Recap Poetry: Celtics 103, Cavaliers 100 (13-17)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... a haiku.

#FlashbackFriday: The Truth Goes for 50

At the end of each week, MercerJersey.com observes the venerable tradition of #FlashbackFriday.  With the Celts set to break their 5-day holiday hiatus against the Cavs at the Garden tomorrow afternoon, today's edition looks back almost eight years to an epic duel in the same building between Paul Anthony Pierce and LeBron Raymone James.

After the jump, enjoy 10+ minutes of the Captain at the peak of his powers, posting his (still) career high...

Recap Poetry: Pacers 106, Celtics 79 (12-17)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... an unsubtle homage.

Recap Poetry: Wizards 106, Celtics 99 (12-16)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... a haiku.

#FlashbackFriday: A Very Paul Pierce Christmas

At the end of each week, MercerJersey.com observes the venerable tradition of #FlashbackFriday.  With December 25 just around the corner, today's edition looks back at a trio of Paul Pierce-related Yuletide YouTube clips...

Recap Poetry: Pistons 107, Celtics 106 (12-15)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... a haiku.

Recap Poetry: Celtics 101, Timberwolves 97 (12-14)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... a haiku.

Recap Poetry: Celtics 90, Knicks 86 (11-14)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... an unsubtle homage.

Celtics Top Ten: Reasons We'll Still and Always Talk about Dana Bruce Barros

BUY DAVE'S HAT!  $26.99 on Amazon (4 available).

One week ago tonight, Hawks swingman Kyle Korver hit a 3-pointer for the 90th game in a row, setting a new league record.  In response, NBA TV's The Starters aired a slow-motion highlight reel of the previous record holder, complete with somber musical accompaniment.

"This will be the last we ever hear the name of Dana Barros," host J.E. Skeets declared in introducing the clip.

And after: "Goodbye, sweet prince."

WELL, J.E., here at MercerJersey.com, I'm not ready to say goodbye to Mr. Barros – and I bet I'm not alone, especially among Celtics fans.  And so, today's edition of Celtics Top Ten is: "The Top 10 Reasons We'll Still and Always Talk about Dana Bruce Barros."

Recap Poetry: Clippers 96, Celtics 88 (10-14)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... free verse.

Recap Poetry: Nets 104, Celtics 96 (10-13)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... an acrostic.

Celtics Top Ten: Songs for 'Reunion Week'

BUY DAVE'S HAT!  $6.52 on Amazon.

With the Celtics set to square off against the Nets in Brooklyn tonight and the Clippers back at the Garden tomorrow, the much-hyped "Reunion Week" portion of our schedule is upon us.

Since music can help steady us through some of life's emotional turbulence – and since the next 48 hours are sure to be emotion-filled for Celtics fans everywhere – today's edition of Celtics Top Ten is: "The Top 10 Songs for 'Reunion Week.'"

Recap Poetry: Celtics 114, Knicks 73 (10-12)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... an epitaph.

Recap Poetry: Celtics 106, Nuggets 98 (9-12)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... a haiku.

Recap Poetry: Celtics 108, Bucks 100 (8-12)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... a kyrielle.

Recap Poetry: Bucks 92, Celtics 85 (7-12)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... the lowest form of humor.

Recap Poetry: Celtics 103, Cavaliers 86 (7-11)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... an acrostic.

#FlashbackFriday: For Red, every day was Black Friday

At the end of each week, MercerJersey.com observes the venerable tradition of #FlashbackFriday.  With Black Friday "steals" being offered at retailers around the country, today's edition looks back at the biggest "steal" in Celtics history: the 1980 trade that brought Kevin McHale and Robert Parish to Boston...

Recap Poetry: Grizzlies 100, Celtics 93 (6-11)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... seasonal fare.

Recap Poetry: Celtics 96, Bobcats 86 (6-10)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... an unsubtle homage.

Recap Poetry: Celtics 94, Hawks 87 (5-10)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... a haiku.

Recap Poetry: Pacers 97, Celtics 82 (4-10)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... a haiku.

#FlashbackFriday: Mr. Auerbach Goes to Washington

At the end of each week, MercerJersey.com observes the venerable tradition of #FlashbackFriday.  Today's edition comes via the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, on the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy's assassination: vintage photographs of the 1963 Celtics visiting with JFK at the White House.  Notably, Bill Russell is absent (a political statement? my cursory research was inconclusive) and a young Tom Heinsohn appears as affable as ever...

Recap Poetry: Spurs 104, Celtics 93 (4-9)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... a haiku.

Recap Poetry: Rockets 109, Celtics 85 (4-8)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... plagiarism.

Recap Poetry: Timberwolves 106, Celtics 88 (4-7)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... an allusion.

