Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
The NBA released its 2016-17 schedule last week, but it was kind of a lazy operation. After all anyone can ‘release’ a schedule. That doesn’t take skill. We all know that a schedule is nothing without super serious predictions on what will definitely happen – so that’s what we’ll do. Right here. Right now. Individual predictions for every Celtics game from one through 82. Guaranteed 100 percent accuracy or my name isn’t Vitor Faverani.
Boston.com – Predicting all 82 games of the 2016-17 Celtics season
Rich Levine, who writes Celtics content for Boston.com and CSNNE, went through the arduous exercise of predicting the outcome of all 82, regular-season Celtics games. It’s a fun exercise and while Levine plays many of the outcomes by the book (no, the Cs don’t sweep the Warriors by an average of 20 points per game), he sprinkles in some witticisms and clever subplots:
October 27: Celtics at Bulls
Chicago’s up three with four seconds left when Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade are ejected for committing simultaneous Flagrant 2 fouls — on each other. Isaiah Thomas hits all four foul shots and Boston wins 102-10
He even predicts a Jimmy Butler trade right at the deadline, which sends Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder. When it all comes to an end, Levine slots the Cs in as a three-seed in the East behind the Cavs and Pacers and pencils them in for 50 wins. All in all, probably in line with how many of us would script the season, and his article amped up my anticipation of what should be a fun season. For the sake of my sanity and these paltry morning dumps, let’s get this season started!
I took umbrage with the commentary that followed one of Levine’s predictions, however, and I’ll post it here.
October 29: Celtics at Hornets
North Carolina state troopers detain Kelly Olynyk after locals reported seeing a longhaired seven-foot-tall woman try to enter the men’s bathroom. He misses the game. The Celtics lose 97- 91.
Making light of North Carolina’s bathroom law that restricts the freedoms of transgendered people was an unnecessary, and low-brow attempt at a joke. I’m sure Levine’s intent was to shine a light on how ridiculous the bill is and how it suppresses the basic rights of transgendered people in the state, but it didn’t come off that way to me. The NBA, about which Levine writes for a living, didn’t find any material about which to joke in the aftermath of the law going into effect. The league just announced that the All-Star game slated for Charlotte has officially moved its locale to New Orleans.
Levine wrote a really enjoyable piece, and I recommend reading through it for its detailed trip through the Cs schedule and for its light-hearted tone. He didn’t need to do this, and he should remove it from the article.
On page 2, show some love for Mike Gorman
You’re spoiled Celtics fans. This guy, @celticsvoice, is a pro’s pro. Made the@NBCOlympics a blast for me. pic.twitter.com/I2zxLJupIQ
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) August 21, 2016
First of all, it goes without saying there isn’t a more underrated, professional and enjoyable play-by-play guy in the league than Mike Gorman– we are spoiled as Cs fans. What I didn’t realize, is that Gorman called basketball games from Rio in a studio in the states.
Gorman has also called Handball in many an Olympics. I’d like to make a motion for Gorman to try his hand at every sport:
Gorman: Here’s Boudia… with the dive… TO THE WATER!
Perhaps Tommy could come with him?
Gorman: Chelimo on the final lap… and he’s DQ’d for stepping off the track
Tommy: Ohhhhh THAT’S TERRIBLE! CHELIMO IS THE NEXT BILL RUSSELL. I’M GOING TO HAVE A WORD WITH THAT SLOVAKIAN JUDGE!
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