What were you thinking Cooper?

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

It's one thing to speak your mind, it's another to know when to shut up.

You can bet USC women's basketball coach Michael Cooper will think twice before opening his mouth to the media before or after a game.

If you didn't read what Cooper said, take a look at this. Cooper, who played for the Los Angeles Lakers many moons ago, quickly got initiated into the USC-UCLA rivalry when he dropped a bomb during his postseason news conference on Sunday.

Here's what he said, according to ESPN.com.

"My opening statement is (expletive) UCLA," Cooper said.

Mind you, the Trojans even won the game, 70-63.

First off, can you say insert foot in mouth?

Better yet, you've got to be kidding me.

If Cooper was trying to garner national attention for his club, he's got a real twisted way of going about it.

I guess all is forgiven (seriously joking) since he later issued an apology.

Call it the heat of the battle or whatever, but it still doesn't fly with me.

Cooper crossed the line.

Whether he knows it or not, he's in a position of power and what he says and does holds a lot of weight with his players, the fans, the school and the countless number of young aspiring female basketball players that want to be just like many of the current USC players.

I know, Cooper must really regret acting like that, but what's done is done. He can take it back all he wants, but that statement is still there and it still sends the wrong message.

Would you want your child saying that after a sporting event?

No way.

A rivalry is great, but after the game shake hands, accept victory or defeat and respect your opponent.

Cooper clearly didn't do that.

There's no place in athletics for that kind of behavior.

Kids need role models.

Would you want your kid looking up to Cooper?

Where's the pride Celtics?

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

If tonight's game was any indication, then the defending world champion Boston Celtics won't make it out of the first round of the playoffs.

Are you kidding me, losing to the Chicago Bulls in Game 1? Shame on you C's. 

I don't care if Kevin Garnett isn't playing, there's no way you lose Game 1 on your home court to a bunch of young punks who should have been scared and tight by having to play the champs.

But it was the other way around. The C's played like they were the inexperienced club and there's plenty of blame to go around ... go ahead, blame everyone, they all deserve to get ripped on.

Chicago rookie guard Derrick Rose looked like a Hall of Famer, scoring 36 points on 12-of-19 shooting with 11 assists. Celtics, please feel free to guard him. Isn't Rajon Rondo suppose to be the fastest point guard in the NBA? Well, why is it that he couldn't stay with Rose? And where was the help defense to block off the drive to the bucket after Rondo got torched? Great teamwork guys! Rondo did have a great game (29 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists) offensively, but his defense just plain old stunk.

Paul Pierce with a chance to win the game in regulation .... money, right? Wrong! He hit the first free throw to tie the game, but choked on the second. It happens, but big-game players make that shot. He carried us last year in the playoffs, so here's your get-out-of-jail-free card. It's the last one, however.

And Ray Allen. I love ya man, but the ball has got to go through the hoop for you to score. You were just awful (4 points on 1-of-12 shooting), there's no sugar-coating that. He'll bounce back, though. He'll light up Chicago in Game 2. If he doesn't, then the C's will be down 0-2.

Where was the defense in the paint? You guys -- I'm calling out Kendrick Perkins and "Big Baby" Davis. How do you guys let pot-smoking Joakim Noah own the boards? Can you believe that stiff had 17 rebounds (5 offfensive)? He's also high on life right now.

You guys better wake up .... and fast.

Celtics fans aren't expecting a repeat without having KG, but at least get out of the first round. The Bulls shouldn't even be competing with you guys. Time to get tough and see what you're all made of. 

I'll repeat: There will not be a repeat for Celtics

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

It sure is a sad day to be a Boston Celtics fan. When I saw the ticker on ESPN saying that coach Doc Rivers isn't expecting star Kevin Garnett back for Game 1 of the NBA playoffs against the Chicago Bulls -- maybe the entire postseason --my first reaction was #@&!.

I'm all about team and don't think one player is above the team, well, maybe Kobe or Lebron or Bird -- but there is no way that the C's can make another run through the playoffs without Garnett. No way, no how. Yes, you can stick a fork in the Boston Celtics.

THERE WILL BE NO REPEAT!!!

The Celtics do still have Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, but the low post is where teams are going to absolutely hammer the C's. Perkins, Davis and Powe are solid at what they do, but they can't replace any part of KG's game. Garnett is a force on the boards, both offensively and defensively, and can score in a variety of ways. Not to mention, KG's desire to win and elevate his teammates' game is probably his best characteristic. He's an inspirational leader -- leader being the key word.

You know what, even with a semi-healthy Garnett, the C's wouldn't beat Cleveland, not this year, anyway. 

Please, please, please tell my how the Celtics will repeat as NBA champions? Someone get me off the edge of my roof. I want to hear from you, the reader, how the C's can repeat or if you agree with me that there's no way they'll repeat.

Defending champions still dangerous

By Chad Garner
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Can the Celtics repeat?
After beating the L.A. Lakers in last year's NBA Finals, it seemed like it was a very good possibility if, and only if, the Celtics could avoid injury.
Well, the dreaded injury bug has struck in Beantown and struck real hard.
Who hasn't been hurt for the Celtics this season? These guys sure know how to dress since we've seen them in street clothes on the bench for much of the season.
While Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins and Tony Allen have all missed time, there's no bigger blow to a team than when the heart and soul of your club misses significant time.
It happened to the Celtics with Kevin Garnett going down with a knee injury. He missed 13 games, and is just starting to work his way back into the lineup. In four games since his return, Garnett has scored only 10-10-12-4 points, while averaging around 14-16 minutes per game.
Those stats are nothing to brag about, but the key is he's back and trying to get as close to 100 percent as possible before the start of the playoffs sometime in late April.
No need to push the limits big fella, we need you primed and ready for the playoffs.
Boston needs Garnett. Not for one second does any Celtiics fan think they can repeat without the complete package Garnett. His play and his leadership and intensity were missed greatly. Defensive production was down and so was scoring.
Boston is only 5-5 in its last 10 games, and lost to Orlando on Wednesday, 84-82, to drop to 3rd in the Eastern Conference standings.
But championships aren't won in March or during the regular season.
Cleveland sits in first, followed by Orlando and Boston. Don't forget about the Lakers in the Western Conference. They all can take down the Celtics in the playoffs.
But with Paul Pierce, Ray Allen (so much for being washed up, huh!), Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, Eddie House, Leon Powe, Glen Davis and Stephon Marbury ... oh, I forgot the Great White Hope Brian Scalabrine ... the Celtics, if healthy, can do this.
Yes, they are the hunted this year, but nothing really rattles this veteran group -- Pierce, Garnett and Ray Allen wouldn't let it anyway.
I like how everyone is talking about Cleveland, Orlando and the Lakers as the next champion.
Go ahead and bury the Celtics, I'm not.
Here's to good health and hopefully another championship banner!