The Good Witch Takes His Act to Beantown

Legitimately cutting down nets

We've joked before that Brad Stevens is a "good witch," because of the magic he was able to sprinkle onto his Butler University basketball program for the past six seasons, which included back-to-back national runners-up in 2010 and 2011.

Stevens, as you know unless you've been in a drunken stupor the past few days (and if you have, good for you for celebrating our independence in true American fashion), took the head coaching job with the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. People were shocked, mainly because Stevens seemed to be a Butler lifer -- or at least he seemed committed to Butler for the foreseeable future. Stevens had been linked to jobs at UCLA, Illinois and other places over the past few years, but he and his family love Indianapolis and always felt more at home there than anywhere else. Add to that the fact that Stevens proved you can win at a smaller program like Butler (backed up not just by the two title game appearances, but the fact that he never won fewer than 22 games while compiling a .772 winning percentage and really, was within one rattled out heave from winning the 2010 national title over Duke) and it began to feel like that warm, fuzzy, feel-good story might continue.

Here was a guy who had nearly reached the mountaintop (and, really, in college basketball, the goal always seems to be reaching a Final Four -- national titles are, of course, the ultimate goal, but Final Fours are probably more frequently referred to when judging coaches) and who seemed to love where he was. Plus he was young, likable and seemed to say and do all the right things.

Then, jarringly, Stevens bolted for Boston. We've never made any secret of the fact that we like Stevens a lot. B-dowd's brother and sister-in-law graduated from Butler and I remember saying to them that I hoped Purdue could one day match the Final Four success of a big time program like Butler (the jokes write themselves sometimes!).

At the same time, he scared us a bit as Purdue fans. While we are unfailingly in support of Matt Painter and his approach, recruiting against Indiana and Notre Dame in the state of Indiana already meant the top players in the state were no easy feat to land. With Butler rising to levels of success IU hasn't seen in a long time (or ever, if you're considering back-to-back Finals appearances) and obviously far better than Purdue or ND basketball has seen, the idea that "mid-major" Butler could "steal" recruits away from the big boys took on serious life. After all, wouldn't you want to play for Brad Stevens? And what if you could play for that guy and be a national darling (like a Gonzaga but with actual substance and the ability to win big games)? And go to Final Fours? Well, hell, that sounds great.

So that was concerning enough. But again, liking the guy and what he was doing made it hard to be anything

but admiring of him and his own version of the "Butler Way." Butler had been sneaky successful for quite a while, under a number of coaches, but Stevens broke through to that proverbial next level.

As this all was happening, murmurs began in different parts of Indiana that maybe he was the guy who should be leading one of the more "marquee" national programs in the state. Painter is a likable guy and a very good coach, but did he have what it took to get to Final Fours? And what about Tom Crean? He can recruit like a mo-fo, but his in-game abilities as a coach have never been marveled at. Fans are restless. Naturally, people talked. What could Brad Stevens do with Purdue or IU's budget, facilities and name recognition?

For us, the more concerning thing was that IU would realize that pretty much anyone could recruit kids to IU -- what they needed (and still need) is a coach who can win tough games, instead of just the ones where his talent overwhelms opponents. Could that happen? We genuinely feared it. Because a Brad Stevens-coached Hoosiers team would be awful from a Purdue perspective in different ways. We'd still loathe them, of course, but they'd be a lot more difficult to hate with Stevens running things. And, of yeah, they'd surely be back in the Final Four on a likely regular basis, so that would be hard to stomach, too.

Now Stevens takes his act to Boston to coach the unlikable Celtics. People are already talking about him co-existing with Rajon Rondo. While I think Rondo is a jackass, I don't think it's fair to assume they can't coexist. Stevens is the type of guy who gets everybody on the same page and has a zen quality when it comes to keeping everyone calm and focused. Doesn't that sound like it might be a good quality to have for the NBA grind? As for Rondo, though, I think he'll be gone before the season starts, so Stevens will probably have a very mediocre team to build from the ground up. Maybe he'll mold them in his ideal shape. Or maybe he'll crash and burn like so many college coaches before him. If he does, what's the downside? He'll be markedly richer and he'll still be the hottest name in college coaching, even 3-5 years from now. In addition, he'll have been to the "promised land" of the NBA, which will undoubtedly help with coaching/recruiting college kids.

That's where my negative, Purdue-centric mind takes us. Three to five more years of Tom Crean's act in Bloomington might be just the right amount of time for a) NCAA infractions to come to light (not saying there are any, but if there are, they never stay in the dark forever) or b) IU to realize they'll be consistently talented and win games under Crean, but aren't likely to add to their musty collection of banners under him. What if that coincides with Brad Stevens becoming available again? Could the nightmare happen a few years down the road? That's the kind of thing that keeps a Purdue fan who has seen years of banana peels up at night.

