A New Beginning: The 2006-2007 Season

This month marks the beginning of a new basketball season for me both as a high school coach and as a basketball fan. As a life long Celtics fan, NBA and College basketball fan as well, this is one of my favorite times of the year. One thing will be absent this season and every season that lays ahead. The great Red Auerbach passed away on Saturday October 28th. Not only did he build the Boston Celtics but he was largely responsible for making the NBA for what it is today. I will post a Red Auerbach piece at some point this month and there will pictures of him on the blog throughout the season. Even if you are not a Celtics or an NBA fan you should know that this man did more than you can imagine for the game of basketball. Thank you for everything Red, you will be missed.

I coach at a New York City private school and we began JV and Varsity tryouts on Monday. It was great to be back in the gym, that feeling of the first day is like no other. Uncertainty, nerves and excitment all mixed into one. It was great. Our turnout for the first two days has been strong, though football is still going on so we are missing a few players, but the feeling after two days is definitely positive.

The same thing can not be said for my struggling Boston Celtics. Sitting at 0-3 and hosting the Charlotte Bobcats tonight the Celtics are DESPERATE for a win. (And I am desperate to lock the new dance team out of the building!!!) This team is no doubt young and has some new faces but how long is that going to be an excuse that is acceptable. Coach Doc Rivers needs to right this ship fast or else Danny Ainge needs to really think long and hard about taking the reigns or finding a coach better suited to lead this team back towards respectability. Players of course must be held accountable but I am seeing more than just a lack of execution on their part right now. Saturday night in Washington the Green played close to ZERO defense as they fell 124-117.

I always get extra amped when the NBA season starts again not only with the hope the Celtics will improve but now with young stars LeBron, D-Wade, Melo, D Howard, and Chris Paul teamed with Duncan, KG, AI, Pierce, Elton Brand, Nash, Dirk, Kobe and many others, the league is in good hands and definitely back on the right track after a very good regular and post season last year.

Nothing like the NBA package to get you hooked early. I watched the Golden State Warriors two nights in a row, first winning in Dallas by three, then dropping a tough one last night in Oklahoma City to the now 4-0 Hornets. Can't get enough of the new upstart teams coming out of the gate strong. Will teams like the Hornets maintain their level? Time will tell, it is a long season.

Lets get a win for Red tonight.

Like my boy Paz does on his blog, some shout outs for some special people:
Mom and Dad, 15J Deluxe, Lunar and the News Team, Coach Bluth, The Don, Coach Onions, Todd and Cara, Ross, Jared, My China Crew and Manhattan's newest movie maven, PR.