The NBA Playoffs commence Saturday . For each first-round series, you know the major storylines. But do you know the interesting and irreverent sidebars to the players, coaches and teams? Naw! That's where we come in.
We're rolling out a "Fun Facts" for every first round series. We'll finish the Eastern Conference by the end of today, then tackle the West tomorrow. First up: (1) Celtics vs. (8) Hawks. Central storyline: Experience vs. youth, and the first step on the C's path back to the NBA's promised land, we'd imagine. But, oh, there's so much more.
(1) The A-Town Dancers for the Hawks currently number 17 women; you can see their profiles here . 17 seems a bit excessive, no? As a side note, we're pretty sure at least one of them was on the last season of Rock of Love.
(2) Because of his overly toothy smile, seldom-used Celtics guard Gabe Pruitt is often referred to as "Smilin' Gabe," which seems like a bad moniker for a used car salesman. He went to the same HS as Nia Long, though. That would make us smile.
(3) The Skyhawk mascot in ATL is pretty cool. He set a world record in late March by dunking a basketball while on rollerblades , even though he looked like somewhat of a buffoon doing it.
(4) Paul Pierce's nickname of "The Truth" was actually given to him by Shaq. In 2001, after the Lakers beat the Celtics in a regular season tilt, O'Neal told a reporter: "Take this down. My name is Shaquille O'Neal and Paul Pierce is the (expletive) truth. Quote me on that and don't take nothing out. I knew he could play, but I didn't know he could play like this. Paul Pierce is the truth." Is there a better nickname maker in history than Shaq?
(5) Mario West, a reserve guard on the Hawks, also had the option to play for the Harlem Globetrotters!
(6) Rajon Rondo is a big enough fan of Ruth Chris' Steak House (ballin!) that he eats there in every city. Not Cheesecake Factory? And what about when LZ Granderson had a good ol' fashioned New Orleans lunch with him ? What gives?
(7) Mike Bibby's brother-in-law? Eddie House. Oh, he plays for the Celtics. (Other main connection in this series: Rajon Rondo and Josh Smith were once the heart of a powerful Oak Hill Academy basketball team together. Oh, and while we're on the topic, we've got a Brandon Jennings video coming later today! Oak Hill!)