I love this Celtic trade. For once I am happy with a move Danny Ainge has made. Outside of Larry Bird, I have never enjoyed watching a basketball player as much as Ray Allen. For someone who rarely if ever watches an NBA game as a fan, I was all fired up last night when I heard the Celtics got my favorite Husky and favorite NBA baller.

I don't think I am going out on a limb when I say that Allen may be the best pure 3-point jump shooter of all time. There of course have been better players, but this guy is money from behind the arc.

Yes I am biased about Ray. We both entered UConn at the same time, I had a couple classes with him, and I never missed a home UConn game while he was in uniform. Even though Rip Hamilton and Emeka Okafor brought National Championships to Storrs, you'll never convince me that they were better players than Ray Allen.

Flash forward to the present and Ray Allen is a 7-time All-Star, he has 3-point shooting records, and he can only make the Celtics better. These Boston fans are already complaining that he is too old and he has never won anything. Have you seen the teams he's been on and the teammates he has had. He never had a chance in the Western Conference with Seattle and his top teammate in Milwaukee was Vin Baker.

Now he comes to the East and a very week Atlantic Division to play with Paul Pierce and Al Jefferson (as long as there aren't any more trades made). Pierce can now play as a forward instead of every position on the floor. I heard the argument that there won't be enough shots between Allen and Pierce. Has everyone forgotten when Antoine Walker was there the Celtics reached the Conference Finals and no one chucked more long balls than Walker. Allen will definitely take a lot of shots, but the difference is he will make them.

Allen is 32 now and I am sure he wants to win a championship to go along with his Hall of Fame career. I think he will cooperate with what needs to be done to win. I am not predicting anything crazy here, but the Celtics will not be the second to worst team in the NBA anymore. They are a playoff team right now and for the first time in what seems like decades, I will be excited to watch the Celtics opener in the upcoming season.

I love it. Ray Allen is a Celtic. My favorite team growing up in New Hampshire just got my favorite player. The Celtics finally matter again.

You can trash the trade. It seems everyone else is. Here are the critiques: Ray is on the back end of a great career. He is coming off of ankle surgery(s). He turns 32 in July. He and Paul Pierce can't share the ball. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I don't care.

Three is a magic number in basketball. And I am not just talking about the three-pointers Ray will launch in Boston. If you have three really good/great players, you have chance to win. In Pierce, Ray and 22 year old budding superstar Al Jefferson the Celtics now have that coveted trifecta. Who needs defense. This is the NBA we're talking about.

Will they win a title with this group? Probably not. But can they win the Eastern Conference? Maybe. In the West, the Celtics are still just another team. In the East, they can compete. And that's all I really ever wanted--at least at this low point in Celtics history.

My bottom line is this: The Celtics are relevant again. I will want to watch them. Are they the '86 Celtics? No way. I like Ray. But I'm not stupid. But they sure aren't the '06-'07 Celtics either.

The Celtics have only 5 players older than the age of 25. Ray makes them older and better. Jeff Green (former Georgetown star dealt in the Ray Allen deal) may turn into a superstar someday. But I will take Ray Allen and his 26.4 points per game right now. Now Ray, I have one question for you. Can you get me tickets?

Have a great weekend. I am playing in Dan Orlovsky's Charity Golf Tournament Friday. My thoughts on that when I get back to work Monday. And lastly, 3000 hits for Craig Biggio, 500 homers for Frank Thomas, make them hall of famers in my book. Biggio may not have dominated. But 3000 hits is 3000 hits.

My apologies to any of you I spent two seconds with this week at the Travelers in Cromwell. This week is crazy for me and leaves almost no time to chit chat. I wish it did. And I look forward to catching up with many of you around the state over the coming weeks.

What an event. Travelers stepped up big time. Better purse. Better amenities for players. Better field. Better crowd. And no better story than Jay Williamson.

