New England Patriots
What Happened = Aaron Hernandez (who was going to be
ranked #3 among all tight ends in No Credentials soon to be released fantasy
football rankings) was cut, and Rob Gronkowski appears destined for the PUP
List.
Reason For Panic = New England’s offense was
literally built around their two dynamic tight ends. Add the loss of Wes
Welker, and this looks like Tom Brady’s worst receiving corps since 2006. Brady
averaged 3,593 yards and 25 touchdowns from 2001 through 2006 (not bad numbers,
but not the elite level we’ve seen since 2007), so a regression to those stats
is likely. Barring an unexpected development, this won’t be a team capable of
dropping 50 points in a given week.
Reason for Optimism = Stephen Ridley led a
rejuvenated Patriots ground game (New England hadn’t been that effective on the
ground since Corey Dillon’s debut season with the Pats in 2004), so the
possibility exists that the offense can be shifted to a more run dominant
scheme. Throw in an improved defense, and the luxury of playing in the worst
division in THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE, and even without elite receiving
threats this team should be able to bang out a 10-6, AFC East winning season.
Panic or Optimism? = PANIC
Tom
Brady’s 36, so wasting a year with marginal receiving talent is a shame. Danny
Amendola provides the opportunity to fill the Welker void (if he can stay on
the field), but it will take an incredible rookie debut by Aaron Dobson for the
Patriots to be a true Super Bowl contender. They’ll win the shoddy AFC East
before getting destroyed in the Wild Card round.
Boston Celtics
What Happened = Doc Rivers successfully abandoned the
ship, making his way to the Clippers in an exchange for draft picks. Even more
depressing, Boston traded both Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce (along with Jason
Terry, but he sucked last year) to Brooklyn for a package that is best
described as a poop sandwich (unless the Nets suck sometime between 2016 and
2018, which could happen). Lastly, it is rumored that Boston has been in
serious discussions with the Dallas Mavericks about a trade that would ship
Rajon Rondo out of town.
Reason for Panic = The Celtics are going to suck ass
next season, and maybe the year after that…and possibly the year after that.
Reason for Optimism = What good is it to struggle to
be the seventh or eighth seed every year, when instead you can bottom out and
potentially land a franchise player in the draft? Andrew Wiggins has the look
of a franchise player, and his presence in next years draft will lead to the
first NBA Tankapalooza since the 2007 Oden/Durant class (for those not in the
know, “NBA Tankapalooza” is one at five of the teams in the league blatantly
try to blow as many games as possible to ensure they have the best chance in
the lottery at the first pick in the draft). If Boston misses out on Wiggins,
they can keep tanking every following year until they finally land a franchise
player. The Celtics have never been able to attract A-level free agents, so the
only way for Danny Ainge to get Boston back to a championship level is through
the draft. If the ping-pong balls fall the right way next June, Boston could be
making a title run in 2017, which is something you couldn’t say about the
Rondo-Garnett-Pierce core.
Panic or Optimism? = PANIC, with a hint of optimism
A
hyper-competitive Celtics team has spoiled us the past five years. Win or lose,
they always made a championship effort in the biggest moments. Logically
though, blowing it up is the right thing to do. Remember that when Jeff Green is
shooting 35% next year.
Boston Bruins
What Happened = Holding a 2-1 lead with roughly a
minute and a half to go, Boston surrendered two goals in 17 seconds,
squandering the opportunity to force a Game 7 in Chicago.
Reason for Panic = Allowing two goals in 17 seconds
is really hard to do. Doing it in the deciding game of the Stanley Cup Finals
is ridiculous.
Reason for Optimism = Boston wasn’t overwhelming
favorites to win the Stanley Cup (the Blackhawks started the season with 24
straight games of registering at least one point. They were the best team), so
it’s not like they gave away a certain championship like the Spurs did.
Furthermore, the team is still young. Development by their young stars, in
particular Tyler Seguin, will keep the Bruins in Stanley Cup contention for
years to come.
Panic or Optimism? = OPTIMISM
While the way they gave away Game 6 was
devastating, the Bruins appear to have the emotional fortitude to bounce back
from such an event (remember they blew a 3-0 series lead against the Flyers in
2010, and then bounced back to win the Stanley Cup the next year). They will be
fine.
Boston Red Sox
What Happened = After a disastrous 2012, the Red Sox
have the best record in the American League at the halfway point of the season.
Reason for Panic = David Ortiz took a ton of
steroids while he was injured worked really hard this off season to return
to MVP form, so one has to wonder how long it will be before he’s suspended
by MLB cools off.
Reason for Optimism = What a difference a year makes.
The return of John Farrell to the organization has done a world of wonders to
the likes of Jon Lester, Clay Bucholz, and John Lackey. They are second in the
league in run differential at a +80 (the Yankees are a –16. Yankees suck), and
lead MLB in runs scored. Tampa Bay might track them down eventually for the
division, but the Red Sox will return to postseason baseball for the first time
since 2009.
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