Celtics Rock The Garden Beat On Wizards 103-83

It was like a trip back in time, back when NBA players wore those terrible short shorts that looked like swimming trunks (See I admit some things are better in 2007!) Back when the two dominant teams in the NBA resided on opposite coasts one in Los Angeles and one in Boston. And although it was only one game and the NBA season opener at that Friday night the “Boston Mystique” had returned.

Looking as dominant as any incarnation of the Celtics since 1992, the year Larry Legend retired, the Celtics thrilled the home town crowd blowing out their guests the Washington Wizards by 20 points 103-83. The night had a nostalgic edge to it even before the game began as they dedicated the parquet floor to the man who embodied “Celtic Pride” the late great Red Auerbach. The floor is now officially known as the “Red Auerbach Parquet Floor” a fitting tribute to the man more associated with the franchise than any player.

This must have been a particularly tough game for Washington Wizards fans to sit through. First you had the two most irritating broadcasters on the ESPN telecast that are in Sports broadcasting in the present era. Of Course you had “self proclaimed genius” Stephen A. Smith who must wake up in the morning with a sneer on his face. Then you had the man who is quickly risen to Number Two with a bullet in the ranks of the obnoxious Jeff VanGundy. VanGundy was never at the top of my hit parade to interview when he was a coach, and I am less fond of him as an analyst. VanGundy apparently has quickly fallen in love with the sound of his voice, and doesn’t let little things like facts get in the way of speaking. (Jeff, here’s a helpful tip from someone who has a history of being on T.V. It kind of helps when you know what you are talking about! Saying to your broadcast partner that the “Patriots at one time led that game Sunday 52-0″ when you are broadcasting a game between Washington and Boston is moronic! The fans know that they led Washington 45-7 before they scored that last touchdown! You are not in your living room, get your facts straight!)

As for the game itself the Wizards kept it close the first quarter trailing 21-18, but were out of it by the half as Boston led 58-36. There were heroes galore for the Celtics, as four of the five starters were in double figures. Paul Pierce was the game’s high scorer with 28, while Kevin Garnett had an outrageous night scoring 22 points grabbing 20 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocked shots! Ray Allen added 17 while point guard Rajon Rando had 15 points and 4 steals.

Gilbert Arenas who had guaranteed Washington would win in Boston, had a good night 21 points 5 rebounds and 3 assists, as he led five Wizards players in double figures, but it was not near enough. Washington falls to 0-2 with the loss while Boston starts the season at 1-0.