It takes a man to admit when he’s wrong.

Well, I wasn’t really wrong.  I just chose the wrong side of the debate.

Many of the Fox faithful may remember a little ditty called He Said She Said in which BlueGrassLady and I debated the hottest topic in sports for your amusement.  We debated whether Pete Rose should be in the Hall, whether there should an NFL rookie salary cap, whether we would let our son play for Bobby Knight, whether the AL should get rid of the designated hitter rule, whether baseball’s All-Star Game should determine home field advantage in the World Series and whether we should dedicate so much of our life and love to professional sports.

She was a worthy adversary to be sure.  Prior to posting, we’d discuss potential debate topics and allow each other to choose a side.  It was a great exercise in writing and we received enthusiastic support from the blogosphere.

When Danny Ainge pulled off a coup by landing both Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in the 2007 off-season, Bluegrass and I debated whether that move guaranteed a Celtic title.  While I was still (a little) skeptical, Bluegrass chose the side of the C’s.  One has to figure that if you took the field against the Celtics pre-season, you’d have to like your chances.  Then they tipped off.

The Celtics tore through the regular season, losing only 16 games.  When the playoffs hit, they slowly picked up tempo, building up confidence, then absolutely destroyed the Lakers in a Finals that should not have made it to six games.

Looking back at my argument, I felt I had some valid points which the Celtics players, coaching staff and entire operations eventually put to rest to ensure their team hoisted the O’Brien Trophy by season's end.

Point Guard Play:  After watching Rajon Rondo throughout his college career at Kentucky, I never questioned his talent.  I just questioned whether he’d be able to lead a team to a title in his sophomore year in the league.  Not only was Rondo impressive, but he outplayed every point guard that tried to cover him, including Mike Bibby, Delonte West, Chauncey Billups and Derek Fisher, ALL of whom have more playoff experience and years in the league.  Rondo was consistently quicker than his defenders and made great decisions on BOTH sides of the ball.  He came through with timely steals throughout the playoffs and his assist/turnover ratio was as good as can be expected (over 3:1).  Heck, in Game Six, he even took Kobe Bryant off the dribble and drew a foul for a three point play.  Of course it doesn’t hurt to have three of the most potent offensive players of this generation to play alongside.  The addition of Sam Cassell was also key as Sam I Am came off the bench throughout the playoffs and provided offense, or at least shot attempts, to a sometimes sputtering Celtic offense.

Back Court Defense: While Rondo never had to face the likes of Deron Williams or Chris Paul, he still was effective against opposing point guards.  His quickness and instincts forced turnovers, Celtic fast breaks and key swings in momentum.  The rest of their backcourt also combined to take Kobe Bryant out of his element, holding him to 40% shooting for the Finals.

Cap Space:  Credit Danny Ainge.  The old Celtic earned his keep, and a GM of the Year award, by making key acquisitions in PJ Brown and Sam Cassell, veteran presences who provided quality minutes throughout the second season.  In fact, the entire Boston bench outplayed the Lakers.  The Celtics featured a near perfect blend of starters and subs.  There were few players that didn’t make memorable contributions.  Each player knew their role and accepted it for the common goal: an NBA Crown.

Age and Health:  While the Celtics got more dinged up as the playoffs progressed, their communal will and determination helped them rise above.  Doc played the Big Three a fair amount of minutes throughout the regular season.  But it’s not like Garnett (32), Allen (32) and Pierce (30) are THAT old.  They certainly didn’t play like it when it mattered.  In fact, despite their injuries (and questionably staged re-entries) the Celtics’ Big Three looked as energetic and spry as their twenty-two year old point guard.  In the end, they would not be denied.  No bumps, bruises or nagging injuries would stand in their way.

Coaching:  Okay…. here I owe a sincere apology.  Remember, Doc Rivers used to coach my Orlando Magic.  Before that, he was one of the finest and most articulate TNT announcers to work the mic.  When Doc underachieved with the Magic, Orlando fans were bitter.  But it was wrong to ever question his smarts, leadership or class.  Sure, he had a roster full of talent, but he should be credited for discovering exactly what it took to lead this team to greatness.  And he did it with flair.  When Ray Allen struggled early, he always backed his man.  Heck, most would argue he even out-coached Phil Jackson in the Finals.  Case in point, early in Game Six, with the outcome of the game still in question, Doc received a technical for arguing that Kobe Bryant tossed aside Eddie House while moving through a pick.  We’re talking about the ninth man off the bench against the biggest name in the league.  There was no way House was going to get that call.  In fact, it was a great move by Bryant to get around the pick.  But for Doc to receive a tech with his season on the line and have the back of his ninth man says something about the man’s character.  The Celtics have themselves a great coach and leader, and we can now add his name to a select few that have won a title.  One gets the feeling this will not be his last.

Competition:  The Celtics may have played down to their opponents on occasion, dropping three to both the Cavaliers and Hawks, but when it mattered most, they got the job done.  It is pure speculation to wonder whether they could have made it through the West unscathed, but considering how they dismantled the Lakers, as well as having dominated against the West all-season, it’s safe to assume the Celtics are without question the best team in the league.

If you weren’t moved by watching Kevin Garnett in tears as the confetti fell in the Garden, then you're not a fan of the game and simply don’t have a heart.  Anything is possible.

So congratulations to Celtics fans everywhere.  I'm glad to stand corrected. 

Lady Bluegrass knows her hoops.  Heck, she’s from Kentucky.  It’s her birthright.