I know. He didn't win. But we should all "lose" and make $648 grand. I just love this guy. He's a class act. Humble. Driven. And let's not forget talented.

You can have all the drive in the world. But to go from Trinity hockey/baseball star to the PGA Tour is amazing. I hope Jay comes back here someday and wins it.

As for Hunter Mahan, he seemed to choke a little on 16 and 17. But what a comeback on 18, not once, but twice! He deserves to be the first ever Traveler's Champ. Mahan won it. Williamson did not lose it. We can't say that every year.

Now it's time to go anchor the SSR and then go to bed. I am wiped.

Kevin

Phil Mickelson is out (of the Traveler's Championship) . Carl Pavano is in, with me. Lefty has a bad wrist. The Yankees righty has a bad elbow. But the pride of Southington replaces Mickelson, at least this week, as my "good guy" athlete of the week.

I met Carl Pavano Saturday night at Rentschler Field at the Fourth Annual Arthritis Foundation Randy Edsall Gridiron Gala. Carl could have been anywhere Saturday, but chose to help his old friend Scott Lebonte and a great cause. Carl could not have been any nicer.

Most of his injury problems have been out of his control. He was wearing a brace for his right elbow. Tommy John surgery will keep him out until 2009. But he will still be paid the 4 year 40 million jackpot deal he signed with the Yankees. When I told him I felt bad about the injury, he said not to feel sorry for him....that he was lucky. Yes, that is how he should feel. But how many athletes would have had that perspective?

Carl has been under the microscope in New York. And I'm sure, an evening out in Connecticut, made him feel that the world was no longer closing in on him. It was a reminder to me, that for all the money, all the fame and everything else in pro sports, guys like Carl Pavano are still in more ways than you think, just like you and me.

It's that approachable personality, plus a left handed swing that I can only dream of, that has always drawn me to Phil Mickelson. So, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed that he won't be playing in Cromwell this week. But I am not at all surprised.

You could see how much his wrist affected his game at the U.S. Open. Mickelson withdrawing today hurts the Traveler's Championship. Period. You can't spin it any other way. Phil Mickelson is that big a draw.

Fortunately, the field still includes Masters Champ Zach Johnson, Vijay Singh, Paddy Harrington, David Thoms, JJ Henry and more. So it will still be a great week.

My only hope is that I come away with the same good feelings about the PGA guys at the TPC at River Highlands this week as I did about Carl Pavano. A bad stint with the Yankees doesn't make Carl Pavano a bad guy.

With Father's Day coming up this weekend, I just wanted to wish all the fathers out there a Happy Father's Day. I also want to reflect a little on my father, Don Laviano, or as I like to call him...Dad.

I owe so much to my Dad. He and my mother gave me and my siblings a great childhood; filled with fun, love, and life lessons. I owe them both so much. I could never repay them for working their tails off to send me, my brother, and sister to college. I wouldn't be where I am today without that gift.

Some of the best memories I have with my Dad revolve around baseball. One that I will never forget is the first Major League baseball game he took me and my brother Jared to see. It was 1985, and when we woke up on a Saturday morning he told us to get in the car because we were going to Yankee Stadium! I threw on my Yankee hat and grabbed my glove. The Yankee won 8-4 that day and I saw my two favorite players play (Dave Righetti got the save and Don Mattingly hit a homer), but what I remember even more was my Dad doing little things to make it more enjoyable for Jared and I.

He took us to the Bronx early and brought us over to where the players walked in. We tried a couple times to get some autographs, but were unsuccessful. Then Yankee great Ron Guidry came walking in. My Dad pushed the barrier aside for us to squeeze through and we got right up front and met Louisiana Lightning. I still have the old mesh hat with his faded autograph on the bill.

