The NBA salary cap stinks.
This will sound provincial because it’s the Celtics who are victimized by the league’s complicated system of taxes, aprons, exceptions and repeaters.
But it stinks. A lot.
The Celtics are being penalized for smart drafts and crafty trades and the fact that their players earned their way into bigger contracts.
Jrue Holiday still wanted to be a Celtic. Kristaps Porzingis wanted to stay in Boston. Luke Kornet is gone too and Al Horford is likely to follow. Without the ponderous severe repeater penalties, the Celtics would rather have all of them instead of Anfernee Simons, Georges Niang and the collection of second-round picks that they got in return.
Second-round picks have all the value of Applebee’s gift cards, worth something, but wholly unsatisfying.
It’s all in the name of managing owners’ costs and pursuing parity.
Parity stinks.
Professional sports leagues worship at the altar of making everyone feel like a contender while ignoring the fact that their fortunes are built on the allure of dynasties and sustained greatness.
Especially in the NBA.
Boston and L.A. in the 80s. The Pistons and Bulls in the 90s. Kobe’s Lakers. LeBron’s Heat. Steph’s Warriors. These are the teams who sell jerseys and tickets. Those are the squads who get people to turn on their TVs to watch out-of-market games. It’s good for the league when the Celtics are good. Like them or hate them, people want to watch them.
Imagine if Red Auerbach had to deal Robert Parish or the Lakers were forced to dump James Worthy because of second apron concerns. Pushing everyone toward the middle stinks.
Boston fans have spent the last few weeks lauding Brad Stevens for how well he did making trades that will clearly make the Celtics worse in the short term. And he should be. He’s doing a good job navigating the current system, which... stinks.
In a league where franchises are worth billions and have global appeal, there has to be a better way.
The most predictable things ever
Was there anything more obvious than the fact that somebody was going to take advantage of microbetting to create an illegal scam.
Far be it from me to tell somebody how to lose their money. But if a calf strain is a precursor to a torn Achilles, microbetting today probably means somebody should be calling one of the problem gambling phone numbers tomorrow.
That aside, it’s a wide-open door to cheating. Players can bet whether the next pitch is going to be a ball or a strike.
Scenario: Before the game a pitcher tells his buddy that the first pitch of the second inning is going to be a ball. His buddy micro-bets as the inning is about to start.
The pitcher then proceeds to throw his curveball into the dirt or overthrows his fastball high. Maybe the batter swings, but on the first pitch of a plate appearance, it’s far more likely the batter takes. It’s more obvious than some to the batter, but not so to an onlooker. The pitcher convinces himself that it’s one ball and not something that will alter the game’s outcome.
That’s basically what happened with Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz, who has been suspended pending an investigation.
It’s impressive that he got caught, but it’s impossible not to wonder how many similar situations happened and weren’t flagged?
Safest bet? Somebody will try this again.
Happy Fourth
Red, White, Blue
Red Auerbach, Derrick White, Vida BlueThe Associated Press
Real Jeopardy! Clue
Sports clues from actual editions of America’s favorite quiz show. As always, mind the date
CATEGORY: FIRST EPISODES - $200 : Oct. 5, 2022
Asked if he believes in ghosts, this soccer coach says, “I do. But more importantly, I think they need to believe in themselves”
— Answer below
The Top 5
Top 5 ... 10 Boston Athletes whose names sound best with thick Boston Accents
This was going to be five, but there were too many that were wicked good.
This is dedicated to the memories of Tommy Heinsohn andJerry Remy, who made the accent lovable.
10 — Kemba Walker
9- Parker Wotherspoon
8—Mark Clear
7 — Kevin Millar, Bill Mueller, Kevan Miller, Rick Miller
6 — Xander Bogaerts
5 - Brad Park and M.L. Carr - Somebody should have done a commercial with them sitting together at Mr. Bartley’s.
4 - Walker Buehler
3 - Walter McCarty
2 - Marcus Smart
1 - Nomar Garciaparra
Honorable mentions: Rogah, Gahnett, Harry Hoopah, Tris Speakah, Shahman, Dit Clappah, Crowdah, Welkah, Fry-yah, Hightowah, Bahmo-ah, Gilmo-ah, Loy-Ya, Duggah, Gahces, Mahchand, Cahbo, Cahlt’n Fisk, Ber-ja-ron, Mahcelo Mayah
Today in Boston Sports History
July 4
2012 — David Ortiz hit his 400th career home run off Oakland’s A.J. Griffin.
Lightning round
It’s absurd that there isn’t a Major League closer using “All My Life” by the Foo Fighters as their entrance music.
Roman Anthony needs a fun nickname.
Part of the reason people think James Hagens underachieved in Hockey East last year was because he’s following Macklin Celebrini. For what it’s worth, Cale Makar was way better in his sophomore year than his freshman one.
The outpouring of love for Red Panda after her wrist injury makes me think that the Hall of Fame should consider inducting her as a contributor. Christopher, the one man Village People, would also have my vote. Don’t know him?Watch the video here.
Real Jeopardy! Question:
Ted Lasso.
Finally...
If you need me, I’ll be reading “Say Nothing” by Patrick Radden Keefe.
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