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Feels like we’re due for another title around these parts. Celtics, are you listening?

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6 months ago

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Feels like we’re due for another title around these parts. Celtics, are you listening?

John Rooke
 |  Special to The Providence Journal

Thinking out loud… while wondering if the trouble with learning from experience is because we never graduate…

Did You Know: There are 142 professional sports teams among the “Big Four” sports in this country. Sorry, soccer. You aren’t there yet.

And among those, Boston’s (OK, New England’s) four representatives have had their share of success, amplified since the start of the new millennium.

And before you interject, Yankee fan, you have 27 championships from the last century, yes. We know. It’s hard to remember that long ago.

The math says 26 titles for New England prior to 2000, dating to 1903. Since 2000, however, the total is already up another dozen, with the Celtics now in position to extend that number to a lucky 13th… and claim Banner 18 overall for the franchise.

More: Is it time for the Boston Bruins to move on from coach Jim Montgomery?

History matters, sure… but being good today matters more. Being relevant. If you weren’t alive for it, did it really happen? That’s how the world rotates today, in an era of instant gratification. But since kicking off the 21st century, New England’s teams have been more than just gratifying.

They’ve been dominant, or at least in a position to dominate. In the last 50 years, New England’s four teams have made 35 championship series appearances, with the Celtics primed to be No. 36. Los Angeles has 37, but they have eight teams. New York has 32, but also eight teams.

NY hasn’t made an NBA final in 25 years or won one in 51. Put that in your Knickerbockers and sit on it for a spell.

So, does Boston/New England still have a claim to being called “Titletown?” Los Angeles, on numbers alone, has earned a slice. Green Bay has an actual Titletown shopping and social experience surrounding Lambeau Field, where the Packers play. Kinda like Patriot Place around Gillette Stadium.

But the Packers haven’t won since…2011. Or even been in The Game since then, either. The Celtics’ success this year just might keep New England and Boston relevant, if not dominant.

We’re so spoiled by 21st century success. But isn’t it time for another hat and T-shirt day? Just sayin’.

∎ Not for nuthin’, but Dallas this year is playing host to conference finals in both the NBA and NHL — the first city to get this double feature since 2003.

∎ If the Celtics could simply commit to a consistent defensive effort, it’s likely Banner 18 could already be at the print shop. Yes, Indiana has offensive talent. But the Celtics have more on both ends of the floor. They either can’t – or don’t – want to show it.

∎ You likely already realize this – but if the C’s don’t win it all, Johnston Joe’s job security will equate to a unicorn’s fart in the wind. Gone before you see it..

∎ Charles Barkley is a lot of things. He was a great NBA player, and he’s certainly noteworthy as a broadcaster for his “off the cuff” comments. He’s also NOT a lot of things. But one thing he is good for – is PR. Positive or negative.

This week, while interviewing the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards on TNT following their dispatch of defending NBA champ Denver, Barkley mentioned he hadn’t been to Minnesota “in probably 20 years.” To which Edwards replied, “Bring ya’ a**.”

Boom. Instant PR campaign. The State of Minnesota’s tourism website gateway is now BringYaAss.com. Brilliant.

∎ Hey Chuck, can you do anything for the Ocean State? “Cooler and Warmer” has been taken. Thanks.

∎ X post of the Week I, from @alexspeier: “Number of times Tanner Houck pitched 7+ innings from: 2020-23 – 1. In 2024 – 3.”

Say whatever you like about these Red Sox. You likely wouldn’t be wrong. But one thing you can say, with some assuredness – starting pitching is keeping them in it. In games, and in relevancy (so far) this season.

∎ Equally stunning has been the long ball off the bat of Rafael Devers, who broke a Red Sox franchise record this week by homering in six straight games. No one, not Ruth or Foxx or Ted or Yaz or Manny or Big Papi ever did that. And he’s on a pace for career-best numbers in walk percentage, on base percentage, slugging and the ever-mysterious OPS.

∎ And when, exactly, do the Red Sox and Yankees finally get to see each other, much less play each other this season? It’s a rhetorical question for the lame league office, don’t @ me.

∎ Massachusetts native Frank McCourt, who unsuccessfully tried to buy the Red Sox in 2002 and lost his bid to John Henry, Tom Werner, and Larry Lucchino, is in buy-mode again. McCourt purchased and owned the LA Dodgers from 2004-2012, ultimately selling the team after a messy divorce.

Now he sez he wants to buy the social media app Tik Tok from its Chinese parent and is putting together investors for a potential $100 billion bid. You want a piece of the action?

∎ X post of the week II, from @BostonSportsInf: “NHL home teams in the playoffs last 17 games: (4-13, .235). Last 2 seasons: (72-85, .459). Whatever you thought home ice means, you might want to reassess.”

∎My buddy “Big E” sez he’s fat. And it’s not because it runs in his family, it’s because nobody runs in his family.

