Congrats & Thanks, Celtics!

[jimmehx]

You're the best Bahku. Reading that made me feel much more at ease.

We achieved a lot this season, didn't we. Too bad we couldn't close it out tonight. That would have just been incredible. Rollercoaster season.

Thanks for another great topic Bahku. Look forward to many more in the off-season and seasons to come. (TP)

[Bahku]

You're the best Bahku. Reading that made me feel much more at ease.

We achieved a lot this season, didn't we. Too bad we couldn't close it out tonight. That would have just been incredible. Rollercoaster season.

Thanks for another great topic Bahku. Look forward to many more in the off-season and seasons to come. (TP)

Back atcha ... but this loss took a lot more out of me, for some reason ... just really thought perseverence would triumph, but I think their inconsistency got the best of them at the wrong time. Ah, well ... it was still a longer and greater ride than most anyone expected. Thanks again to them and all of you! The Celts and CB are the best!

[ACF]

Good thoughts Bahku, you are a true fan. TP

[looseball]

I am so full of mixed emotions right now that it's hard to even think ... I'm disgusted with the fact that the Lakers had more than twice as many free-throws than us, I'm upset that we were out-rebounded again and gave our opponent way too may second and third chances, I'm baffled how we could hold our opponent to such a low shooting percentage and yet still lose ... this is really about as disappointed as I've ever been with the outcome of a game, and something that will take a while to get over ... seriously.

But far beyond all of that, I want to congratulate the Celtics ... they once again dug down deep throughout these playoffs and proved again and again that they could beat the odds, prove the doubters wrong, and overcome all the adversity thrown at them to win series after series, when they weren't given a prayer. Yes, they came up just short of their ultimate goal, but they did so with the fight and pride of true warriors, and they have nothing to hang their heads about.

Unfortunately, as is sometimes the case in life, the "good guys" don't always get the girl, and the best team doesn't always win ... tonight was one of those times, and that's what makes it so hard for me to swallow. I know in my heart who truly deserved this win, who worked the hardest, beat the biggest odds, persevered, and played the epitome of unselfish defense-oriented hoops ... but this was one of those rare instances where the good guys didn't win, and where the focus and "big picture" should not be on the prize itself, but on the journey that led to the spot where we came up nigh.

The regular season left a lot to be desired, and we were plagued by injuries, trades, new personnel, leadership issues, and the like, but we did what we had to do to make the playoffs, and then were finally healthy enough to flip the switch. All year long and throughout the post-season, this team dug deep and showed that they still possessed all the qualities and attributes that define Celtic pride ... they went on to surprise everyone in the playoffs, and not just win the first three series, but do so convincingly. Where everyone was just bashing them a few short weeks before, now all the chatter was how everyone had taken them for granted ... that they were far better than most had imagined.

Well, to a lot of us "Die-Hards" it was no surprise ... we knew this team still had what it takes to get the job done, and knew it was just a matter of health and timing that would decide how deep they would get into the post-season. Now, there were a ton of reasons why we lost tonight, and any ONE of those reasons, if just altered ever-so-slightly, would have given us the winning edge, but it didn't happen that way. For whatever reason, the final breeze blew in the direction of L.A., and the coin-flip came down on their side. And while it does nothing to ease the pain, on this night at least, the best team didn't win.

But I want to congratulate the Celtics for everything they did this year .... for overcoming the odds again and again, for digging down deep and finding the courage to carry on and persevere despite all the doubt, for defining and exemplifying what Celtic Pride means and represents, for never getting discouraged, for never losing sight of their ultimate goal, for taking the entire season one game at a time, for being unselfish and making the "team" the most important member, for not listening to the nay-sayers and doubters, but listening to their hearts and the spirit of Ubuntu, for not getting discouraged by poor officiating and unfair calls, and not using that as an excuse, for always taking responsibility when they played poorly and doing what they needed to correct their game when they did, for not letting ego get in the way of good communication and teamwork, and, when at their best, for playing basketball as good as I've ever seen it played.

Congratulations, Celtics, for another amazing season ... in my heart and the hearts of many, YOU are the Championship team, and I think even the Lakers know who the better team is, when it comes right down to it. You guys should hold your heads high, as us fans will ... I could be no more proud of you than I am right now, for always showing the heart and spirit of the champions you are, and for being the epitome of class, character, determination, discipline, tenacity, and unselfishness. Whatever happens from this point on, I wish you all the best and thank you for all the joy and excitement you've brought to my life.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart ... I dedicate this, (my 10,000th post), to you ... the TRUE champions!

I love the Celtics!




(I can't wait for next season!)

Amen.

