Couldn't be PROUDER

[Smitty77]

I realize that many don't want to hear this right now, but I am immensely PROUD of this team.  If you had told me that our starting center would retire due to chronic injuries, that Jeff Green (who we traded Perk for) would NOT play a game due to a heart condition, that we would lose our back up center (who was just coming on strong) to the same heart condition, that our best on-ball defender would go out with shoulder surgery, that Pierce would be playing with a strained MCL (with virtually NO lift), and that Ray would be playing with bone spurs on his ankle and that we would come within ONE game of the NBA Finals, I would have called you delusional!!

This team showed more heart than perhaps ANY team in sports' history.

I hope that we realize what we have witnessed in this year's playoffs from this team.  Thank you so much for allowing me to be a fan of the team with the biggest HEART in the history of the NBA.  

Go Thunder!!!!

Smitty77

P.S. Hard to win a game when ONE guy shoots MORE FT attempts than the other ENTIRE TEAM!!!!

[Roy H.]

Nice post, Smitty.  This team definitely exceeded all realistic expectations, and should be applauded.

[manl_lui]

me too. I am very proud of these Celtics. Great memories.

[JoT]

I agree with you. They've exceeded my expectations so much this season.
I mean they went from looking old and slow. Wondering if they will be a lottery team to wondering if they will get past the first let alone the second round to taking the heat to 7 games in the ECF.
They did this all as the underdogs with an injured team except for about 5 guys.
I know they're mad and hurt but I hope they know the fans are proud of them.
I just wish they could have squeezed one more championship.

[Smitty77]

Thanks Roy!!  I forgot about the MOST important injury in my emotional post:  Bradley being out:-((

[gpap]

I realize that many don't want to hear this right now, but I am immensely PROUD of this team.  If you had told me that our starting center would retire due to chronic injuries, that Jeff Green (who we traded Perk for) would NOT play a game due to a heart condition, that we would lose our back up center (who was just coming on strong) to the same heart condition, that our best on-ball defender would go out with shoulder surgery, that Pierce would be playing with be playing with a strained MCL (with virtually NO lift), and that Ray would be playing with bone spurs on his ankle and that we would come within ONE game of the NBA Finals, I would have called you delusional!!

This team showed more heart than perhaps ANY team in sports' history.

I hope that we realize what we have witnessed in this year's playoffs from this team.  Thank you so much for allowing me to be a fan of the team with the biggest HEART in the history of the NBA.  

Go Thunder!!!!

Smitty77

P.S. Hard to win a game when ONE guy shoots MORE FT attempts than the other ENTIRE TEAM!!!!

Sorry but I could be. They blew it in Boston during game 6. It's over not just this year but for the next 3-4 years.

[LarBrd33]

I'm just going to quote myself.  Some people need to take this loss in context and have a little perspective.

Memo to everyone: Stop looking for someone to blame just so it will sooth your pain.  Keep in mind we had 4 players go down with season-ending injuries this year.  Keep in mind our starting center (nenad krstic) never returned from Europe.  Keep in mind that Ainge spent the entire offseason going hard after Chris Paul, temporarily believed we had David West signed on... and instead we were stuck with a stripped down, under sized, aging roster with deep flaws and a weak bench.  We were giving significant minutes to d-leaguers for god sakes.  Keep in mind that Paul Pierce was playing with a sprained MCL and Ray Allen was dealing with bone spurs in his ankles.  Keep in mind that the MVP of our team who carried us for much of these playoffs was a 36 year old PF playing out of position that many believed was already washed up until he started dominating defensively and averaging an improbable 20 and 10.  Keep in mind that we were the 4th seed heading into these playoffs (which was a small miracle in itself considering the ridiculous schedule we had to close out the season) and yet we made it to the ECF (in part, because we lucked out by avoiding Chicago).  Keep in mind that we were the underdogs in this series, MIami was favorited for a reason... and we stretched them all the way to 7 games.  Stop crying about the refs.  Stop crying about individual players disappointing you.  Stop crying about a blown opportunity in game 2... for all we know we would have lost the next three had we won game 2.  Just stop.  We overachieved.  It was an incredible run.  They silenced many critics.  The team should have nothing but pride for itself and you as fans should feel nothing but joy that they didn't get swept in the first round or miss the playoffs entirely (as I honestly believed we were destined for earlier this year).  This was never Boston's year.  I feel no different about this run than I do the improbable run our non-contender made in 2001 with Pierce and Walker.  It was a lot of fun making it to the ECF, but expectations had to be tempered.  

[Celtics18]

I'm extremely proud of this team and their run.  What an effort.  What a season.

TP to Smitty for this thread. 

[Bahku]

Agree completely ... TP.

[Charles7]

well