∎ Updating the scoreboard for lawsuits brewing in the college game: Professionals 3, Amateurs 0. And the Am’s are not a threat to score anytime soon.

The Big East is likely going to be left holding the bag, along with the other 21 non-FBS leagues, as the NCAA has voted to allow schools to officially pay their athletes. Commissioner Val Ackerman is pushing back on the legal settlements coming, which are likely to cost each conference school $700K annually over the next 10 years, according to Yahoo! Sports.

Face it. Football runs college athletics, even if the Big East ran from football 12 years ago. And because the Big East is ultra-successful in basketball, they’ll likely be forced to pay a disproportionate share of the settlement back to NCAA athletes – many of whom play FBS football. Which is a sport they no longer play.

Think of the pledge scene from the ‘70’s cult-flick “Animal House,” with actor Kevin Bacon bending over upon induction into his fraternity. Whack. “Thank you, sir, may I have another?”

∎ Athletic directors at seven ACC schools have discussed the idea of eight to ten members voting to break away from the league, ending the current Grant of Rights and creating a new TV deal that could be just as valuable as the one they have now…with fewer schools sharing the pot.

Which means… BC, Syracuse, and Pitt – the former Big East members – could be left out. Karma is often a strange bedfellow.

∎ Pretty cool deal for one time Friar radio announcer Gary Cohen (1988-89), now the long time TV voice of the New York Mets and radio voice for Seton Hall basketball. Cohen gave the commencement address at Seton Hall this past week and was bestowed an honorary doctorate degree.

And he had never worn a graduation cap and gown in his life before Tuesday, even though he is a high school and college graduate.

Cohen has been with the Mets on radio or TV since ’89 and was inducted into their Hall of Fame last summer…after broadcasting with PC for a season and also with the Pawtucket Red Sox in the mid-to-late ‘80’s. He has been behind the mic at SHU for 21 seasons, since 2003.

∎ Bryant will play at St. John’s Carnesecca Arena Dec. 11 next season, giving the Bulldogs’ and ex-Red Storm guard Rafael Pinzon the chance to thank Rick Pitino personally for his fresh start in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

∎ The University of Washington basketball team will likely have the highest paid, NIL-earning athlete next season…Utah State transfer forward Great Osobor, at a cool $2 mil. And isn’t his name, um, Great?

∎ Patriot OTA’s? YAWN. Don’t get too caught up in the minutiae. For a roster that is turning itself over and presently full of youth, there is a lot of learning to do.

More: 5 possible surprise roster cuts looming on the horizon for Patriots

But…do you really care how Drake Maye looks during his first snaps at practice, or do you care how he looks during his first GAME snaps when the season starts? Do you care how his feet move? Or how his arm angle ends up on release? Or…

Hey, there’s a long way to go here. The coaches need to coach, the players need to learn. Some in the media will have you thinking otherwise, however, creating chicken salad for you to chew on mostly out of chicken feathers. Take what you hear, watch, and read under advisement over the next couple of months.

∎ Maybe the Patriots knew something we didn’t? Arizona rookie receiver Marvin Harrison, Jr. already has legal troubles, being sued by Fanatics for breach of contract. The team alleges Harrison signed a deal and tried to renegotiate after he was drafted.

∎ Nothing cringe-worthy going on at the PGA Championship last week, was there? Unless you are the family and friends of World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, aka “The PGA’s Most Wanted.”

Scheffler put the entire kerfuffle in the proper perspective by pointing out that a man lost his life early that Friday morning… before the news of his arrest broke, and the internet was set ablaze with comic meme after meme.

Some might say if he had just followed direction, perhaps none of the aftermath happens? And perhaps if Louisville police had a do-over, maybe a volunteer doesn’t lose his life, or a sad situation doesn’t grow into something worse?

∎ For what it’s worth, final round coverage on TV was up 10% over a year ago, with Xander Schauffele knocking down a birdie putt on the 72nd hole – the way you’d love to see any competition conclude. Someone won it, instead of losing it.

∎ KC sent a note from South County about URI’s men’s track and field team – which recently won its 31st Atlantic-10 championship: “…there is a team on campus that has been killing it for years without the luxury of an outdoor track… I guess I get disappointed when I see them win, with barely any recognition…I understand that the big sports get all the attention…It would be nice if the team that consistently shows up finally got a sentence or two of recognition.”

Consider it done, KC. And while we’re thinking out loud, URI’s varsity rowing team also won its 10th Atlantic-10 title this past week.

Interested in having your questions on Rhode Island sports (and yes, that includes the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins, and Celtics) answered in a somewhat timely fashion? Think out loud and send your questions, comments, and local stories to jrbroadcaster@gmail.com. We’ll share mailbag comments/Facebook posts/threads right here! Join me on Twitter/X, @JRbroadcaster…on Facebook, www.facebook.com/john.rooke, and on Instagram and Threads @JRbroadcaster.

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