Celtics (36-12) vs. Washington (20-27) January 25, 1980 Boston Garden The Celtics are always connected with history. In addition to drafting the first African American player (Chuck Cooper), employing the first African American starting five, and hiring the first African American head coach, the Celtics are in many ways to the sport of professional basketball … Continue reading Bird’s Rookie Year — Game 49 vs. the Bullets
Sports Media Musings: The Mailbag, Chapter I
Welcome to the Sports Media Mailbag! Here are comments and emails from you, the readers, and (mostly) made up emails from your favorite sports media personalities. To contribute to the mailbag, either shoot me an email at Hadfield.Ryan@gmail.com, hit me up on Twitter, or leave a response in the comments section of any one of … Continue reading Sports Media Musings: The Mailbag, Chapter I
Closing the book on Patriots season
Even three days after the Patriots fell to the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game much of the talk in the Boston sports media remains the Patriots and their loss on Sunday. Every play and situation has been discussed, as well as finding common links in the Patriots recent playoff losses. Clearly, both Bill Belichick … Continue reading Closing the book on Patriots season
Bird’s Rookie Year — Game 48 vs. the Pistons
Celtics (35-12) vs. Pistons (13-36) January 23, 1980 Pontiac Silverdome The Celtics hammered the Pistons with 77 second half points and walked all over Detroit for a 131-104 victory. For the first time all season, Bill Fitch changed his starting five. Dave Cowens, forced to miss the game after injuring his left foot in the … Continue reading Bird’s Rookie Year — Game 48 vs. the Pistons
The Obstructed View: Why People Root For Ray Lewis
In addition to my media notes, I’ll be swinging by Wednesday afternoons to write a weekly column dealing with How We Think About Sports (or something), entitled “The Obstructed View.” Think of it as an unfortunate tariff to my other work here. Feel free to yell at me on Twitter about it (@Hadfield__) or email … Continue reading The Obstructed View: Why People Root For Ray Lewis
Bird’s Rookie Year — Game 47 vs. the Rockets
Celtics (34-12) vs. Rockets (23-24) January 22, 1980 Boston Garden In an up-and-down night for Boston, the Celtics received a breakout defensive performance from M.L. Carr in a 112-106 victory over the Houston Rockets. The Rockets, winners of six of their previous eight games, trailed 77-55 until Rick Barry went on a scoring binge. Barry … Continue reading Bird’s Rookie Year — Game 47 vs. the Rockets
Belichick not in the wrong following Sunday’s loss
It almost seems like more has been made of what took place off the field following the AFC Championship game Sunday rather than what happened on the field during the game. Much has been made of Bill Belichick denying an interview to CBS following the game, and instead the Patriots having Devin McCourty speak to … Continue reading Belichick not in the wrong following Sunday’s loss
Sports Media Musings: Playing the Patriots Blame Game & Media Notes From Championship Sunday
None of the subsequent text you’re about to read matters; just as none of the endless hours of conversation breaking down the Patriots 28-13 defeat at the hands of the Ravens matters. You want storylines? There are plenty. You want culprits? There are plenty. But remember – and I can’t stress this enough – none … Continue reading Sports Media Musings: Playing the Patriots Blame Game & Media Notes From Championship Sunday
Bird’s Rookie Year — Game 46 vs. the SuperSonics
Celtics (34-11) vs. SuperSonics (35-13) January 20, 1980 Boston Garden The Celtics again showed they were not quite ready for showtime, dropping another game to a top-tier NBA team. In a double overtime battle, Seattle -- the defending champion as well as favorite to win the championship -- used their experience to defeat the Celtics, … Continue reading Bird’s Rookie Year — Game 46 vs. the SuperSonics
Bird’s Rookie Year — Game 45 vs. the TrailBlazers
Celtics (33-11) vs. TrailBlazers (24-25) January 18, 1980 Boston Garden The Portland TrailBlazers made their lone visit to Boston on January 18. The proud franchise, still struggling to find an identity after their lone championship in 1977, was moving on from the Bill Walton Era after he departed to the San Diego Clippers as a free agent … Continue reading Bird’s Rookie Year — Game 45 vs. the TrailBlazers