A Footnote or the Beginning of the End

[Neurotic Guy]

The moment that the Cleveland Cavaliers chose Brad Dougherty with the first pick in the 1986 draft, no one could have known that this selection would set in motion the beginning of the end of the Bird era.  The Celtics were thrilled to have been left with an obvious choice at number 2 - the Maryland standout, Len Bias.  As the pages of history began to unravel, Bias' death, injuries to Walton, McHale and eventually Bird brought the once great team to its knees by the early 90's.  The end of Bird  marked the beginning of longest period of Celtics famine in their history -- a stretch the likes of which I wish never to experience again. 

Since the light of history shines so brightly upon championsip years, we sometimes forget that in the midst of the 80's there were moments of great disappointment (swept by Milwaukee in 1983; loss to the Lakers in he Finals in 1985), moments that could have been viewed by history as the start of the decline, but ultimately were relegated to footnotes as the team was able to maintain its powerhouse status through 1986 and an only mildly visible decline in 1987. 

How will history view yesterday's defeat? Is it to be a mere footnote in this new era of Celtic rebirth to greatness, or, will this post-season result be seen as the beginning of the end?  The answer will likely rest within the answers to 2 fundamental questions: Have KG/RA/PP begun to deteriorate?  Will Danny be able to improve the current roster (present and future value) in this off-season?

I am excited to still have a team that might be in the mix for another year or 2 -- and perhaps more -- depending upon progress made by younger players and moves to parlay current assets to improve the team.  I think the 'New 3' still have something left and if given a bit more time to rest during the season, and with a little luck in staying injury-free, we may be looking at another championshio run. It may turn out that the Game 7 loss to Orlando will historically be mentioned in small print -- as the game that ended the season in between championships 17 and 18. 

After less than one day of off-season, I am now as psyched for a new season as I have ever been.  Bring on 2009-2010, and let next season make yesterday into nothing but a footnote in Celtics history.