Garnett has successful surgery

The Boston Celtics announced today that forward Kevin Garnett underwent successful right knee arthroscopy and removal of posterior knee bone spurs today at the New England Baptist Hospital. The surgery was performed by Team Physician Dr. Brian McKeon and was assisted by Dr. Michael Belkin and Dr. John Richmond.

“After this successful surgery, Kevin can now begin to focus on rehabilitating his knee, returning to top physical shape and fully preparing for the 2009-10 season,” Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge remarked.

Garnett appeared in 57 games this season for the Celtics averaging 15.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.11 steals and 1.19 blocks in 31.1 minutes per game. Garnett became the youngest player in NBA history to have played in 1,000 career games when he played against the Bulls on October 31, 2008 at the age of 32 years and 165 days. Garnett was named to the 2009 NBA All-Defense First Team for the second consecutive season and his 10^th consecutive season of being named to either the First or Second Team. The Farragut Academy product was named to his 12^th All-Star game this past season and his 12 appearances are second-most among active players behind only Shaquille O’Neal.

“I expect Kevin to return to active duty in full force and be that consummate two-way professional that he has shown all of us throughout his fantastic NBA career,” Celtics Head Coach Doc Rivers added.

Powe has surgery

Boston Celtics forward Leon Powe underwent successful knee surgery Tuesday morning.

Powe suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals against Chicago on April 20.

Tuesday's procedure reconstructed the ACL while also repairing a microfracture and damaged cartilage. No timetable has been given for Powe's return, but he will miss the remainder of the playoffs and is expected to make a full recovery.

Powe averaged 7.7 points in 70 regular season games in 2008-09. He injured his right knee in mid-March, coincidentally, against Chicago.

Pierce's game-winner

Allen's game-winner

Allen has successful left thumb surgery

-Courtesy of the Boston Celtics

BOSTON, MA – The Boston Celtics announced today that guard Tony Allen underwent successful surgery to repair ligaments in his left thumb at New England Baptist Hospital. Allen will miss the next eight weeks.

Allen, a 6’4” 213lb guard, is currently in his fifth season with the Celtics and is averaging 7.8 points and 1.25 steals in 19.1 minutes per game. Allen has scored in double-figures 17 times this season in 42 contests and has led the Celtics in steals in 11 games. The former Oklahoma State Cowboy netted a season-high of 23 points against the Pistons on November 9.

Lakers-Celts in two-horse race

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - When I wake up in the morning, I'm like a lot of men who like sports -- I grab the newspaper (yes people my age still read newspapers) and immediately navigate to the sports section.

But, at the risk of sounding haughty, I do consider myself rather well-read, and will eventually peek through the "more important" parts of the paper.

And I have to admit when I see the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers dominating things in the NBA, I almost expect to see Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev on the front page, signing some kind of treaty in Iceland.

It's been a very long time since Magic Johnson and Larry Bird "rescued" the NBA and forever stamped Lakers-Celtics as the preeminent rivalry in the sport.

Since then, Isiah and the "Bad Boys" ignited the Motor City, Michael surpassed Magic, Larry and Wilt as the greatest player in NBA history and Shaq, Kobe and Phil Jackson brought another dynasty to Hollywood with three straight tiles.

The Lakers and Celtics have combined for a 15-1 record so far this season.

But, the Lakers and Celtics were never good together.

That all changed last year when Danny Ainge rebuilt Boston into a 66-win juggernaut and a world champion in just one offseason.

Of course, the Celtics faced Los Angeles in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1986-87 and Boston tortured the Andrew Bynum-less Lakers with the pick-and-roll, and on the boards, en route to its first title since '85-86.

Barring a significant injury, you can book the sequel.

I realize its only mid-November but the Lakers and Celtics have combined for a 15-1 record and the only other championship-tested contender, San Antonio. is a miserable 2-5 as Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker sit on the sidelines with ankle injuries.

Atlanta is a great story and almost stunned the Celtics in Beantown Wednesday night before cold-blooded Finals MVP Paul Pierce buried a fadeaway jumper with 0.5 seconds to play, handing the Hawks their first loss of the season. As talented as Atlanta is, however, it's still far too early in the careers of Al Horford and Josh Smith to take the team all that seriously.

So how about the other roadblocks?

With all due respect to Kobe Bryant, Cleveland's LeBron James is my choice for the best player in basketball, and Mo Williams was a nice addition for the Cavs, but general manager Danny Ferry just hasn't done enough to compete with the big boys.

In the Big Easy, Chris Paul's daily double-double is nice but doesn't make up for one of the league's thinnest benches.

I suppose the fountain of youth could be in Phoenix and a healthy Shaquille O'Neal might carry the Suns a long way, but it's hard to imagine a team changing so drastically in philosophy being a championship-type club.

As usual, Utah is the most unselfish team in basketball but can't play on the road in big situations.

Meanwhile Joe Dumars already waved the white flag in Detroit when he acquired Allen Iverson.

It's a two-horse race in the NBA, and the participants are awfully familiar.

Celtics give Ainge extension

Celtics reward Danny Ainge with promotion and contract extension

The Sixers are back

Check out my take on the rekindling of the Sixers-Celtic rivalry here...