[BringToughnessBack]

I am so full of mixed emotions right now that it's hard to even think ... I'm disgusted with the fact that the Lakers had more than twice as many free-throws than us, I'm upset that we were out-rebounded again and gave our opponent way too may second and third chances, I'm baffled how we could hold our opponent to such a low shooting percentage and yet still lose ... this is really about as disappointed as I've ever been with the outcome of a game, and something that will take a while to get over ... seriously.

But far beyond all of that, I want to congratulate the Celtics ... they once again dug down deep throughout these playoffs and proved again and again that they could beat the odds, prove the doubters wrong, and overcome all the adversity thrown at them to win series after series, when they weren't given a prayer. Yes, they came up just short of their ultimate goal, but they did so with the fight and pride of true warriors, and they have nothing to hang their heads about.

Unfortunately, as is sometimes the case in life, the "good guys" don't always get the girl, and the best team doesn't always win ... tonight was one of those times, and that's what makes it so hard for me to swallow. I know in my heart who truly deserved this win, who worked the hardest, beat the biggest odds, persevered, and played the epitome of unselfish defense-oriented hoops ... but this was one of those rare instances where the good guys didn't win, and where the focus and "big picture" should not be on the prize itself, but on the journey that led to the spot where we came up nigh.

The regular season left a lot to be desired, and we were plagued by injuries, trades, new personnel, leadership issues, and the like, but we did what we had to do to make the playoffs, and then were finally healthy enough to flip the switch. All year long and throughout the post-season, this team dug deep and showed that they still possessed all the qualities and attributes that define Celtic pride ... they went on to surprise everyone in the playoffs, and not just win the first three series, but do so convincingly. Where everyone was just bashing them a few short weeks before, now all the chatter was how everyone had taken them for granted ... that they were far better than most had imagined.

Well, to a lot of us "Die-Hards" it was no surprise ... we knew this team still had what it takes to get the job done, and knew it was just a matter of health and timing that would decide how deep they would get into the post-season. Now, there were a ton of reasons why we lost tonight, and any ONE of those reasons, if just altered ever-so-slightly, would have given us the winning edge, but it didn't happen that way. For whatever reason, the final breeze blew in the direction of L.A., and the coin-flip came down on their side. And while it does nothing to ease the pain, on this night at least, the best team didn't win.

But I want to congratulate the Celtics for everything they did this year .... for overcoming the odds again and again, for digging down deep and finding the courage to carry on and persevere despite all the doubt, for defining and exemplifying what Celtic Pride means and represents, for never getting discouraged, for never losing sight of their ultimate goal, for taking the entire season one game at a time, for being unselfish and making the "team" the most important member, for not listening to the nay-sayers and doubters, but listening to their hearts and the spirit of Ubuntu, for not getting discouraged by poor officiating and unfair calls, and not using that as an excuse, for always taking responsibility when they played poorly and doing what they needed to correct their game when they did, for not letting ego get in the way of good communication and teamwork, and, when at their best, for playing basketball as good as I've ever seen it played.

Congratulations, Celtics, for another amazing season ... in my heart and the hearts of many, YOU are the Championship team, and I think even the Lakers know who the better team is, when it comes right down to it. You guys should hold your heads high, as us fans will ... I could be no more proud of you than I am right now, for always showing the heart and spirit of the champions you are, and for being the epitome of class, character, determination, discipline, tenacity, and unselfishness. Whatever happens from this point on, I wish you all the best and thank you for all the joy and excitement you've brought to my life.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart ... I dedicate this, (my 10,000th post), to you ... the TRUE champions!

I love the Celtics!




(I can't wait for next season!)

Well said!! TP for You! and a Big Congrats on your 10K post- That is Hall of Fame Territory

[greg_kite]

You know, I have a real hard time reading topics like this. What part of this Celtics team do I want to congratulate really? The team who I stuck by for 82 games only to be disappointed in the end? Or the team I stuck by for another 4 grueling playoffs series only to be disappointed in the end?

A team that lets you down all season just isn't deserving of any congratulations in my opinion and if you think these guys are looking for cheers when they make their return to Boston, you are sadly mistaken. They've sullied this great Celtics tradition and while I applaud the hearts being in the right place, I can never bring myself to congratulate a team that has put the fans through what this team did only to walk away empty handed.

True champions find ways to will themselves to victory. That is an effort I find worthy of congratulations. Not this.

[dang] it, you're right. I cheered the Celtics in '09 when they lost to the magic because I thought they played hard without their best player. And the Celtics played pretty hard in these finals. But I can't just go out and congratulate a losing effort like this when Rondo and Ray played so abysmally. Can't do it

If I'm a Cavs or a Magic fan and I'm reading this I would be thinking "Jeez, Boston fans just can't appreciate anything!"