Recap Poetry: Trail Blazers 109, Celtics 96 (4-6)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... an unsubtle homage.

#FlashbackFriday: Five Great Minutes with Bill Walton

At the end of each week, MercerJersey.com observes the venerable tradition of #FlashbackFriday.  With the Celts set to take on the Blazers tonight at the Garden, today's edition looks back at the career of the man who stands as the (very tall) link between Boston and Rip City hoops, Mr. William Theodore Walton III – a 40-year journey condensed into a five-minute appreciation-via-YouTube.

Recap Poetry: Bobcats 89, Celtics 83 (4-5)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... a monorhyme.

Recap Poetry: Celtics 120, Magic 105 (4-4)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... a limerick.

Celtics Top Ten: Ways the Celtics can Legitimately Contend This Season

BUY DAVE'S HAT!  $23.95 on Amazon (5 available).

A three-game win streak culminating in a thrilling victory over the Heat has Celtics fans buzzing.  Chatter about "tanking" for Andrew Wiggins or Julius Randle has quickly given way to playoff talk.

But why stop at the playoffs???  Last I checked, we're the Boston Celtics and IT'S ALL ABOUT 18.

And so, today's edition of Celtics Top Ten is: "The Top 10 Ways the Celtics can Legitimately Contend This Season."

Recap Poetry: Celtics 111, Heat 110 (3-4)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... an unsubtle homage.

Recap Poetry: Celtics 91, Magic 89 (2-4)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... a haiku.

#FlashbackFriday: Rajon Rondo, Clutch Free Throw Specialist

At the end of each week, MercerJersey.com observes the venerable tradition of #FlashbackFriday.  Today we look back to 2006-2007, a.k.a. the last season during which the Celtics were unquestionably "reloading" rebuilding.  On March 26, then-rookie Rajon Rondo helped guide us to a win over the T.J. Ford-led Raptors at the Garden, making the C's the last team in the league to clinch a 10th home-court victory that year (ESPN recap/box score).

Recap Poetry: Celtics 97, Jazz 87 (1-4)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... free verse.

An open letter to Danny Ainge.

Dear Danny,

One week ago tonight, the Red Sox clinched the 2013 World Series.  Almost immediately, this "ANOTHER BANNER YEAR" graphic took Boston social media by storm.

Notice how the middle section is almost all green?  It's a nice little reminder of why the pro sports franchises most synonymous with excellence (on this continent, anyways) were, for years: the Montreal Canadiens (blech), the New York Yankees (double blech), and our Boston Celtics.

For three solid decades, we were the bee's knees.

The last two decades, however, have been slightly less impressive.

When Celts fans lambasted Doc Rivers back in September for calling the Lakers "the best franchise in sports history," they largely neglected to note that our West Coast rivals, while still one title behind the C's in an all-time tally, have collected seven rings to our one since 1987.  Like it or not, our reign as the unquestioned Best in Basketball has gradually come to a close.

Now – if it hasn't happened already – our long reign as Best in Boston could, as well.

Recap Poetry: Grizzlies 95, Celtics 88 (0-4)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... an acrostic.

Recap Poetry: Pistons 87, Celtics 77 (0-3)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... an unsubtle homage.

Celtics Top Ten: Things the Celtics Did with their Extra Hour

BUY DAVE'S HAT!  $23.95 on Amazon (16 available).

Last night, thanks to Daylight Saving Time, we all gained an extra hour.  Today's edition of Celtics Top Ten is: "Things the Celtics Did with their Extra Hour."

Recap Poetry: Bucks 105, Celtics 98 (0-2)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... a diamante.

The Coolest Bill Russell Quote You've Never Heard

William Felton Russell finally has his statue and there's a lot to say about the man (as there probably is about most people we see fit to immortalize in bronze).

An NBA.com feature story posted today offers some great insight into Russell's superlative character and spirit – into the great variety of words and deeds that have made him so special, both on and off the basketball court.  It's well worth a read.  As Celtics fans know, however, his most enduring legacy on the court is as a Winner, with a capital "W."

You know his résumé.  You know about the back-to-back NCAA titles at the University of San Francisco; the gold medal at the '56 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia; and, of course, that stunning run of 11 NBA championships over 13 seasons between '57 and '69.  You know, too, the well-tread story that Russell was so competitive and so emotional that he nearly always vomited before games, and that Red Auerbach became more unsettled when he didn't vomit than when he did.

Bill Russell made Kevin Garnett seem low-key.

What you may not know is that Bill Russell also had a gentler side – the soul of a poet.  Which brings us to the Coolest Bill Russell Quote You've Never Heard.

Recap Poetry: Raptors 93, Celtics 87 (0-1)

After each Celtics game, MercerJersey.com captures what transpired via the art of rhythmical literary composition in "Recap Poetry."