Let this be a lesson to us all.   Before you get into a debate with a woman, rest assured you’ll end up on the losing side of the argument.

2007-2008 was supposed to be different.  The National Basketball Association which in recent years has been characterized by Western Conference dominance (seven of the last nine titles reside in the West, as well as the last six MVP’s) was supposed to see a rise in Eastern competitiveness.

The New York Knicks after a promising first half last season appeared to have turned things around.  The Nets behind Jason Kidd, Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson were poised to contend for a title.  After winning the Atlantic Conference last year, the Toronto Raptors, behind Chris Bosh and TJ Ford, were to become an up-and-coming and consistent force in the league.  The Cleveland Cavaliers made the NBA Finals last year and many felt LeBron James had turned the page into becoming the best player in the game.  The upstart Chicago Bulls were expected to give the more veteran teams in the league quite a challenge.  And the Miami Heat, who only two seasons ago were hoisting the O’Brien Trophy, were to once again be led by their dynamic duo.

Currently, only one of the aforementioned teams is above .500.  Meet the new boss, the same as the old boss… the Western Conference.

There have been a few pleasant surprises in the East.  The Celtics Big Three look like potential NBA champions.  The Orlando Magic behind man-child Dwight Howard raced off to a hot start.  And the Detroit Pistons are still the Pistons.  But questions even lie within these rosters.  Will the Celtics add a veteran back-up point guard to provide support for young Rajon Rondo when it matters most… in June?  Does anyone expect Rondo to contend with the likes of Tony Parker, Steve Nash or Deron Williams, never mind Chauncey Billups?   Despite the hot start, the Magic have dropped seven of their last ten, are playing sub-.500 ball on their home floor and are allowing 100 points a game.  And although steady, does Detroit have enough in their tank for one more title run.

The remaining Eastern Conference teams have been nothing less than tremendously disappointing…

Toronto Raptors (15-14):  This team is waiting for someone to step up and become a third scorer.  Bosh and Ford are talents but the rest of their roster is devoid of consistent, clutch scoring.  Top draft pick Andrea Bargnani is averaging less than 10 points per game and is being outscored by teammate Jason Kapono.

New Jersey Nets (12-15):  Is it any wonder that we hear weekly rumblings about Jason Kidd’s trade demands?  For years, the Nets have failed to land an inside presence to help their backcourt.  Show me a team where the point guard leads the team in rebounds and I’ll show you a team destined to get bounced in the second round of the playoffs, if they make the post-season at all.  Can anyone even name the Nets starting power forward and center?  I didn’t think so.

New York Knicks (8-19):  On paper, the Knicks actually look like they could be a contender:  Jamal Crawford, Zach Randolph, Stephon Marbury, David Lee, Quentin Richardson.  Unfortunately for Knicks fans, Isiah Thomas is still their coach and James Dolan is still their owner.  With off-court problems casting a heavy shadow over the franchise, it’s unlikely the Knickerbockers will emerge and pose a serious threat in the Atlantic Division.

Cleveland Cavaliers (13-16):  Ultimately, LeBron’s decision to re-sign with Cleveland when his contract is up will make or break this franchise.  Their inability to surround him with top caliber talent might make his decision to bail easier.  The front court of Drew Gooden and Anderson Varejao is formidable, but they’re no Carlos Boozer.  Daniel Gibson is a spark, but the Larry Hughes experiment has been a total failure.  There’s only so much one man can do, even if he is the chosen one.

Chicago Bulls (9-16):  Chicago’s inability to get it together just cost Scott Skiles his job, but the Bulls’ fate may have been sealed when they signed Ben Wallace to a long-term contract.  I know Big Ben was acquired for his defense presence, but he may very well be the highest-paid player per point scored to ever play the game.  He’s making $15 mil this season and averaging fewer than five points per game.  You do the math.  Kobe trade rumors may have distracted the team, but at this point, Chicago should have pulled the trigger.  They couldn’t be playing much worse.

Miami Heat (8-20):  Hampered early by Dwayne Wade’s health problems and currently by Alonzo Mourning’s, the Heat look hard-pressed to make the playoffs.  Shaquille O’Neal is averaging career low numbers and looks considerably older than 35.  If anyone other than Pat Riley were coaching this team, he would have already been relieved of his duties.  Even Stan Van Gundy, who’s now having the last laugh in Orlando, didn’t lead the Heat to an 8-20 record.

There have been some pleasant surprises in the East.  The Atlanta Hawks are playing .500 ball and their young talent may be enough to bring this team into the post-season.  But winning a playoff series is beyond anyone’s legitimate expectations.  Indiana and Washington are mediocre at best.  And nobody expected Charlotte or Philadelphia to be any good this season… and they’re not.

Contrast that to the Western teams who most thought would be average.  The Lakers have shown renewed life and are playing among the best of the West.  The young Portland Trailblazers have now won 11 straight.  And there’s always the Jazz, Spurs, Suns, Nuggets and Mavericks.

Come June, we’re bound to hear even louder rumblings for Commissioner Stern to revise the league’s playoff structure, co-mingling the Eastern and Western teams in early rounds to weed out the lesser talent.  As least hoops junkies can take solace in the fact that the Eastern Conference Finals between Detroit and Boston will be a series worth watching and the winner should pose a legitimate threat to whichever team comes out of the West.  The rest of the Eastern teams might as well combine their rosters to form an All-Star team to contend with the top two.  After all, that’s what Pistons and Celtics management has done and it seems to be working fairly well for them.