Welcome Back

Now all of the fair weather Celtics fans will come back to root this team on as they see that the playoffs is a different animal. I don't understand why everyone abandoned ship just because of a 50 win season and a fourth seed. It was easy to see that this team would come alive in the postseason despite all of the shots taken at them: "too old" "too slow" "they suck". These are some of the many things I heard from all places on the Internet and in real life. I knew that this team just needed to work out the inner chemistry issues, get a little bit healthier, and rally together in the postseason. I will say that they should not have laid down so easy at the end of the season as they abandoned any attempt at the three spot in the Eastern Conference. Yet I understand why they thought it was okay to coast to the end of the season.

This is a team of prideful playoff tested veterans (Finley, Garnett, R. Allen, Pierce, Wallace) up and coming stars (Rondo, Davis, Perkins) and plenty of young talent (Robinson, T. Allen, Daniels). A perfect mix of players creating a team as deep as any in the NBA, but in my mind depth and talent were never the questions surrounding this team. The question is can talent on paper translate to a desire to win and a commitment to selfless basketball. Team defense, ball movement, and a true team effort were what won it all in 2007. As Paul Pierce said "when we are healthy we are the most talented team in league". This is why they laid down at the end of the year, because despite what the entire sports world tells them, the Celtics are not afraid of Cleveland.

Now it is time for Pierce and the Boston Celtics to show us what this team is truly made of. This is only the first round of the playoffs against a weak opponent, and to win at the next level against the Cavaliers the C's will need everyone from Shelden Williams to Rajon Rondo to play at a high level.

Celtics In 5

So glad the postseason is here because I am beyond sick and tired of hearing people say that the Celtics are too old. That is just something people say because it is easy and because they don't understand this team. It is team chemistry issues with all the moving parts and the lack of established rhythm with injuries.  This team has not found itself and has not gelled all season long, aside from the impressive start to the season. Finally people can stop talking about the Celtics being too old and start talking about how they are going to stomp out Miami in five games.

Title Run

The regular season has finally come to it's bitter end for the Boston Celtics who limped to the finish line. Interesting how a 50 win season is considered a poor output for an NBA team, but the beauty of the postseason is a fresh start. I honestly consider this regular season a successful one for the Celtics who battled injuries and had to incorporate a whole host of new members to the team. Yet for this season to be a true success this team must reach the Conference Finals or The Finals. That is a measure of success to me the fan, but not for the team. Success can only be achieved in the heart's of the big three and Danny Ainge by hoisting an eighteenth championship banner.

This franchise was mired in defeat and devastated by the death of Celtic patriarch Red Auerbach when General Manager Danny Ainge took matters into his own hands. Sensing the desperation Ainge made an all or nothing move (before Paul Pierce would be forced into demanding a trade). Enter the new big three and enter championship number seventeen in Boston.

I respect Ainge as GM because of his confidence, desire to win, and most of all a sense of urgency. Danny has no qualms about doing whatever it takes to improve his team and knows he is in control of the best franchise in NBA history. Yet since the flashy acquisition of Ray Allen, KG and banner 17 the Celtics have failed to make it out of the playoff semi-finals. Ainge added Marbury and Moore last season to bolster the team, but with KG being out for the postseason, the C's fell one game short of the conference finals. This season Ainge added Nate Robinson, Michael Finley, Marquis Daniels, Rasheed Wallace, and Shelden Williams to the roster. The playoff result is obviously unknown as of this time, but we will soon see if Ainge's willingness and commitment to adding new personnel pays off. Was the 2007 championship season a fluke of luck, or does Ainge have the  keen sense for talent and team composition (I've credited him for).

This past summer the Big Three and Doc Rivers personally went to the home of Rasheed Wallace to persuade him to join the Celtics. This action was taken to make another run at the NBA Finals with the big three's championship window closing fast. Was this a desperate move? Perhaps it was a desperation move when Danny traded away most of his young players for what would become a championship team. Perhaps it was a move of desperation to go out and lure Wallace to Boston, but if they win it all desperation will be forgotten. If they don't win the NBA Finals, all eyes will be on these four men...Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Rasheed Wallace.