By Dan Massar: YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
If only it was 2000.
Not because that was the summer of the first  season of “Survivor.”  Not because it gave us the epic drama that was Bush vs. Gore.  And not because it gave us Julia Roberts showing off her goods in Erin Brockovich.
Too bad it’s not 2000 for the sake of the Boston Celtics because they just signed NBA icon and future Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal to a two year contract.  He’s 38 years old now and has played 18 NBA seasons.  Ten years ago he was in the middle of his prime and was the best player on the planet.
Now he is a serviceable big man who gives the Celtics another big body to fill in for the injured Kendrick Perkins.  If his first name wasn’t Shaq, this move would be seen as a smart and safe move by Danny Ainge.  Last year he averaged 12 points and 6 rebounds in 23 minutes per game which are respectable numbers.  But when you know these are Shaq’s numbers you begin to reminisce about his dominant days in the 90’s and most of the 2000’s when he dominated the NBA.
Everyone knows Shaq is a [...]

By: Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies Editor
The 2010 FIFA World Cup kicks off tomorrow! If you’re not lucky enough to be going to watch it in South Africa (like me ) don’t worry because there are tons of great events and bars around Boston where you can watch the games. Also, this year the US actually stands a chance of doing well, so make sure you don’t miss this.
While any Irish Pub, Brazilian Cafe, North End Bar, or Sports Bar in general will likely be showing at least some games, here are some Boston favorites, ALL OVER BOSTON, that are sure to offer a positive World Cup viewing experience. Also, most of these are opening up at the crack of dawn for the early games.
House of Blues. Lansdowne, by Fenway. The House of Blues is having a World Cup Kick Off event on June 12. Sponsored by World Cup Boston, you can meet the New England Revolution players, probably some Boston Breakers players, and win free stuff. Opens at 10 am and goes all day for all the games (but the important one is US vs England). Apparently 2,000 people will be there.
Game On. Brookline Ave near Fenway. Opening at [...]

By: Dan Massar, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
Celtics vs. Lakers, it just rolls off the tongue doesn’t it? The signature basketball event will again have its signature matchup.  It’s east coast vs. west coast.  Defensive toughness vs. offensive firepower.  Blue collar vs. Hollywood.  The two greatest franchises in basketball are facing off again in the NBA Finals. The Celtics have won 17 titles to the Lakers’ 15.  Both teams have had countless Hall of Famers and memorable moments to savor in their histories.  Another chapter is about to be written in the saga that is Celtics vs. Lakers.
Historically this has been a one sided rivalry. This is the 12th time they have met up with the NBA Championship on the line.  The Celtics are 9-2 against the Lakers in their previous 11 Finals matchups.  The Lakers finally broke through against the Celtics in the 1985 NBA Finals; a year after Boston beat LA in a tough 7 game series.  They also beat Bird’s Celtics in the 1987 Finals.  The Celtics dominated the Lakers in the 60’s, went 1-2 against them in the 80’s and are now 1-0 against them in the New Big Three vs. Kobe era.  So much more then the [...]

By: Joe Ballway, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
Troubling Trends: The Epic Buildup to the Epic Collapse
People say Boston sports fans are spoiled. After attending Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at the Garden on May 14 of both 2009 and 2010, I’m here to dispel that notion.
There simply isn’t a more soul-crushing team in sports over the past decade than the Boston Bruins. Each of these ten years has been marred by either remarkable regular-season failure or, more frequently, excruciating postseason loss. Every time this team appears to be gathering steam and climbing the ranks, the roof collapses. When it’s all said and done, year after year, the fingers are pointed and the names are named. Then come the changes–though, no matter the cast, the result is always the same.
Along with death and taxes, the dramatic postseason demise of the Boston Bruins seems to be one of the few certainties in life, and the only certainty for this franchise.
The numbers tell you all you need to know. The Bruins have been bounced from the playoffs in Game 7 losses in three straight years, and four straight postseason appearances. They sport an abysmal 1-4 record in playoff series in which they’ve been the higher seed since 2002. And, as we all know by now, they’re the first [...]

By: Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies Editor
Not again.
Boston fans might be a little uneasy after the Celtics failed to sweep the Magic last night. This looks a little too much like the Bruins playoff series against the Flyers, and that didn’t end well. In fact, the similarity of the paths of our two Boston teams is downright scary.
How they compare:

Both took a three game lead with advancement looking like a sure thing.
Both had a blowout in game three, the Bruins winning 4-1, the Celtics 94-71.
Both teams fell short of a sweep in game four, losing in overtime.

The rest of the Celtics story remains unwritten as Boston fans tuck their Beat LA shirts away momentarily and pray they don’t await the same fate as their Garden counterparts.
And while nobody saw the Bruins fall from glory coming, a repeat for the Celtics is unlikely. They are not the Bruins. And here are a few reasons why they won’t let this series slip away.
Why:

The Celtics are a championship team. The memories of the last time the B’s won a Stanley Cup are foggy at best, but this Celtics team has already proven they can bring home a trophy. They’re a little bit older, but [...]

By: Dan Massar, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
In some ways the NBA Finals have already begun for the Celtics and Lakers. Of course the Magic and Suns could come back from their 0-2 holes to get to the promised land, but it doesn’t seem likely.
The Celtics are going home for two games and can clinch the series by taking them both.  The Magic need to beat the Celtics 4 out of 5 and win at least 2 games in Boston to win the series.  The Celtics haven’t lost a home playoff game yet this postseason.  Meanwhile the Lakers have won 8 playoff games in a row and Phil Jackson has never lost a playoff series when he’s up 2-0.  A collapse from the Celtics and Lakers wouldn’t be at a Bruins level, but it would be very surprising.
The Celtics and Lakers are eyeing each other.  The competition has begun. Both teams want to stay hot and finish their series’ quickly.  An epic NBA Finals is on the horizon as the two best franchises in NBA history are also clearly the two best teams right now.
This is when being a fan is so great. We don’t have to pretend like the players often [...]

By Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies Editor
The Yankees are World Series Champions and post-Sox season depression has more than set in. Sometimes the best cure is to eat and maybe even drink your feelings. So here are some Boston Sox themed drinks/eats to get you through the FREEZING Boston winter to Spring.
First the EATs. Because you need something in your stomach before the drinks and these are a step up from a Fenway Frank:
McGreevy’s Beckett Burger: He might not have been the ace we needed in the post season, but this burger will not fail your stomach. McGreevy’s is Boston’s first Sports Bar. The Beckett Burger is one pound, nine ounces (for Beckett’s number 19), of beef, buns, lettuce, tomatoes and pickles. Win or lose you get a t-shirt, and part of the proceeds go to Beckett’s charity. I personally did it with one other person and it was delicious.
UBurger: Located in Kenmore Square (right by Fenway!) or on Comm. Ave, UBurger claims to be “Above All Burgers” with several Red Sox themed patties like the Big Papi Burger. They also have some awesome Frappes.
JP Licks: For dessert, pick up the Green Monster Sundae (comes in a plastic red sox hat) or Cherry Garciaparra/Ortiz icecream [...]