Is this true and if it is what do you guys think about it?

[TonyMontana]

Im not going to say anything until I read some of your posts. So whats your take on this?

Celtics Hang Another Banner From the Rafters, But It’s Blank!

http://thehoopdoctors.com/online2/2009/ ... its-blank/

The Celtics are so confident about the ‘09-’10 season that when you look up into the rafters, you will see 17 banners representing the team’s 17 NBA titles. But during Boston’s media day recently, everyone in attendance noticed a blank 18th banner hanging next to their ‘08 Championship banner. Apparently this Celtic’s squad is a very confident bunch that hope to be adding some letters and numbers to that banner reading “2010 NBA Champions.” When head coach Doc Rivers was asked about the blank banner, he replied,”It was Red Auerbach’s idea“, referring to the now deceased Boston coaching legend.

[SonicYouth34]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-0pXFk5C9c

[Cyclical]

It's a good motivational method. Before the '08 championship year they put a spotlight on an empty part of the wall where the rest of the banners were hanging - right next to banner #16. The spotlight was there for the entire year. Hey, it worked Maybe this one will as well.

[wetsthebed]

I don't like it. Feels like a jinx.

[AlCelticFan]

That's BALLSY.

[captain green]

I like it everybody looks up there and knows its war time..
Plus red used to do that but not because of what you think he used to get them cheaper by 2 so would just hang them as an extra motive. My dad said he had two blank ones up there one season.

[meatball sub]

This is pretty awesome. I love the confidence (and the quote by Doc).

[TheMartian]

The purpose was motivational and not arrogance. Boston articles point that out. Of course, fans of other teams will take this the wrong way.

[hairybyrd]

I like this "it's us against the world" mentality and if it was truly Red's idea I like it even more. Psychological warfare always worked to his teams' advantage. An empty banner will serve two purposes. It will be a conversation piece for fans and a nightly motivational tool for Rivers (which will lead to some combative albeit productive timeout speeches). All this talking about #18, I think, will yield good results.

That being said, if, say, the Lakers did this I would absolutely despise it. The only people who are capable of appreciating this are Celtics fans. In the words of Borat: Very Nice!!!

[sully00]

It is true but it is in the practice arena in Waltham not in the rafters of the Boston Garden it is a motivational thing.

But either way we ain't apologizing, what you don't have one? That sucks.

[AlCelticFan]

Ahhhhh... In the practice arena is another deal altogether. That I can see. I thought this was at the Garden. That would be a bit too much, I think.

[Hilltop]

Good for them

[canman1971]

Motivation. That constant reminder of not settling for anything less than the title. They are aware of the history of the Celtics and one just isn't good enough around here.

[BillessuR6]

Well, we had something similar for banner 17 and it worked...

Great motivation...

[Kefa461]

I just love it..........

[TheOGJabroni]

**** it, put it in the Garden! That would be ballsy to do, but if they feel they are the best, put it up there for everyone to see.

[DelMonte West]

Why is this a topic? We did the same exact thing in 2007. This kind of stuff may get people's panties in a knot on other boards, but who gives a crap? It's actually a motivational tool, which impies the OPPOSITE of cockiness. If we were that confident we wouldn't need any type of motivation, would we?

I seriously can't wait until we start talking about basketball on here.

[meatball sub]

Even though it is being used for motivational purposes, I think it shows a TON of confidence. When you go to the lengths of hanging a blank banner in the rafters of your practice facility, it means you expect that banner not be be blank at the end of the year. It's not confident-cocky, but it's confidence nonetheless. Teams that aren't expecting to win a title don't do this kind of thing. Hell, most teams that do expect to win the title don't do this, and it's probably because they don't want to look stupid if they don't follow through.

The Celtics don't give a damn, because they know they're going to deliver come June.

[greenbeans]

I love it.
I have it as my wallpaper so even I, just a fan, remain motivated for #18.

[celticfan42487]

I love it.
I have it as my wallpaper so even I, just a fan, remain motivated for #18.

LoL.

It's in the practice facility so I say... "that's nice".

Many teams speak everyday, and have different motivational measures.