Suffering from March Madness

In the meantime, we honestly wish Stevens well and, from a more narrow-minded and "now" thinking Purdue perspective, we're happy Matt Painter doesn't have to contend with Stevens either on the recruiting trail or on the court in the Crossroads Classic. For now, Butler's loss is the rest of the state of Indiana's gain, from that point of view. He's the rare guy who could make us pull for the Boston Celtics (at least a little).

In the end, I would suspect that it had nothing to do with not being unhappy at Butler. I think Stevens loved it there and wanted to coach at no other college or university. For those being cynical, I don't think it was an act on his part -- he believed in the Butler Way and his own way of doing things. However, sometimes in life new challenges become available to you that require getting out of your comfort zone. There's no shame in not taking on those new challenges -- especially if you're really happy with what you're doing -- but there's also a lot of people who would lose sleep wondering "what might have been," or wondering if they could have met those new challenges. The NBA is likely that for Brad Stevens -- a new challenge for an ambitious guy who is only where he is because of his gumption and confidence to take the leap and reach for new heights. How else to describe a guy who was working at Eli Lilly when offered the chance at a volunteer position at Butler, yet took the volunteer position and quit his paying job? This guy goes for it, which is just one more reason to admire him.

Happy trails, Coach Stevens. Continue to do what makes you happy.

In Case You Missed it...JJ & Smooge on The Journey

Two of the Big 3 were featured on The Journey last week as they prepared for their entry into the NBA. As usual, it was a good episode...much better than some other players they focused on following their Senior years. A couple players had almost all repeat footage just spliced together, but 33 & 25 had a review with old footage and then a whole bunch of new stuff that I hadn't seen or heard.

Here are some of the things that really stuck out to me:

-JJ and Smooge lived in the same building as they trained in Chicago...but didn't know it until they both lived there.

-Both rode the emotional roller coaster while waiting for their names to be called (no surprise there). I got the idea that they were both promised some things that never came to fruition...that's par for the course. I also felt like their handlers were both super-silver-tongued in their commentary. I guess that's a given though.

J Money often makes fun of me because I get choked up at times watching Purdue-related things. This program was no different. The thing that really got me was seeing JJ get emotional when his dream was realized...that and the interaction and positivity that Smooge displayed when talking to his pal at the end of draft night. I hope these guys both have long careers in the league. Regardless of what they do in the coming years, I'm pretty sure they'll both continue to represent our alma mater and themselves very well.

The Boston Boilermakers

What a cool night at the NBA Draft. Oh, well, other than it being the usual boring, David Stern-level-hip event that it always is. ESPN did their usual awkward interviewing because I guess that's what they think we want to see/hear. But the good news of the night was in the fact that the two winningest players in Purdue history will both be playing in the NBA next year. Even cooler was that they'll remain teammates.

JJ was picked by the Celts using a traded pick from NJ at #27, becoming the first Purdue first round pick since Big Dog went #1 overall in 1994. Not a bad journey for the lean 2007 version of JaJuan to go from timid freshman to first round NBA pick.

Smooge then went with the #25 pick of the second round to, again, the Celtics.

Danny Ainge likes E'Twaun's abilities:

“He’s played strictly a 2 in college, but he can handle the ball,” said Ainge. “But he’s a scorer, no doubt about that. He’s only 6-3, but he has long arms. He’s a good shooter. I saw him score 38 against Ohio State this year.”

Yes, indeed you did, Danny.

It's hard to say right now how critical these two will be for the Celts in the near future as it appears the Boston brain trust wants to make at least one more run with their own Big Three. Add to that the fact that Doc Rivers almost didn't come back for this coming season and it makes you wonder if the Celts will have a completely different look in a couple of years -- if so, maybe these Boilers will be leading the charge.

Unfortunately, numbers 25 and 33 are already retired in Boston, so we'll have to wait and see what Celtics jersey numbers will become the new faves of Purdue fans.

We couldn't be happier for these two. Congratulations, guys.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Matt Painter -- while happy for these two -- has his laser focus set on the upcoming season. Just the way we'd like him to.

A Reason to Watch the Finals?

Here's the deal- I haven't watched a single minute of the NBA Finals live. I don't like the Lakers or the Celtics organizations, I'm not a fan of most of the superstars playing for either team...so I'm rooting against both. Plus, I don't like the league to begin with.

But, the press conference with Nate Robinson & Big Baby was pretty entertaining...and anytime a grown man can run a line of spittle out of his mouth, that's must-see TV.

As much of the Twitterverse said, Big Baby will now never lose his nickname.

All that said, I'm still not watching.

