shaq in Miami is among the most overrated athletes ever). But the Celtics are trading away a young, and with exception of Telfair, solid starting five for one player who hasn't committed to a long-term deal. I am a Bostonian. I understand the win now mentality. But don't we have to at least think of the future?

Respected Boston columnist Bill Simmons (who's consistently entertaing, BTW), disagrees with me as to the "talent level" of some of these "young stars." Go Boston. Go relevancy. Go not sucking for another year. Kevin Garnett just might walk through that door.

Better than Expected

No links necessary: things haven't gone well for the Celtics the last decade or so. Outside of one Eastern Finals appearance, its been a tough ten years. Toughest of all has been enduring painful personel decisions--how many future all stars have we traded? And what did we get in return? No, no, it hurts too much to look up the links.

But tonight's NBA draft seems to be a move in the right direction. Although he's got a big contract and is coming off of surgery, I think Ray Allen will be a great addition. So long as he meshes well with Pierce (and his ability to share the ball with Lewis would indicate he will), the Celtics shouldn't suffer through the offensive woes of the last few seasons. They haven't provided Paul any real offensive help since Walker left this team, and that was closer to last century than this season.

I'm even more excited about the prospects of Big Baby. Critics don't like his weight (official scale: 290), but I think being a second round pick will motivate him. And the East doesn't have too many quality big men after Shaq and Howard (we'll see how Ben Wallace plays next season, and if Jermaine O'neil is even in the East).

Finally, I'd like to congratulate Ainge and co for the moves they didn't make. They didn't part ways with Al Jefferson. They didn't part ways with Gerald Green. They dumped Wally Szerbiak's insane contract (he's not good enough for me to care about spelling his name right). Sure, I would have loved Kevin Garnett for Jefferson and the 5 pick. I would have cheered the five pick for O'neil. And I was skeptical when I first heard the name "Allen"-- I thought we would overpay. But they didn't: they made a reasonable trade, brought in a proven all-star, and should rank among the favorites (with Toronto and perhaps Jersey) to win the Atlantic next year.

6'10, 290 lbs. Awesome.

Another Quick One

I don't think we can be friends if you don't like this one:

Powerthirst Sports Drink Spoof - Watch more free videos

Oh, one more thing: the Celtics are in such a dismal place that Kevin Garnett, who hasn't sniffed the playoffs in recent memory, is refusing what (in theory) would be a pretty good trade. Paul Pierce would be the talented wingman that Garnett's never really had in Minnesota. Those two players would make the Celtics a legitimate contender in the East. Oh well. I still think we'll end up trading our #5 pick to the Blazers for Randolf (that way Conley can be united with Oden and the Celtics get another low post player to match up with Jefferson).