US – Sunday, March 21
Music
SXSW ’10: Get your dance on, great songs optional
The trends that emerged from the SXSW Music Conference in Austin last week are still bubbling to the top as I make sense of the hundreds of songs that filled the city for four days, but one thing I definitely noticed is that popular music may soon have a lot more emphasis on flexibility.
 
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At AKC, it’s score one for the mutts
Founded in 1884 as a registry for pure-bred dogs, the American Kennel Club didn’t traditionally offer many perks for your beloved lab-poodle-schnauzer mix. But as of April 1, the AKC Canine Partners Program will offer mutts not only membership benefits, but opportunities to compete at dog sporting events.
 
New York Sports
Orange puts on clinic in NCAAs
One day after No. 9 Northern Iowa shocked the tourney’s No. 1 overall seed, Kansas, Syracuse showed how top seeds should play on the big stage.
 
International
Abuse apology not enough, critics say
Pope Benedict’s apology to Ireland went further than any other papal statement on child sex abuse by priests, but still fell far too short for many victims of the scandals shaking the Roman Catholic Church across Europe.
 
Boston Sports
Excitement schemes too much
“This is what happens, Sarah. This is what happens when there are weeks and weeks of meaningless spring games and nothing else to talk about. This is what happens.”

 
Published 20:09, May the 13th, 2008
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Posey won a title with Miami. Posey won a title with Miami. 
 

Veterans Day

Posey becoming a playoff force for Celtics

NBA. There’s a unique aura that James Posey carries with him through the Celtics’ locker room.

While his teammates envy his championship ring, they also admire the way he goes about his business. Off the court, Posey adds the ideal veteran presence that every title-driven team desires, to the point where players in Miami have said this season they regretted management’s decision to let him leave the Heat.

And then there’s Posey’s pregame routine, when he hugs every starter individually before they head onto the court and gives each their own pep talk, something he began doing four years ago when he played for the Grizzlies.

These intricacies carry even more weight through the pressure of the playoffs, especially for the Celtics, who have struggled to keep their poise in tough games on the road. They need someone like Posey who isn’t afraid to speak up in the huddle or on the court.

“He’s been through it,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. “He’s comfortable in the playoffs. He is more valuable [this time of year].”

Naturally, Posey garners most of this respect because he can back it up. His defense while fronting Cavs star LeBron James has a lot to do with James’ 25.6 shooting percentage in the Eastern Conference semis.

“He’s a very good defender,” James said. “I think when a team is so good defensively, individuals can be very good. When James knows he has help behind him, he can be allowed to press up and do some things that you couldn’t do if the back line wasn’t so good.”

Such examples force younger players to gravitate toward Posey. Rookie forward Glen Davis and second-year forward Leon Powe have found themselves asking Posey about defensive assignments or any problem they might encounter, whether it’s in the gym or at home.

“I think he does a great job,” Davis said of Posey. “He’s just a smart basketball player. He just plays the game tremendously hard and knows the game and plays the game with a lot of wisdom. It shows out there when he guards a great player like LeBron.”

 
 
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