Prologue

Back by popular demand...

You guys may or may not remember January 16th, but it was the beginning of the end for the Boston sports scene.  It's amazing to think back to that day.  The Pats were only hours away from destroying the Jets at home and steamrolling their way to a 4th title in 10 years.  The Bruins were at the top of their division with a 25-13-7 record and the night before they had beaten Carolina 7-0 with Thomas getting the shutout.  The Celtics were at the top of the conference with a 30-9 record (a 3 game lead on the Heat with Chicago nowhere in sight) and two nights earlier the immortal Shaq had 23 points and the catalyst Rajon Rondo had 18 and 13.  Lastly, the Red Sox were still weeks away for spring training and discussions had started about them winning 100 games and John Lackey possibly eating a hot dog and drinking a beer per inning in each of his starts just to make things fair.  The Boston fans couldn't have been happier.  There was talk about all 4 teams winning championships THIS YEAR.  Ooohhhh, how the times have changed.  Aas we all know, the Pats were physically dominated at home and the Jets once again advanced to the AFC Championship game.  The Bruins (the lone bright spot right now) had their ups and downs, but are poised to at least make a run at the Eastern Ffinals.  Then we get to the Celtics, who last night where soundly defeated by the Bulls and are in a tie with the Heat for 2nd place in the conference.  I'd say that they have no chance of beating that Bulls team in a 7 game series.  Last night they were outplayed and I'd say outclassed.  Boston looked like an average team that hopefully can make it a competitive series in the 2nd round.  Lastly, the mighty Red Sox who have been pathetic thus far.  I would argue that this weekend is the season.  I might be overreacting, but if they are 1-8 or 0-9 after this weekend, they are cooked. A fantasy team with Red Sox uniforms on.  All the optimism that was here only 3 months ago has vanished, but at least we have the Masters to watch this weekend and the NFL season to look forward too, oh wait...