What does it take to reach legendary status?

[drza44]

Many times last year, comparisons were made between the 2007-08 Celtics and legendary teams/players of the past.  And for the most part, when that happened, the response was that the current crew didn't deserve to be mentioned with the legends yet.  When people started calling KG/Pierce/Allen the "Big 3", many felt that they shouldn't be referred to by the same name as Bird/Mchale/Parish until they at least won a title.  When ESPN tracked the Celtics' regular season record against the Bulls' 72-win mark, many felt it was ridiculous because the new Celts weren't proven on that level yet.  At different times last year, both KG and Pierce were compared favorably to Bird by different Boston media, and in both cases the general response was that they didn't deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Bird till they accomplished more.  And immediately after the Cs won the title, Bob Ryan was roundly criticized for saying that last season's Celtics were the 2nd-best Celtic team ever, behind the '86 squad but ahead of any of Russell's teams.

Now, last season is in the books.  The '07-08 Celtics had one of the most dominating regular seasons in NBA history, one of the better defenses in league history, and they capped that with a title.  KG was the first "official" DPoY in Celtics history (though the award should be named after Bill Russell) and finished top-3 in MVP voting again, while Pierce took home the Finals MVP.  This Celts' team has accomplished enough to be named "champion"...but probably not enough to yet be named "legend".

So my question today is, what level of accomplishment would this team have to reach for you, as a Celtic fan, to consider them worthy of mention with the elite of the past?  Is it possible, even if they repeat, for them to reach that exalted level this year?  Do they need to repeat and win another 60 games but dominate the post season this time?  Would it take a 3 or 4 year run?  Will you always cringe if someone tries to put KG/Pierce in a conversation with Bird/Mchale, no matter what they accomplish from here on?  If this team won 70 games and repeated as champ, would even that be enough to get them to 80s Celtic status?  Or is it even possible at all for them to reach the very highest level in your mind, no matter what they do? 

[ACF]

If they can repeat I think they're
definitely worthy of being mentioned
in the same breath as other great teams
of the past. We have to remember that
even Larry's Celtics didn't repeat back
in the glorious 80's. It just takes that
extra something to go back-to-back.
So, as far as I'm concerned, repeating
will bring these guys to legend status
in my little Celtic book and hopefully
in so many other people's books.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Other than being successful, a lot of media attention helps.

[TitleMaster]

A repeat won't do it because it'll be another N.O. choked or LeBron had a brain-dump type of media coverage.

What will need to happen is a 3 in 4 years type of run where they repeat in '09 but then in '11, it's Rondo who pulls off a Magic-like PG show where he sets up PP & KG for their send off into retirement and at the same time dominates both ends of the floor by himself.

[Sweet17]

I'd say three championships is the key nowadays. That will boost a team to legendary status in the history books. One more - and it's an "excellent team" but it takes three for legendary.

Pete