Today's poetry recap is... a haiku.

Celtics Top Ten: Reasons to Watch the Season Opener

BUY DAVE'S HAT!  $27.95 on eBay (3 available).

Tonight, with the Red Sox looking to clinch their first World Series Cup at Fenway Park since 1918, you might be wondering how many folks will actually bother to watch the Celtics' 2013-2014 season opener.

Accordingly, the category for MercerJersey.com's first edition of Celtics Top Ten is: "The Top 10 Reasons to Watch the Celtics' 2013-2014 Season Opener."

Yes, baseball – but also The Homecoming!

Boston's attention will be firmly fixed on the Fens tonight as the Sox try to move one step closer to bringing home the World Series Cup.  Just because Paul and KG will be sitting out of the action a few miles northeast, however, doesn't mean that the Garden won't still be host to a special homecoming that's worth noticing, too.

Wait for it...

That's right.  JET!!!!

(OOOOO-OOOOooooo OOOOO-OOOOooooo OOOOO-OOOOooooo!)

No, his no. 4 isn't destined for the rafters like nos. 34 or 5 but his return to Causeway Street might be a good time to re-evaluate Jason Terry's mostly disappointing run in green & white... To appreciate him for what he was: a (grit-and)balls-to-the-wall committed Celtic (see: THE LEPRECHAUN BICEP TATTOO) and an all-around fun dude who, if nothing else, gave us one memorable playoff burst to remind us all why we'd once hailed him as a suitable replacement for Ray Allen.

YouTube clips to further jog your memory after the jump...

Gerald Wallace loves that dirty water.

Gerald Wallace wants you to know that he's happy to be in Boston.

In his first public appearance as a Celtic yesterday in Waltham, Mr. Wallace made it clear that his being incommunicado with the C's all summer wasn't meant as a slight.  He loves Boston!  He's a big Red Sox and Patriots fan!  He even has a BoSox and Pats-themed room in his house!

And just what kind of decor does Crash have in said room?

"Basically shoes, material things," he explained. "I have a couple of Brady jerseys, a couple of pictures of Brady, Belichick, the championship teams... a couple of Super Bowl pictures... I have a lot of Red Sox World Series [memorabilia]... I have an autographed bat from Ortiz."

Wow!  Didn't see that coming, did you??

This begs the question: What else is there to learn about Gerald's relationship with our fair city?

This just in: Rajon Rondo is a troll.

Examples after the jump...

#FlashbackFriday: Would-Be SI for Kids Masterpieces

I drew a lot of artwork back in the day with the idea of getting it published in the "Art Gallery" section of Sports Illustrated for Kids.  But I only finished some of it and, more notably, submitted none of it.

Why?  Because no one wants to stuff their masterpieces in an envelope and toss them in a mailbox, potentially never to be seen again.  And (of course) because I knew, if I stashed them away for a few decades instead, they'd eventually make a grade-A #FlashbackFriday blog post.

Good call, young self.  Good call.

Fun with Pop Culture: It's August, bitch!

Introducing...

Why?

Because Breaking Bad is awesome – and returning this Sunday to AMC...  Because we're in the dog days of the offseason and there's just not that much to discuss...  Because CSI: Miami and CSI: NY are no more...  Because I enjoy half-baked ideas that are fun but don't totally make sense...

Because it's August, bitch!!!!

The End of The World: One Fan's Story

I'm in New York for this.  On Long Island.  Just under an hour east of the Barclays Center in the sleepy hamlet of Bellmore, at my girlfriend's family's house, visiting for a long weekend.

The girlfriend is keeping the TV on E! until 12:00 on the dot, watching a Keeping Up with the Kardashians re-run.  Yes – one featuring Kris Humphries (gut punch no. 1).  When the time comes, we'll switch over to YES, since I'll be watching this unfold on the official network of the New York Yankees (gut punch no. 2).  The suspense builds with each minute as we approach high noon.

11:56... 11:57... 11:58... 11:59...

And we're in.

CON to the SPIRACY.

"Everyone knows the NBA is in the pocket of Big Corn." tweets @steventurous.

"SMALL MARKET BIAS" tweets @TreyAdell.

The jokes are coming fast and furious like Vin Diesel and the Rock after the Pacers' 99-92 win over the Miami Heat came with the help of a few dubious late-game calls in their favor.

Yuck it up all you want, ladies & gents.  Just know that you're whistling past the graveyard.

This is all part of David Stern's biggest scam yet.

Vengeance like Inigo Montoya.

Ready for some simple math?

NEW PLAN (in 9 Easy Steps)

9 for 9.

This has been a crazy day for Celtics Nation.  But don't worry -- I've got a plan.

And it's already underway.