Much to be Thankful for in Boston

Did you know that a Boston team hasn't finished with a record below .500 since the 2006-07 Celtics? We're one of 13 cities across the country which have all four of the "Big 4" sports leagues, and let me say, none of those cities have had even close to the run of good fortune we've had here in the Bay State. It seems as though in every other city, there will be one championship contender, one solid playoff team, and one or two more laughing stocks.

Not here. Since the Celtics run of futility ended following their 24-58 campaign, no Boston team has finished with a worse winning percentage than .549, the 2010 Red Sox (89-73). Of a possible 14 playoff appearances, 12 have have been clinched by Boston teams (the 2008 Patriots and the 2010 Red Sox being the exceptions). If you want to get cynical, you can point the Patriots failure to complete the march to 19-0, or the Bruins blowing a 3-0 series lead to Philly, or the Celtics blowing a 13 point lead in Game 7 of the finals, but you know what? How many other cities have had teams even in those positions?

There's no doubt the sting of 18-1 hurts, the Bruins becoming just he 4th team ever to blow a 3-0 series lead is embarrassing, but year in, year out, all four of our teams are contenders. Of the 3 teams actively playing right now, can you definitively write off any of their chances to win a title this season? The Patriots lead the NFL in points and Tom Brady is an MVP candidate. The Bruins have allowed the fewest goals in the NHL and it looks like Milan Lucic is blossoming into a bona fide superstar. The Celtics have arguably the best point guard alive right now in Rajon Rondo, and Delonte West just broke his wrist so we won't have to worry about him screwing things up for a few weeks anyways. 

And even outside of Boston, it's great to watch some of our chief rivals falling apart. The Miami Heat are 8-7! If they were in the Western Conference, they wouldn't even be a playoff team if the season ended today. What should you do, LeBron? The Yankees are royally screwing up their negotiations with franchise icon Derek Jeter, to the point he could absolutely pull a Favre and play for one of the Yankees arch-rivals......The Colts are on the outside looking in of the playoff picture and have absolutely no running game to speak of.

If this is possible.....

.....So is this

I'm not saying we're winning the Super Bowl, Stanley Cup, AND NBA Finals. But if it does happen, will I be all that shocked? Absolutely not. Because even one of those would be a huge treat. Patriots are about to kick off here on Thanksgiving against the Lions, I'm thinking Pats 35-14. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.