First it was Randy Moss, then Kevin Garnett, and now Eric Gagne. Boston teams are loading up on talent, and in my memory, its the first time that all three relevant teams are looking to be contenders.
The Pats
Even during the three Superbowl years, the Pats didn't look this dominant. With Randy Moss, Troy Brown, and Dante Stallworth (plus others), Tom Brady finally has the WRs he deserves. With a much healthier lineup, the Pats look like a super team this season and may finally shed the role of underdog (Ha!).
The Sox
Their giant lead slipping away as the Yanks are finally playing like they should be, the still pretty dominant Sox get Eric Gagne for Kason Gabbard (had some quality starts) and David Murphy (CF prospect we don't quite need. See: Jacoby Ellsbury). I guess the lingering question is, how good is Eric Gagne today? Aside from a low K count, Gagne's numbers are not much worse than those of Jonathan Papelbon; not too shabby. Instead of two dominant closer type pitchers, the Sox now have three. A huge difference from last year's one. Comparing last season's entire pitching staff to this season's, the front office has done a tremendous job in creating both more than solid starting pitching, and a dominant bullpen. Despite a couple minor speed bumps, it is amazing how the offense and defense just came together this season.
The Cs
The biggest story of the three. Just as it looked every Celtic fan was about to slit their wrists over the Ray Allen acquisition, the Cs somehow are able to get KG while giving up Al Jefferson. KG and Pierce alone would have already been a dominant force. I hesitate to say that Ray Allen is complimenting them because he himself is fully capable of carrying a bad team. Suddenly, the Jordanesque Flymaster is looking to shine even brighter, no longer having to be the only good player on the team. Its a 270 degree turn for the Cs. It was all about putting right minded players with the same maturity level together. They still need to build a solid supporting cast, but what a change! Long gone are the days when Pierce and Antoine Walker are expected to lead this team into the playoffs.
The Pats
Even during the three Superbowl years, the Pats didn't look this dominant. With Randy Moss, Troy Brown, and Dante Stallworth (plus others), Tom Brady finally has the WRs he deserves. With a much healthier lineup, the Pats look like a super team this season and may finally shed the role of underdog (Ha!).
The Sox
Their giant lead slipping away as the Yanks are finally playing like they should be, the still pretty dominant Sox get Eric Gagne for Kason Gabbard (had some quality starts) and David Murphy (CF prospect we don't quite need. See: Jacoby Ellsbury). I guess the lingering question is, how good is Eric Gagne today? Aside from a low K count, Gagne's numbers are not much worse than those of Jonathan Papelbon; not too shabby. Instead of two dominant closer type pitchers, the Sox now have three. A huge difference from last year's one. Comparing last season's entire pitching staff to this season's, the front office has done a tremendous job in creating both more than solid starting pitching, and a dominant bullpen. Despite a couple minor speed bumps, it is amazing how the offense and defense just came together this season.
The Cs
The biggest story of the three. Just as it looked every Celtic fan was about to slit their wrists over the Ray Allen acquisition, the Cs somehow are able to get KG while giving up Al Jefferson. KG and Pierce alone would have already been a dominant force. I hesitate to say that Ray Allen is complimenting them because he himself is fully capable of carrying a bad team. Suddenly, the Jordanesque Flymaster is looking to shine even brighter, no longer having to be the only good player on the team. Its a 270 degree turn for the Cs. It was all about putting right minded players with the same maturity level together. They still need to build a solid supporting cast, but what a change! Long gone are the days when Pierce and Antoine Walker are expected to lead this team into the playoffs.
2 comments:
Yes, I know I left out the Bruins.
Unfortunately, hockey just isn't relevant anymore. Will it come back? Really hard to say.
Re: Garnett
As much as I love Shaun Marion, I would've loved to see Garnett at Phoenix with Marion as the trade piece. But it's not to be and Garnett is at least in the East. Back to relying on Phoenix's big men who can give some fouls and that's it.
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