Boston: Sports City of the Year?
Boston Sports Fans are enjoying an exciting year for all of their professional franchises. First, the Patriots pull of a mammoth upset and then the Fleet Center occupants find their way to the top of the standings.
If there was ever a year to name Boston the best sports town in America, 2002 would be the one. After the New England Patriots shocked the St. Louis Rams back in early February, the city celebrated a championship for the first time in 16 years.
Patriots Safety Lawyer Milloy then said the rest of the Boston franchises would follow in the Patriots success. Championships may be out of the question for the B's and the Celtics but after the Patriots run, we all know that anything is possible.
The Boston Bruins have secured the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs despite a late season lull. The last time this squad had a legitimate chance at the Stanley Cup was '91 against the Edmonton Oilers.
Nobody believed this young squad could compete with the best teams in the Eastern conference this soon. Heck, the B's traded franchise legend Raymond Bourque to Colorado so he could have a crack at winning the cup in '01.
When Bourque and the Av's won the Cup a season ago, Bruins loyalists wore half Boston/half Colorado jerseys. Those things might have to go into the archives for a while, especially if the B's and Colorado meet in the Stanley Cup Finals/
In the first round of the playoffs, Boston will renew its rivalry with eighth seeded Montreal. Anything can happen in these Stanley Cup playoffs so the Bruins won't be looking ahead to their next matchup.
The clear-cut favorite, however, is the Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference. They have been the dominant team all season and it would be difficult for Boston to beat them in a seven game series.
The sun is also shining for the other folks who call the Fleet Center their home. The Celtics will be making their first playoff appearence in the Fleet Center as the third seed in the Eastern Conference.
With marquee players in Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker, the Celtics have come up with big victories including a sweep of the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers.
Obviously, the Western Conference is stronger and the Lakers success depends on the Shaquille O'Neal's health. The Eastern Conference, on the other hand, is wide open.
Boston has shown that it can compete with New Jersey and Detroit, the top two Eastern seeds. One team that gives the Celts fits is Philadelphia. I'd rather see Charlotte in the first round because of the way Philly gets up for the Celtics.
The Hornets franchise is in such poor condition that a a game at the Charlotte Coliseum may be more like a neutral site game for both teams.
I'm not even going to start with the Red Sox. We all know about their tragic history. But these Sox look good early and if they can make the playoffs, it would further strengthen Boston's case as the Sports Town of the Year.
For you folks who say Foxboro doesn't count as Boston, I'm going to go ahead and nominate New England as Sports Region of the Year.
Here are some other examples, on the collegiate level of why New England deserves consideration.
-Women's Basketball- The UConn Huskies capped an undefeated season when they beat Oklahoma in the Women's Championship game. No one could touch Geno Auriemma's squad this winter.
-Men's Basketball- The UConn Huskies men's team couldn't catch a break in the final minutes of their Elite Eight loss to eventual champion Maryland. Along with Indiana, the Huskies gave Maryland the best game out of anyone in the tournament. Boston native and UC Coach Jim Calhoun led the Big East Championship in Madison Square Garden. Rhode Island native Tony Robertson was a solid contributor on the team.
Holy Cross- After a mediocre regular season, the boys from Worcester received a 16 seed and scared the daylights out of Kansas. Boston College- Despite underachieving after their '01 Campaign, the Eagles once again reached the NCAA Tourney before falling to Texas at Dallas.
Hockey- Maine and New Hampshire each played in the Frozen Four with Maine losing to Minnesota in the title game.
College Football- Boston College was one play away from knocking off eventual national champion Miami. With the exception of Virginia Tech, no team came as close as the Eagles did. And this was without NFL prospect William Green, who was serving a one game suspension at the time. BC then defeated a ranked Georgia team in the Music City Bowl.
Patriots Safety Lawyer Milloy then said the rest of the Boston franchises would follow in the Patriots success. Championships may be out of the question for the B's and the Celtics but after the Patriots run, we all know that anything is possible.
The Boston Bruins have secured the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs despite a late season lull. The last time this squad had a legitimate chance at the Stanley Cup was '91 against the Edmonton Oilers.
Nobody believed this young squad could compete with the best teams in the Eastern conference this soon. Heck, the B's traded franchise legend Raymond Bourque to Colorado so he could have a crack at winning the cup in '01.
When Bourque and the Av's won the Cup a season ago, Bruins loyalists wore half Boston/half Colorado jerseys. Those things might have to go into the archives for a while, especially if the B's and Colorado meet in the Stanley Cup Finals/
In the first round of the playoffs, Boston will renew its rivalry with eighth seeded Montreal. Anything can happen in these Stanley Cup playoffs so the Bruins won't be looking ahead to their next matchup.
The clear-cut favorite, however, is the Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference. They have been the dominant team all season and it would be difficult for Boston to beat them in a seven game series.
The sun is also shining for the other folks who call the Fleet Center their home. The Celtics will be making their first playoff appearence in the Fleet Center as the third seed in the Eastern Conference.
With marquee players in Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker, the Celtics have come up with big victories including a sweep of the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers.
Obviously, the Western Conference is stronger and the Lakers success depends on the Shaquille O'Neal's health. The Eastern Conference, on the other hand, is wide open.
Boston has shown that it can compete with New Jersey and Detroit, the top two Eastern seeds. One team that gives the Celts fits is Philadelphia. I'd rather see Charlotte in the first round because of the way Philly gets up for the Celtics.
The Hornets franchise is in such poor condition that a a game at the Charlotte Coliseum may be more like a neutral site game for both teams.
I'm not even going to start with the Red Sox. We all know about their tragic history. But these Sox look good early and if they can make the playoffs, it would further strengthen Boston's case as the Sports Town of the Year.
For you folks who say Foxboro doesn't count as Boston, I'm going to go ahead and nominate New England as Sports Region of the Year.
Here are some other examples, on the collegiate level of why New England deserves consideration.
-Women's Basketball- The UConn Huskies capped an undefeated season when they beat Oklahoma in the Women's Championship game. No one could touch Geno Auriemma's squad this winter.
-Men's Basketball- The UConn Huskies men's team couldn't catch a break in the final minutes of their Elite Eight loss to eventual champion Maryland. Along with Indiana, the Huskies gave Maryland the best game out of anyone in the tournament. Boston native and UC Coach Jim Calhoun led the Big East Championship in Madison Square Garden. Rhode Island native Tony Robertson was a solid contributor on the team.
Holy Cross- After a mediocre regular season, the boys from Worcester received a 16 seed and scared the daylights out of Kansas. Boston College- Despite underachieving after their '01 Campaign, the Eagles once again reached the NCAA Tourney before falling to Texas at Dallas.
Hockey- Maine and New Hampshire each played in the Frozen Four with Maine losing to Minnesota in the title game.
College Football- Boston College was one play away from knocking off eventual national champion Miami. With the exception of Virginia Tech, no team came as close as the Eagles did. And this was without NFL prospect William Green, who was serving a one game suspension at the time. BC then defeated a ranked Georgia team in the Music City Bowl.
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