You Stay Classy, Boston

Via With Leather comes this lovely video of Boston fans doing what they do best... I guess.



Yes, yes, I'm sure you're not all like that. But here's the thing: so many of you are like that. Obnoxious and semi-retarded, that is. What other explanation is there for destroying public and private property because your NBA team won a title? And I don't want to hear any bullsh-t about any of my teams because when the Giants won the Super Bowl, there weren't riots in NYC or NJ. Can you imagine if it had been the big bad NY team who was 18-0 and was upset by a Wild Card Pats team? Holy hell. They seriously would have torched all of Boston. Makes perfect sense, too. Destroy the city you support. Wait, what? Too many words.

And while I'm feeling salty, let's talk about Kevin Garnett and his jackassian performance for Michelle Tafoya last night. Tell you what, Kevin, why don't you grow the f-ck up and get control of yourself and conduct an interview like an adult? Oooh, he's so emotional! Ooh, he cares so much! Give me a break. How come every other athlete can handle an interview afterwards? That was just annoying and disrespectful. How do people like this clown?




Two quotes from that interview from Garnett stand out in particular for me... possibly because they're the only semi-coherent things he said.

1) "Anything can happen." -- Really? Like, you mean, Kevin Garnett can not only get out of the first round, but even win a title? Yeah, I guess so. Anything can happen. As long as it's not in Minnesota. Right, Kevin?

2) "Whatchu gonna say now?" -- Huh? Don't even tell me this was a "nobody believed in us" bullsh-t line. The Celts won 66 games this year. If you clowns had not won a title, you would have been colossal failures. So let's not act like you overcame so much. You overcame nothing. You overcame the Hawks, barely, and then the Cavs, barely. And then, yeah, you beat the Pistons and Lakers, all while losing more games than a champ has ever lost I believe. So what am I gonna say now? I'm gonna say, good for you guys. I'm glad it wasn't Kobe who won. But, seriously, Boston fans, does this feel that good? 40% of your starting lineup -- and 67% of your big-time players -- were brought in just this season after long, distinguished careers elsewhere. Are they really Celtics? Doesn't this feel a little hollow? No?

I mean, what if the Chicago Bears traded for Peyton Manning, Terrel Owens, LaDanian Tomlinson and a few other stars and then won the Super Bowl? Would that feel like a Bears title? Or a title that a bunch of guys won? I don't know, I'm seriously kind of asking.

That's all I got.

Is There Anything Redeeming About The NBA Finals?

Okay, NBA and David Stern, you got the series you wanted -- Lakers/Celtics. Hoo-freaking-rah. And sure, I guess I'm a little more likely to take an interest in this series because of the two franchises and that's exactly what they want. But there's so little that's redeeming about these NBA Finals and it irritates me that people still worship these clowns. To whit:

- Why would anyone cheer for Kobe? Can someone explain this to me? I mean, other than Lakers fans, why would you like him? He's a transparent, backstabbing, childish, adultering (and maybe rapist), juvenile brat who pouts and spouts off when he doesn't get his way... and who never really knows what's good for him or the team. I give the Lakers front office amazing credit for the way they put this team together and resisted the urge to dump Kobe last summer. It turns out that the Lakers are freaking good now and that the players Mitch Kupchak was stockpiling have nearly all worked out, and they'll probably be good for a while now. It's not inconceiveable that Kobe and the Lakers will be back in the Finals on a regular basis for the next five years. Yet just a year ago, the little a-hole was saying he wanted to leave... then he didn't, then he did. Maybe he just didn't realize radio shows in LA could eventually be heard by people in New York and vice versa. Or maybe he's just a crazy little brat who should stick to basketball and let others run the team. Shut up and play and make your $20 mill, Kobe. Ugh. Who would want to see him win? He deserves a 23-59 season, not a title.

- The Celts big 3. Well, these guys aren't awful, I guess. But it's kind of hard to root for guys who cruise into town to cash in on a fortuitous situation and wind up with a title. Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen were their teams biggest stars for years and absolutely never delivered. Garnett couldn't get the T-Wolves out of the first round for years and probably sullied the image of Flip Saunders, which Flip is clearly still paying for. As for Allen, likable guy, but never a winner. If these guys win it all, will you feel happy for them? Maybe, I guess, since they've all been longtime players who haven't been able to win. But winning in a uniform they've spent the least amount of time in? I don't know. Also, Doc Rivers is not a very good coach. That will come to light in this series, I think.

