Sports Then and Now

Eastern Conference:

Eastern Division

Boston Celtics 62-20 (2)

If the Celts win more than 65, I start to get nervous. I’d almost rather 55. They will deal with an above average number of injuries, but the injuries are minor. The key word is management.

Toronto Raptors 46-36 (4)

Can Turkoglu do for Bosh what he did for Howard? I think this team gels, Calderon takes the next step, Turkoglu continues to be a killer in the pick and roll, and Bosh has his best year. This team will be a tough out.

Philadelphia 76ers 39-43 (8)

If Elton Brand stays healthy, the Sixers can sneak back into the playoffs…where they get swept by the LeBrons.

New York Knicks 32-50 (12)

They are a team of scrubs and role players. But they play D’Antoni ball so that makes them better than the Nets.

New Jersey Nets 21-61 (15)

Two words: Yi Jianlian. Watch out for the Russian mob.

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Dick Bavetta, who will be 70-years-old this year, has been making questionable decisions for years.

The NBA has locked out its Officials for the first time since 1995. The league is expected to employ D-League and WNBA refs for the start of the season.

The NBA Official, a recent victim of great controversy and contempt, has been a position marred by game fixing and player favoring. It seems every spring we question the decisions made by the officials and close fan observation provided by detailed taping of each game has made the leagues referees more mortal and subject to blatant mistakes.

In a sport that moves as fast as men’s basketball, it’s easy to understand how referees can make mistakes and miss calls. Slow motion instant replay has made bad call and missed calls more obvious and more subject to public scrutiny.

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