The C's overachieved and fought hard.  KG clearly isn't himself and they STILL took the Lakers to seven.  After watching him for the last 15 years do you really think the guy wasn't trying?  And Ray and Rondo too?  Hell, Kobe played like crap too but since they won he's the next Jordan.

[Yugocelt]

Thank you Boston Celtics.  I love all of you.

[twinbree]

TP! I don't know how you continue to craft such beautiful posts. May that fountain never run dry.

I can now look back to this season with fondness ( something I wasn't sure I would during the season) and look forward to the next.  Last season when we lost, I consoled myself by focusing on the promise of Rondo/Perk/Baby seeing how they stepped up in the playoffs without KG and telling myself this season would be better because of them.  And in the end it was because they stepped up again. They were great. And I expect them again to be better next season. KG too.

So I'm looking forward to next season. To some more Celtics basketball. To how big of a leap our young 3 will take take next season. To Mike and Tommy. Hoping for the Big 3 and Doc to be there in the support roles. Hoping Rondo makes the transition to bona fide unquestionable superstar next season because I think right now we sink or swim with him. Hoping we'll be there at the end next season holding the trophy this time. Hoping maybe the poor officiating of the finals can finally lead to some positive change. Hoping for a good offseason.

[Bahku]

TP! I don't know how you continue to craft such beautiful posts. May that fountain never run dry.

I can now look back to this season with fondness ( something I wasn't sure I would during the season) and look forward to the next.  Last season when we lost, I consoled myself by focusing on the promise of Rondo/Perk/Baby seeing how they stepped up in the playoffs without KG and telling myself this season would be better because of them.  And in the end it was because they stepped up again. They were great. And I expect them again to be better next season. KG too.

So I'm looking forward to next season. To some more Celtics basketball. To how big of a leap our young 3 will take take next season. To Mike and Tommy. Hoping for the Big 3 and Doc to be there in the support roles. Hoping Rondo makes the transition to bona fide unquestionable superstar next season because I think right now we sink or swim with him. Hoping we'll be there at the end next season holding the trophy this time. Hoping maybe the poor officiating of the finals can finally lead to some positive change. Hoping for a good offseason.

Well said, my friend! I'd say all-in-all, that being the ninth ranked team and to come within 4 (highly questionably officiated) points of the World Championship, we have a great deal to be thankful to this "aging" team for. To say they beat the odds is an understatement ... going 16 and 8 in the post-season against teams that were highly favored, is nothing to hang their heads about, especially with the overwhelming inbalance of calls against them. These guys are amazing, and anyone who doesn't appreciate what they did this year, just isn't looking closely enough. Whatever happens in the off-season, I am extremely proud of the ride they gave us this year ... it's such a shame they cam up so very short, against a team whose principles are slightly more questionable, IMHO.

[Bahku]

The amount of times this year that this team beat the odds, surprised the pundits, and proved the naysayers wrong, is enough proof for me to see that they not only have plenty of gas left in the tank, but are still the best team in the NBA.

It's extremely difficult to compete on a level playing surface and win consistently in this NBA, and the times the C's did so playing five-on-eight this season is just amazing ... unfortunately, the last such game had influences beyond even those normal inbalances at work in favor of the opponents.

The more I ponder everything that went down this year and how the Celtics nonetheless made it four points short of another championship, the more I admire, praise and love this incredible group of guys.

[jeezem]

who are you kidding, I'm still thrilled they won in '08 // how many years went past with not even a glimmer of hope - and you're not going to be happy and support your team after making it to game 7 of the finals as a 4 seed that nobody saw coming?

[Rashi]

Bakhu

I think it was game 4 or 5....but during one of those games...the commentators mentioned how Doc isn't the type of a guy who sees the glass as half full....but sees it as over flowing; and I want to apply that for you.

Honestly speaking since day 1 that I have started posting on this forum....your one of those very few people who was always positive of the team regardless how poorly they played or how embarrassing of a lost they faced. I always had full confident in this team, but seeing your confidence in them just made me more sure that we were gonna make loads of noise in the postseason; and you know what despite the way we lost...threads like these are very assuring that we are going to bounce back bigger and better next year.

I know we are going to be in for a crazy ride again....but I am sure with some tweaking and good management of the vets' playing time during the regular season will make us title contenders again.

Regardless how the FA goes (honestly with all the hype...if the big guys don't make some big moves....they will all be back to square one...making loads of money..but still not being able to win a ring)I still think that C's are the only once that can stop Lakers from 3-peating.


Tp for the great post !!