Then we went inside. As a 10-year-old, I couldn't believe how big the Stadium was. We got in early enough to watch the Bombers take batting practice. Dad smooth-talked one of the ushers to get us down to the backstop to get a closer look. Yankee third baseman, and another favorite of mine, Mike Pagliarulo was hitting off the batting tee. Dad wanted us to see how the Big Leaguers got ready for the game. (I am pretty sure that Jared and I used our own batting tee more regularly after watching Pags hit). We were in awe, and then the coolest thing happened, Pags actually talked to us. For a fifth grader, it doesn't get any better than talking to a Major Leaguer (who am I kidding, it is still a thrill!)

Finally, the game was about to start and we headed to our seats. I think we had upper deck tickets but Dad told us to play cool and we were going to sit down below behind the catcher. I don't remember if anyone bothered us, but I do know we never went to our real seats and we had the best time.

Now I am a father to a wonderful little girl named Marisa. I look forward to taking her to her first baseball game (or any other event she would like). Everything I know about fatherhood, I learned from my Dad. He is the kindest and nicest man you will ever know. He loves nothing more than his family, and I see it every time he smiles when Marisa calls out "Poppa!" and gives him a hug. I hope someday I can be as successful as a father as he has been to us.

So on this Sunday, I am looking forward to grillin' for and chillin' with my Dad.

Happy Father's Dad...Thanks for everything. I love you.

School is out Friday, at least for my kids. And soon those report cards will arrive home. But I thought I'd give some grades (with comments) out tonight:

Course: NBC 30 Sportscasting 101
Students: Jim Calhoun and Howie Dickenman
Grade: B+

Despite lacking experience, both coaches showed great enthusiasm. Coach Calhoun made national news calling the end of the UConn/TN series "ridiculous." Why not an A? They're coaches and I need a job.
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Course: Math and Physics
Student: Tigers ace Justin Verlander
Grade: A+

What does a 99 mile per hour fastball equal? A no-hitter.
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Course: History of 1978 A.L East Race
Students: Red Sox Fans
Grade: D (so far, almost at mid-term)

Stop worrying about a blown 14 game lead in 1978. The Red Sox are better than the Yankees this year. Period.
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Course: Rivalries in Sports
Student: Pat Summitt
Grade: F

Caoch, you forget to read the chapter on UConn/Tennessee. Remember, you are not the book, just a part of it.
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Course: Humility and Ethics in Sports
Student: Tim Duncan
Grade: A

The Spurs Center is the Pete Sampras of his sports: dominant, but always humble and soft-spoken about his success
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Course: Aging and the Body
Student: Roger Clemens
Grade: incomplete

We think he's turning 45 in August, right? But if he pitches for the Yankees like he did for the Astros the last three years I might start calling him El Duque or Danny Almonte. How old is the Rocket? But there is a loooooong way to go.
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Course: How to Make the Jay Leno Show
Student: Kevin Nathan
Grade: F

Yes, I made the Jay Leno show by way of a typo (It should have read that I worked in West Virginia, not West Va......&**$% at a recent banquet that I attended). So why the failing grade if I made it on national tv through no fault of my own? You don't know my college friends. When this starts circulating I will want to go back to West Virginia and crawl under a rock. That's an
"F" for fleeing from the hype.

Have a great day!

Kevin

Tennessee, you should be ashamed of yourselves. How could you possibly put an end to the greatest rivalry in women's athletics?

Yesterday, Tennessee said no thanks to continuing the annual rivalry game between the Huskies and the Lady Vols. UConn signed a contract for 2 years but Tennessee did not want to sign it, thus ending the heated and always anticipated game between the two schools. Tennessee would not comment on why they didn't want to continue the series.

Ok, I get Tennessee. You have the all-time winner in Pat Summitt, you won another National Title this year, and you never have a problem with recruiting. You probably think you don't need the UConn game, and you know what, maybe you don't, but the fans sure do. This can only hurt the sport which has grown so quickly over the last 15 years or so. Did you not like playing against Geno Auriemma? Do you not like traveling to Hartford every other year? Do you not like the passionate UConn fans? What could possibly be your reason? If anything, UConn should be the one backing away because they have lost the last three meetings.