- Nice start times, ABC/NBA money-printing machine. Yes, tonight's Game 1 begins at.... wait for it... 9 effing o'clock, Eastern time! That's nucking futs! 9 PM!!! This is inexcusable. I understand the Lakers play in LA and thus, it's only 6 PM there, but people in LA don't even work that late so why not start it at 8 PM, at least, Eastern time, so that people in Boston can kind of enjoy it. Morons. And don't even get me started on the wait time we just had for the Finals to start. How come the Celts first-round Game 7 with Atlanta was on the same day as other Game 1s of the second round? How can you begin the second round without some teams being out of the first? Oh, you're in a hurry to keep things moving? Fantastic. But then why have four off-days before starting the Finals? Ohhhhh, so games can land on the weekend. Well-played, NBA. Not moronic at all.

- The NBA's archaic 2-3-2 Finals format. And it's only for the Finals! Brilliant! And don't give me the "travel" argument. These teams travel on private charter jets with the finest creature comforts, replete with masseuses and probably BJs from fluffers. I don't want to hear anyone feeling sorry for these guys for having to take a couple of cross-country flights. I have to do that for my job oftentimes and I don't get days off in between and I also don't get, oh, you know, three effing months off after a project. And if you're going to use this argument that, well, the 2-3-2 cuts down on travel, well, then, okay, I want to see Games 1 and 2 on back to back nights, and then one day off and then Games 3, 4 and 5 on three consecutive nights, with one day off to go back to Boston for Games 6 and 7. But that's not how it will be done. These guys are so delicate that they get days off all over the place. Oh, wait, that's right -- it's for money/TV reasons. Even this Sunday's Game 2 (Game 2 not until SUNDAY -- if it goes 7, it will take two weeks; ridiculous) will be at 9 PM, Eastern. For what reason? Idiotic NBA.

So tell me... am I wrong? What's awesome about this series?

LeBron Impressed With Himself

"Just two great guys, going at it... two of the best in the league, you know."

This was the soundbyte from the postgame press conference yesterday after the Cavs lost to the Celtics in Game 7 up in Boston (of course it was in Boston -- the C's don't win on the road).

I don't know why it bothers me but it does. I mean, that sounds a little arrogant. And I know great players are cocky, etc., and they need to believe they're good. But to talk about yourself in that third-person way, just bugs me. I know Bird and Magic were cocky, too, but I just can't imagine them talking like this. And then LeBron is comparing himself to Dominique Wilkins and Pierce to Larry Bird. Not quite, LeBron. I don't think Dominique shot 35% in that series.

In fact, had LeBron even shot remotely close to what a great such as himself should shoot, the Cavs would have easily stolen one in Boston and would be moving on to the Eastern Finals right now.

ESPN, of course, is seeking to anoint this game as an "epic." Which is something ESPN does, but hey, can you blame them? They want ratings. But was it really? It was a competitve Game 7 so that's good... but it was a series where a team that should really have dominated (Boston) once again eeked out a 4-3 series win. Is that epic? Do you think the people of Boston now consider Paul Pierce to be in the same category as Larry Legend? Not so sure about that.

"Now they have something to remember in Boston other than what Dominique [Wilkins] and Larry [Bird] did. They'll remember what Paul and LeBron did," James said.

Really? You think so? I don't.

Seriously, Boston...The Hawks?

It's been well-documented that I think the NBA sucks. And the playoffs are for the most part continuing to illustrate that suckitude. LA sweeps Denver, San Antonio has dominated Phoenix, and the Hornets are crushing the no-heart Mavs. And those were expected to be the good series

But just like last year's first round, when Golden State took down top-seed Dallas, there's a lone interesting series going on in the first round... and it happens to be the one that everybody thought would be a complete walkover.

The 66-16 Celtics have somehow allowed the Atlanta Hawks -- the 37-45 Hawks -- back into this series.

I still don't think there a chance in hell that the Celtics will lose this series. But after a year of nobody talking about it, here is suddenly a huge reminder that Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen have been playoff disappointments their entire careers and Doc Rivers hasn't really done much as a coach in the NBA.

Most interesting thing learned, though... the Hawks actually have bloggers... wow. What must that be like most nights

"We lost again tonight... only 3400 people were here."

This is the week blogging for the Hawks actually pays off.

It's been 6 games!

ESPN is already comparing this years Celtics team to the Chicago Bulls team that went 72-10. Are you kidding me? It's been 6 games. I understand that you crave a great team in the Boston market. You want it so desperately. However, it's been 6 games. Six. One more than five.

I'll permit you to start comparing them after... oh... 50 games or so. How's that sound?

ESPN, you are becoming (if not already) a mouthpiece for everything I hate about the sports media. You slurp on anything that you think will be popular. Oh, the Celtics might be good? Let's show Celtics games every day. Let's preempt SportsCenter with breaking news that Rajon Rondo just had a layup. Yay Celtics! Hooray for Boston.

Suck it ESPN!