The quest for glory found in three Super Bowls, two World Series, and one NBA Championship has not come without its agony – last night’s Game 7 defeat ranks in the echelon of the 2003 Red Sox extra inning loss to the New York Yankees, or the 2008 Pats Super Bowl/undefeated season loss to the New York Football Giants. Like the other Boston loses, the Celtics played with pure heart leaving everything they had on the court; a few plays one way or the other, much like 2007/2008 Red Sox and Patriots, made the difference between another trophy for the city of Boston and a heart breaking defeat. Now living outside of Boston I may purchase all four sports packages on Direc TV per year for each major sport, but the level of emotional attachment to this Celtics team can only be compared to by that ’07 Red Sox squad. There is a difference between having a love for your team and becoming attached to a specific, charismatic set of players who mold together to form something special. That is what this team is. And that is why last night’s loss, within two baskets of a second title in two years, huts so much.
With the window potentially closing on the Big Three era in Boston, I can’t help but feel incredibly down that it did not end on a high note. One title in three years is still an enormous success, but two would have given Pierce, Garnett, and Allen the immortalization in Boston folklore they so deserve. I spent hours trying to get to sleep last night and even more hours trying to fall back asleep after waking up in the middle of the night. The anxiety over what could have been, and the sadness of what may be ending, will interrupt my sleep pattern for weeks. Surprisingly, I am okay with this. While I am quite sure another sporting event can never get me as down as last night’s loss did, I am also not quite ready to let go of that pain. While it’s nagging and weighing on me, I can’t help but bask in it. The fact that a team of men that I have never met personally (besides being plowed over and apologized to by Rondo at a Wizards-Celtics game – but that’s another story for another time) can have such a profound impact on my emotions is remarkable. I am only twenty six years old but this feels like a once in a lifetime team to me. The charisma and character of the players on and off the court, the relationships they’ve forged, the respect for the game, the Celtics uniform, and the city of Boston is overpowering.
The 2007 Red Sox lost in Game 7 to the Yankees and I felt pain for the fans. When the Patriots lost the 2008 Super Bowl and perfect season I was more distressed with the history books (the fans had gotten theirs and then some). But when the 2010 Celtics lost a battle in Game 7, I felt bad not just for the fans, the city, and the franchise, but also for the players. While the hurt from last night is still there, it feels good to sit back and put into perspective what this team has done and who they are. For that I thank these Boston Celtics, a team that has demonstrated true Celtic pride over the past three years.
Topic: Hurts So Good - My take on last night and the Boston Celtics ('07-'10) (Read 878 times)