Well, I am sure it has to do with money or some petty clause that the two sides couldn't agree upon. Yesterday, men's head coach Jim Calhoun was our guest sportscaster and he thought it was a bad decision too.

I guess everyone will be looking for another big game to promote during the women's schedule. UConn and Rutgers is a nice rivalry and Tennessee and LSU is pretty good, but they don't have the same marquee feel that UConn and Tennessee do together. I just hope that this truly isn't the end, and that the two teams will meet up again down the road.

As an aside, I would like to thank Coach Calhoun and CCSU Coach Howie Dickenman for being good sports as our guest sportscasters. I had a lot of fun working with and preparing with them. I got to know Coach Dickenman a little better because he came into the studio. What a class act and you can tell he still loves his team from this year because his eyes were glowing when he told me stories about them. Coaches, you did a great job...now when will you reciprocate and let me take a shot on the bench with you!

He barely pronounces his "r's." He's long past the prime years of a sportscaster. His hair is gray. He speaks too fast. And he's biased about UConn. But he's every News Director's dream.

Jim Calhoun makes his NBC 30 sportscasting debut Friday night at 6:00. And then at 11:00, we'll turn the sports anchor chair over to Central Coach Howie Dickenman. It should be a real treat.

I am a huge fan of both men on and off the court. Both guys are well known for their coaching passion, but it's the compassion they've shown towards others over the years that makes them extra special people to me.

Coach Calhoun never sees a cause he's not willing to conquer. We want and encourage Coach to spend much of his time Friday night at 6:00 promoting his Jim Calhoun Cancer Challenge Ride that takes place the next morning in Simsbury. Not that I'm telling you Coach what to put in "your" sportscast.

By the way, Coach tells me he plans to ride 50 miles Saturday. In fact, he pedalled 48 miles this morning. If I had reached Oxford, Ma this morning like Coach did, 24 miles from home, I would have been calling my wife for a ride back. Not Coach. He returned on his bike. That's why he's a hall of famer. Persistence.

Just remember that passion, Coach. two minutes into the sportscast Friday, you'll have no choice but to keep pedalling. There is no one that you can call for help. But I'm not worried. As every official in the Big East can attest, you've never been at a loss for words. And Gerry promises not to "t" you up.

Coach Dickenman may have the harder task navigating his way through all of the highlights that make up an 11:00 sportscast. But Coach, you will have Don Laviano as your producer---the best in the state. Think of Don as your Javier Mojica (Central's All-World guard this past season)...an overachiever, a go to guy, who you can trust to make you look good at the end of the night.

Of course, I'll help too. I'll leave my makeup out for you. Not that you need it. I have a feeling viewers will remember your voice more than your skin tone.

So have fun Friday night, guys. After all, there are no winners and losers--at least not until the ratings come out. And if they spike too high, I could be watching one of you in my anchor seat next season instead of on the bench. Check that. We can't pay you enough. And whoever broadcasts the sports at NBC 30 needs something to talk about every night. So just keep winning championships and supporting worthy causes. We'll all be watching Friday night.

This weekend is the biggest weekend for high school baseball and softball players. Four state champions will be crowned in each sport as the student athletes play out their dreams at Yale Field and DeLuca Field (in Stratford).

I just fairly recently finished reading a book about this time of year. The book is "The Fat Lady Never Sings" by Seymour's Steven Reilly. If you are a fan of baseball and especially from the Naugatuck Valley area, I would highly recommend this memoir of the 1992 Derby Red Raiders baseball team.

To sum up this redemption story, it is about three seniors on the football team who break an over 20 year streak of having a winning record at Derby on the gridiron and then find their championship on the baseball field. If you are familiar with Valley sports or Connecticut high school athletics in general, you know that Derby is a huge football town and breaking this streak really hurt all those involved.

