Thanks

[Youth4Glory]

Watching these last few regular season games is really giving me that playoff itch. I'm jonesing hard for some intense postseason action, regardless of our matchup (indifferent on seeding). On another note before all that drama begins, I wanted to talk about how blessed or fated or whatever you want to call it this team was in the last year.

Having started watching the celt's on TSN in the post-Bird/Sherm Douglas era; last year's title run was a truly triumphant moment in my short quarter century of life. Watching Larry vs. Magic on ESPN today got me googling; I was baffled to see the Celtics had won something like 16 titles in 30 years(1956-86). I know the eras and the history, but it finally registered how crazy and rich all of this (our legacy, lakers rivalry, fanatical blogging, messageboarding, hours of game watching, collecting, clothing, thousands on tickets, etc.) really is, and I love it. What a powerful legacy this team has. Its funny how these nagging injuries and end of season moral victories are kind of putting into perspective how awesome last year's title was as a part of the whole, especially after such a drought.

Any given year, so many things have to go right to win a title. Beginning with the talks of newly acquired Ray Ray being washed up coming off ankle surgery all the way upto the media's laker bias in the finals; the odds stacked against this team were massive. Somehow we persevered and to top it off we trounced the Lakers!!!! That is so perfect and one of my fondest moments in life so far.

Now before we keep moaning and groaning about Mikki & Starbury not being good enough, or whining about when Tony or Leon will be back, lets just be thankful. These things are all part of a long nba season, and in the grand scheme of things this team is looking just fine going into the playoffs. It could be a lot worse. Let's enjoy this calm before the storm and savor the flavor of the championship kool aid, hydrating for battle.

Thank you to Danny for believing in Rondo and having the foresight to sign Perk cheaply. Thank you to Wyc & Ownership for shelling out the money to get the trophy back to Boston. Thank you to Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Tom Heinsohn, Cedric Maxwell & John Havlicek for being such prominent, supportive alumni of this team. Thank you to Red for setting the precedent. Thanks to all the players for their dedication to ubuntu. Thanks to Paul for riding out the storm. Thank you to Doc for his poise. Thank you to all the fans that rocked the Garden every night throughout the playoffs, including my own experience at game one of the finals. I have never felt energy anything like that.

This team could have easily turned into the Rockets of the east, plagued by injuries and lacking chemistry. We could have easily had an Elton Brand situation and lost a year of one of our stars. We could have easily come out on the other side of the finals or even the cavs or hawks series, but we didn't. The chemistry on this team is unbelievable, and all of our stars had to eat a slice of humble pie, something not often seen these days.

No matter what happens this year, we are in good hands. Its about to get serious here. Now let's go get this 18th ring!!

[BRUNiNHO91]

Thanks..I guess....

Good post...deep stuff..I actually read the whole thing..mhm...haha...

[bruno sundov]

This might be a first since I started posting here, a long ranting post that totally positive. WOW! I didn't even know that was possible.

As far as the history goes the celtics are the greatest franchise in all of sports. Better than the canadiens, Yankees and steelers. That is the conclusion of the history lesson.

[GWVan]

Good thread - thank you for the positive outlook, it's refreshing