US – Thursday, March 18
The Word
Bullock gets ‘Blind Side’d by alleged affair
It seemed too crazy to be true — America’s sweetheart Sandra Bullock fell for Jesse James, a heavily tattooed former bodyguard for Slayer turned custom motorcycle maker who was once married to a porn star.
 
Sports
No. 12 seeds always early upset threats
The notion that No. 12 seeds consistently beat No. 5 seeds isn’t a mere theory perpetuated by an upset-hungry public. The oddsmakers are aware of the history as well.
 
New York
New York City a toxic playground
The 1.8-mile Gowanus Canal’s legacy of noxious pollutants from the manufactured gas plants, oil refineries, tanneries and other industries was acknowledged with a federal Superfund designation this month, but it’s just one of many toxic sites across the city, large and small.
 
My Travel
The key to Kyoto
Kyoto’s temples and Geisha culture are legendary, but this city is no slouch when it comes to mixing in a large slice of contemporary, too.
 
Boston Sports
Cooke-ing up a B’s grudge match
When the Bruins and Penguins face off tonight at the Garden, it will be more than a chance for the Bruins to hang on to the final playoff spot in the East.
 
New York
City blocks this week: Mott Street between Spring and Prince streets
On one of Manhattan’s trendiest blocks, a quaint Catholic school is set to close its doors forever this summer.
 
Boston Sports
Dice-K on road to return?
The groin. The shoulder. The back. The neck.
 
Published 21:01, March the 13th, 2008
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A playoff primer for Celtics fans

Boston fans are used to seeing the Sox and Patriots in the playoffs. We know what to expect and look forward to. Not so with the Celtics. In the last 12 years, the Celtics have qualified for the postseason just four times. This year’s team has already clinched a playoff spot with the best record in the league heading into Thursday night’s action. So, it seems like a good time to take a refresher course on what to expect next.

First of all, there are some recent rule changes you should be aware of. Now, the top four teams are the three division winners and the second-place finisher with the best record. Home court goes to the team with the better record — regardless of division. So, it is possible that a No. 5 seed could have an advantage over the No. 4 seed. One of the goals of these rule changes was to make sure the top two teams in each conference had a chance to meet no sooner than the conference finals. That means the Celtics could be facing Detroit for the right to go to the Finals.

Another thing to watch for in the postseason is how quickly rivalries begin. Over the course of seven very physical, very intense games, the teams have every opportunity to get on each others’ nerves. The players are right up in each others faces, with a lot at stake. Tempers can get heated. Will the Celtics-Pistons rivalry be renewed after all these years?

The postseason is also a place where reputations are made, good or bad. Dwyane Wade took his game to a whole new level in 2006 when he led Miami to the title. Dallas is still trying to live down the reputation that comes from being a No. 1 seed that gets knocked out in the first round. Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen have all made it to the conference finals, but never past that. Can they cement their legacies by taking that last step together?

Coaching matters in the playoffs. Teams have more time to game plan for each other. Weaknesses are exposed and attacked, and it is up to the coach to recognize and react to what is happening faster than the opponent. Is Doc Rivers up to the task despite never winning a playoff series (in four tries)?

The Celtics haven’t played into May and June in some time, but this is the best team they’ve had in some time. Considering the team is giving up the fewest points in the league, fans can only hope that one other playoff truism holds form: Defense wins Championships.


Jeff Clark is the founder and lead writer of celticsblog.com.

 
 
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