Hello all,

I have been gone for a while, my apologies. Between Thanksgiving, both Basketball teams, Fastbreak kids, two creative projects and the rollercoaster which is the Celtics I have not had much time to write lately. I also had the flu for a week which was a ton of fun. But when there is a will there is a way. (And of course Larry Legend's 50th Birthday was December 7th, had to celebrate with lots of highlights on NBA TV)

Our Varsity has opened the season with a 3-2 record as we have been very up and down. After a thrilling 4th quarter on the road in our opener, which was a victory at Friends Seminary we have yet to consistently hit our stride. We split two games in the Scarsdale tourney falling to a very talented Ossining team and then defeating Clarkstown North. Then last Friday night we had our home opener in a packed gym against Trinity. After a slow first half where we trailed by as many as 14, and 8 at the half, we fell behind by 12 in the third quarter before we began to show glimpses of how strong we could be this season. Some strong defense got us running and the tempo of the game turned in our favor as we faught back and tied the game. The game eventually went to overtime and thanks to some clutch shots, big rebounds and energy from our crowd we hung on to win by 4 points. It was quite a scene at the end with the fans and players tasting this excitement in December. What is so crazy about coaching at this level is how quickly your team can win a game like that and then come out in your next game against a rival and not play well, and that is exactly what happened against Collegiate on Monday. Due to scheduling I was coaching my JV team at the same time as the Varsity, and we ran into the same problem. We did not play nearly well enough to win and yet we lost by 4 points. Kids are so erratic sometimes, my job is to get them to the point where they can not help but be consistent. When we are there I will let you know, as tonight we lost again at the Greenwich Country Day School by 9 points, this is going to be an uphill climb. Only thing to do is to get back to work at practice tomorrow.

Turning to a team I have no effect on but yet they are just as inconsistent as mine at times are the Boston Celtics. Tonight's 20 point victory in Philly over the ANSWERLESS 76ers is their 3rd straight, after Pierce's buzzer beater last Saturday in New Jersey and Monday's win at MSG which saw the green build a 30 point lead and then barely hang on to win. At this point as a fan you gotta take the wins anyway they come but if I am at the game does the second half have to be that gut wrenching? I was freaking out for a few minutes thinking that they were really going to give this one back to the Knicks. Speaking of the Knicks they finally kicked someone's ass tonight at home as they beat the Hawks. I love hating the Knicks.

But the real news remains all of the Allen Iverson trade talk. Will he go out West? Will KG get his wish? Will Danny Ainge offer enough to get him in green running and gunning with Paul Pierce? I am remaining optimistic but what price is reasonable for The Answer at this point since Philly must deal him? I am checking all the sites every 10 minutes for news, I really want him to go to Boston badly. This team needs to get back on the basketball map again, and putting Iverson with Pierce and Co. will do that. It also may help Doc Rivers enter mediocrity as a coach. Doc has been taking alot of heat, but at 8-13, with a bunch of close games squandered it is unavoidable right now. Danny Ainge listen closely, The East is wide open, GO GET ALLEN IVERSON, just don't trade Jefferson or Green. I know very easy for me to say.

Time to get some rest.

Lots of special shout outs to: Mom and Dad, Todd, #21, PR, Team Fastbreak, Lunar Sports Group, Doc Hagen, The Wolf, 15J deluxe (Happy Birthday Jessica), BD in the City, The Jab, Rebecca, and Brendan. Thanks for all of your support.