There Goes 82-0

I really thought this would be the year.  The first 82-0 season ever.  Now it's all over.

Okay, I'm kidding.  I didn't actually think the Celtics or anybody else was going 82-0.  Especially not when you play like that.  

Just a sloppy game.  Much sloppier than the opener against Cleveland when at least there was emotion and energy to make up for it.  Way too many turnovers (nothing new there I guess), which was best illustrated by KG deciding that dribbling wasn't necessary and getting called for traveling all night.  

That said, I don't think this loss is anything to get worried about.  Obviously we all wanted to see the season open with a long undefeated streak like last year, but this was just an example of a good team playing poorly.  It's frustrating as hell, but we just have to accept it and move on.  Besides, anytime your opponent's best player sacrifices his two front teeth hustling for a loose ball with a 16 point lead, it's probably just not your night.

But as bad as we looked, some credit should go to the Pacers.  I was pretty impressed.  A bunch of new players playing well together.  I certainly don't think they're any kind of contender, but they should have a good season.  Jim O'Brien is a great coach, and of course they have Larry involved, so it seems a given that something good would come out of this.  

One thing that bothered me though was the play of Eddie House.  He didn't shit the bed or anything, but I didn't really see the normal hustle and he seemed to be blaming everyone else for his screw-ups.  This was the second time in as many nights that he threw a bad pass and then immediately proceeded to bitch out a teammate for the turnover.  Maybe he's seeing something I'm not, but it's not even a situation where the intended recipient needed to come to the ball--Eddie just tried to make a pass to someone who wasn't open.  Maybe the other guy (pretty sure it was Tony Allen tonight) ran the offense wrong, but either way I don't like Eddie's reaction.  Combined with his T for complaining after a foul call (which was questionable, but none the less), I'm not thrilled with Mr. House.  I like him better when he isn't getting minutes, so when he DOES get in the game he just hustles and hits threes.  I say we play Pruitt just to see if it fixes House's attitude. 

Since Eddie House has me feeling a little punchy, a few random thoughts:

I know I'm stealing this argument from Bill Simmons but I don't care: how come I pay more than $40 a month for NBA League Pass (and that's with the Early Bird Special) but then get stuck with the Indiana Pacers' broadcasters?  I am paying for this after all; why can't I get Comcast New England's coverage if I want it?  And to make matters worse, former Celtic Quinn Buckner is a member of the Pacer broadcast team.  This means I will hear from Quinn Buckner more often this season than from Bob Cousy.  I guess it's my own damn fault for moving.

The only comment worth making about Friday night's schalacking of the Bulls: Vinny Del Negro REALLY looks like Luke Wilson.  I never noticed it before (and I've met Vinny Del Negro) and it was shocking.  It's going to be a tough road for Vinny this season.  At least if this doesn't work out he'll have a future in movies.

Speaking of people who look like other people: the Governor of Indiana looks exactly like Peyton Manning.  Older obviously, but from a distance, I actually thought it was Peyton.  Bizarre.  He joined the Pacer broadcasters during the game for a few minutes.  I guess had I been watching Comcast New England I would have missed it.  Shame on me for complaining.

In closing, as I write this the Hornets are beating up on the Cavs.  James Posey has been pretty impressive...  

Tony Allen has a long way to go.