Direckshun
05-11-2009, 12:39 AM
After last night's game, I've spent some times simply going through much of this franchise's history on YouTube tonight, putting off much more important work to do so. It's worth it. It really, really is worth it.
I love this team so much, in part because I spent some time in New England growing up. But also in part because this is a franchise with astonishing continuity with the way it wins. Every Celtics team that's won championships have won it by being tougher than the other teams, playing better defense than the other teams, and hitting more clutch shots than the other teams.
Every really successful franchise has its trademark system. The Lakers have been really successful by compiling amazing offensive talent that can hit the fast break. The Patriots have ruthless efficiency. The Yankees have an endless pocketbook. The Lady Vols and Lady Huskees are simply dynasties that have the market cornered.
The Celtics are just heart, and you really saw that tonight as Big Baby drained a jump shot barely out of his range as time expired to beat a superior Magic team. I remember in a Garnett interview with Bill Russell, Russell told Garnett he'd have to bring his teammates with him, not force them. Garnett brings his teammates along, Kobe forces them along.
And as a result there's been an incredible comeraderie on that Celtics team that nobody in the league except the Cavs can match. That comeraderie, and that infectious enthusiasm of this team's stud, has infused the entire team to play its soul out and they have advanced as far as any team this year without the stud that got them there.
This is entirely consistent with the team's entire history of championship success. Auerbach stuck around with this team for decades ensuring that mentality never got lost. Bill Russell himself is in Garnett's ear from time to time. Ainge, a part of the classic 80s squads that took right after the championship 70s squads, shapes the team now. Doc Rivers and Garnett are as plugged into that mystique as anybody.
It's been a joy rooting for this team, it's been as rewarding as any team I've ever rooted for. I'd still take the Chiefs over them any day but I'm just happy I can root for them without reservation.
I love this team so much, in part because I spent some time in New England growing up. But also in part because this is a franchise with astonishing continuity with the way it wins. Every Celtics team that's won championships have won it by being tougher than the other teams, playing better defense than the other teams, and hitting more clutch shots than the other teams.
Every really successful franchise has its trademark system. The Lakers have been really successful by compiling amazing offensive talent that can hit the fast break. The Patriots have ruthless efficiency. The Yankees have an endless pocketbook. The Lady Vols and Lady Huskees are simply dynasties that have the market cornered.
The Celtics are just heart, and you really saw that tonight as Big Baby drained a jump shot barely out of his range as time expired to beat a superior Magic team. I remember in a Garnett interview with Bill Russell, Russell told Garnett he'd have to bring his teammates with him, not force them. Garnett brings his teammates along, Kobe forces them along.
And as a result there's been an incredible comeraderie on that Celtics team that nobody in the league except the Cavs can match. That comeraderie, and that infectious enthusiasm of this team's stud, has infused the entire team to play its soul out and they have advanced as far as any team this year without the stud that got them there.
This is entirely consistent with the team's entire history of championship success. Auerbach stuck around with this team for decades ensuring that mentality never got lost. Bill Russell himself is in Garnett's ear from time to time. Ainge, a part of the classic 80s squads that took right after the championship 70s squads, shapes the team now. Doc Rivers and Garnett are as plugged into that mystique as anybody.
It's been a joy rooting for this team, it's been as rewarding as any team I've ever rooted for. I'd still take the Chiefs over them any day but I'm just happy I can root for them without reservation.