Reilly gives a first-hand account of the 1992 season and Derby seasons in the past. He was an assistant coach for the Red Raiders (and he has actually recently returned to Derby in this role) and he gives great insight to the discussions that coaches have during the game action, on bus rides, and in the privacy of their homes waiting for the next ballgame. You can absolutely tell that Reilly is not only a fan of the game, but also a great teacher. He gives even the novice baseball fan explanations why certain plays are called. As a reader you can also visualize him instructing and inspiring the Derby players.

The strength of the book is the characters, and real life characters they are. Names like Romo, D, Tules, Ray Ray, and Jocko become second nature to the reader and you feel like you are in the dugout and locker room with them lacing up your spikes getting ready for the first pitch. One example is, assistant coach Jacques "Jocko" Veillette talks in Yogi Berra-isms. One time when the team was making mental mistakes he said (and I cleaned it up a bit), "Get your butts out of your butts!"

What I enjoyed most was coming across numerous people that I have come across as a native of Ansonia, which of course is Derby's biggest rival. Derby's star quarterback and pitcher was Ben Bartone. If you grew up in the Valley, you knew that name. In Babe Ruth baseball, the Derby and Ansonia leagues were combined, so we got to face Bartone a few times a year. It was always a big game because he threw smoke and beating him was a real success. Years later we were teammates in an adult baseball league with another member of the 1992 team, Pete Chrzanowski. Pete played outfield at Derby and was their lead-off hitter. When I played ball with Pete, he was my catcher. I never threw to a better battery-mate in all my years playing. Whatever pitch he called, I threw. I never questioned him and I don't think I ever shook off a sign. He saved me more times than I can count with his arm, plate blocking, and pitch framing skills. He is depicted absolutely accurately in the book. He loves baseball more than any other teammate I have ever come across.

I was actually at the 1992 championship game at Palmer Field. I remember being jealous of Derby because my Ansonia team had lost in the quarterfinals that year. It was interesting to relive the game through the eyes of the coaches and compare it to my memories as a spectator.

I am sure there are stories from "The Fat Lady Never Sings" that are similar in small towns all across the country, but take it from a fellow member of the Valley, we are passionate about sports and we love winners, and Reilly hit this one out of Derby's Ryan Field.

Finally, good luck to all the baseball and softball teams playing for titles this Friday and Saturday. I am just disappointed the Ansonia Chargers fell short this year.

Billy Donovan changed his mind. He realized he can live on 3.5 million dollars a year as the Head Basketball Coach at Florida instead of 5.5 million with the Orlando Magic. Good for you Coach and good luck getting out of the deal and back to Gatorland.

Coaches travel more than washed up 70's rock bands. Wherever the highest bidder resides, some coach with fire in his belly and dollar signs in his eyes is ready to pack his or her bags.

I am not against people being well compensated. In fact, knowing the sacrifices that coaches make (spending countless hours away from family) they deserve whatever the market can bear. But what can a family bear? How many moves leave the coach and his family as messed up as that 70's rock group?

Coaches love to talk about their "football family" or "basketball family" but what about their "real" family. I have always admired Jim Calhoun and Geno Auriemma for this. They have their basketball families which mean a great deal. But nothing has ever come before their family's at home. How many times have they been tempted to leave? How many offers have they turned down? How many times did they go to sleep thinking the next day might be their last at UConn?

But at some point in those times of decision they've counted their blessings, not dollar signs. How much money does one need? How green ($$$) does your grass or contract have to be?

I applaud Billy Donovan wanting out...now. He could have waited or is that wasted a few years in the NBA and woken up one morning realizing he missed something precious in one of his kids lives.

Clearly to me, he is making a quality of life decision. And clearly to me, it's the right decision.

If he has any doubts he can call his old coach Rick Pitino, Jim Calhoun or Geno Auriemma. They could list millions of reasons that college coaching is better. Do you need any more than that?