24. The Boston Celtics are going to need more of that Irish luck as right now when it comes to injuries they can't catch a four leaf clover. Star guard Rajon Rondo missed a third straight game with a strained hamstring. Rondo didn't make the journey to the Meadowlands and neither did reserve Point Guard Delonte West as he has broken his wrist. So it was up to emphatic, sparkplug backup Nate Robinson to start the point as he returned to the Tri-State area. Robinson will have to be even more tenacious now manning the point on his own as Boston's PG injury problems continue. Nate's backup Marquis Daniels will be needed more too so he better be careful not to pick up Shaq again. The Celts may have great depth at this position but it means nothing when all these guys are injured, you can't prepare for that. Boston will miss one of the greatest in the league with Rondo's 11.2 points and 14.3 assists per. Still the Celtics have found some lucky charms in the form of the golden play of the 'Big Shamrock'. Shaquille O'Neal carried the deep but depleted Boston team on his 345 pound plus back. O'Neal made his season high 25 points Irish making it a double, double with 11 rebounds. Looks like Shaq's back in the rejuvenation machine, or simply that he doesn't stop, he's always been this good. "I told him he looked like the 2000 Shaq...the 1999 Shaq, the 2001 and 2002 to 2003 to 2004 to 2005 to 2006," Kevin Garnett said. Da Kid's right You can always count on daddy to look after the family.
48. Speaking of the Celtics and the greatest point guards in the L, Derrick Rose was part of another thriller against the Phoenix Suns. With 35 points Rose had a Michael Jackson for his Chicago Bulls. Sure this was no seven game series like his rookie one against Boston but a 123-115, double overtime victory was great enough. Derrick Rose last night hit as many clutch shots in one game as Derek Fisher does in a series. Chicago trailed by as many as 23 in the first half but thanks to the greatest Bull since number 23 by the end of the game the Chicago Bulls were the ones taking charge. A bouquet of Rose free throws tied the game up in regulation and with 0.1 to go in the first OT, Derricks reverse lay-up was OK to keep Chi-town in it. The other Bulls also had an impact on the box score. Brit Luol Deng doubled up in the two overtime thriller with 26 and 11. Europe best-seller Joakim Noah also was nice twice had 17 points and 15 rebounds. In this nail bitter, Chicago needed a clutch pair of hands and they got that with free agent Kyle Korvers season high of 24. After a loss to the Lakers this week Chicago have rebounded well on their west coast road trip in more ways than one.
(Looks like Miami aren't the only ones getting basketball advice from Obama)
82. The critics must be loving the struggles LeBron James and his super Miami Heat team are going through right now. With their 8-7 record including a 104-95 loss in their big Florida clash with Orlando things could be a lot better. The Heat are getting the cold shoulder and could use all the love and support they can get. It doesn't get much bigger than the White House and the presidents endorsement of Miami should help the team get a few more fan votes. This is an especially good voice of support considering President Barack Obama is a die hard Chicago Bulls fan and one that was not happy that LeBron James and Dwyane Wade didn't join the offices of his team, maybe a phone call would of helped? The basketball aficionado and expert told ABC a lot of basketball home truths. "There's no 'I' in team. So no matter how good a player is, no matter how good a group of players are, if they haven't played together before they are not going to be as good as a team that has played together a long time," he said hoping fans will be patient. "It takes some time for the team to come together," he added in support. This message of this taking time is one everybody should listen to, beyond sport. Good things come to those who wait and it still looks like both the DC and Miami offices will be making big plays in the near future. Get ready to marvel at these super heroes. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
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