I'll tell you this up front. I have never been more nervous for a sporting event that has no impact on my life in any way whatsoever. But I was stressing for a good 48 hours, between games 5 and 6. Heck, I couldn't concentrate on my bio study guides, and my fellow clanmates from Age of Empires III (with both expansion packs) were critiquing my particularly lackadaisical play. Just kidding, it was Civilization IV. But all my biggest fears regarding my beloved Celtics (injuries, lackluster defense, stagnant offense, etc.) went unfounded in this last game.
I love this game. I love the Celtics. They made sure to silence the critics for good. They made sure that all talks of a Bruins-esque reverse sweep would not rear its ugly head in this series, especially in front of a hyperactive Boston crowd that seemingly stood up and cheered like no other for 48 straight minutes, and would not let up until the Magic were pummeled into the ground.
A feeling of pure elation struck me as Wyc Grousbeck hoisted the Eastern Conference Championship trophy into the air. Sure, it's not the Larry O'Brien Trophy...yet. But that trophy represented all of the Goliaths that the Davids had sleighed so far. It represented all the doubt and negativity that the Celtics had to overcome. Alright, maybe I'm over dramatizing it a little bit, but the impact that the hoisting of the trophy had on me was big.
It would have taken nothing short of a present day Nostradamus to predict the insanity that is the 2010 NBA Playoffs. This team has made what many critics considered a seemingly impossible 180. From an unfocused, bored, tired, team in the regular season, we have risen from the ashes, and have metamorphosed into a hungry, focused, energetic squad with a common goal in mind.
All of a sudden, Pierce has fresh legs, and is the nimble captain that Boston fans have known and loved. KG's knees literally defied every law of medical science, and have healed beautfully. Kendrick Perkins, whose stellar defense on Dwight Howard will probably not be glorified much, certainly had the most difficult job on the court, and produced. Rasheed Wallace even has shown signs of a pulse (and then some) with his savvy defense, consistently vulgar trash talk, and sweet three point touch (wow didn't think I'd ever be typing that). The bench has come into its own, and is truly firing on all cylinders. Big Baby, Tony Allen, Sheed, and KryptoNate, have all produced in MAJOR ways for this team.
Of course, Rondo, the orchestrator, has truly had a fantastic Playoffs thus far. I feel that this play speaks for itself. It characterizes not just Rondo's fierce determination, but the playoff mentality of the Celtics as a whole:
Rondo made J Will, who should not be discredited for lackluster defense or lack of hustle, because he was technically running for the ball, look foolish. The recurring theme in these playoffs have been the Celtics simply outworking their opponents. Not backing down. Wanting it more. Remember how Big Baby, after receiving a titanic concussion from "Superman," still got up, slipped, fell down, then got back up again? That's what I'm talking about.
Now, Let's get to the fun stuff. I applaud anyone who has endured my little Celtics lovefest that I've blogged about so far.
Here's Jesus Shuttleworth, doin' it real businesslike against Dwight "Flagrant-Foul-After-The-Whistle" Howard:
Next up, we've got the Big Ticket. Who says he can't get up anymore?
And hey, the Celtics are a lovable bunch (despite Perkins smiling an estimated 2.7 times a year). Here's goofy Pierce just toying with Vince:
So the stage is now set. Every Celtics fan is chomping at the bit to take on the Lakers again, as evidenced by the chants of "BEAT LA! BEAT LA!" raining down from the Garden in the closing moments of Game 6. We're ready for the Lakers. Bring it.
Doc Rivers: "This starting 5 has never lost. This starting 5 has never lost a playoff series EVER." Here's hoping the trend continues.
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