Playing and Rooting with Pride and Composure

[CeltsGM21]

I said this last night, and I'm sure that people have probably relaxed a bit this morning from last night, but I wanted to share these thoughts again, because I think some pride and composure (just like Doc has been telling his players about) are very important for us fans to show this weekend.  I'm not calling anyone specific out, but it seems that there is so much negativity on this board after a loss.  To me, coming on this board after a loss is like listening to sad music after breaking up with a girl, or songs that remind you of her.  You think it might make you feel better and calmer, but it doesn't.  It just makes you angrier, or more sad, or whatever.  I know people care about this team so much, but sometimes I feel it goes over the top on this board, calling for the heads of certain players and the coach.

I'm a huge huge Celtics fan, but I don't live in Boston, nor have I ever, so maybe I can't relate, but I can never understand why fingers always need to be pointed.  I'm as frustrated as much as anyone, but I love these guys, including Doc, so much, that I could never point the finger at them.  I know that Boston fans have perhaps more passion in their sports than any other American city, but the way some fans try to tear down the players and coaching just doesn't seem fair.  I realize that everything is in the heat of the moment, but I think we forget sometimes that it is an honor and a privilege to be watching this amazing team play.  They don't just have hearts of champions, they are champions, and how soon we forget how much we praised everyone all summer.  I know that winning and losing changes everything, but is there any way that people can just appreciate this for everything that it is and stands for?  Or does too much passion get in the way of that?  Either way, I'm proud to be a Celtics fan, my favorite team ever, and in my own heart, I could never be that angry with any one of the coaches or players. 

But that's just me.  Anyway, I guess I feel calmer after writing that.  I can be negative too, but I have learned that nothing is gained by it.  It only helps to be positive, to stop listening to those sad songs over and over, and to move on.  I'm moving on from last night, from what felt like an awful, sad, heartbreaking, gut wrenching break up.  But we are still alive and still have Game 7 at home.  Who knows if this is our year, but I do know that this team has shown me so much this year, and I am proud of them regardless.  I honestly feel that they are playing with more heart this year than last, and I hope they keep going because it is a joy to watch them this year.

[Roy Hobbs]

TP for a well thought out post that clearly conveyed your feelings.

However, I disagree.  I don't like purely irrational negativity or hate towards our players.  On the other hand, I think directed criticism is okay.  Part of being a fan for a lot of people is pointing out what the team could / should be better, second guessing the coaches, GM, or players, etc. 

Let's say you see a truly horrific coaching decision.  Is it disloyal for a fan to mention that?  Should they ignore bad decisions or sloppy play simply because they bleed green?

I don't think so, personally.  I think one of the reasons why we have a blog and forums is so that fans can cheer during the good times, and lament the bad ones.  Only a small minority of people seem to have an overly bitter agenda, in my opinion.  Mostly, people just want to be heard, and them critiquing the team is their way of feeling part of the Celtics experience.

[CeltsGM21]

TP right back at you Roy.  I agree with you that this is meant to be a forum for expressing our feelings, and I know that so much of what is said is in the heat of the moment.  I also know that people who call for the heads of Doc and the players go and support them full-heartedly for the next game.  I feel that it is fine to call out bonehead calls, plays, and coaching, but I guess I get most frustrated when people automatically go for the "Fire Doc" and the "Trade Pierce" threads right after the game, sometimes when the game isn't even over yet.  So, while I completely agree that this is a forum that reflects the roller coaster play and emotions of the game, and while I know that there are only a few people posting, as you said with a "bitter agenda," sometimes I think the overall negativity gets disrespectful.  I can understand most of it, I guess I can't always support it. 

[Thruthelookingglass]

I think we all take each other's consternation and frustration with a grain of salt.  Otherwise, except for fans of other teams who visit, we all love the Celtics and support the Celtics, coaches included.* 

We overanalyze, vent, and the like, and I wish there were a little bit more of a positive vibe too, but the bitterest comments often come from some of the most loyal fans.  If you doubt it, see who is on the game threads night after night.


*  Actually, many people are on CelticsBlog simply because they love Jeff Clark. 

[CeltsGM21]

Haha, I love Jeff Clark too.  Maybe I should have started a "Support Jeff Clark" thread instead.

I'm sure that some of the harshest comments come from the most loyal fans.  I'm well aware of that.  I guess I was just trying to vent too: vent against the venters.  I guess I just need to do a better job of ignoring the negativity, or as you said, "Take it with a grain of salt."

No matter, Go Celts!  Can't wait for Game 7.  What other drama and amazing plays can we expect from the final game of the series?!  Perhaps we haven't seen anything yet.  Although, I don't know if my body and mind can take another game like that.  Let's just blow them out like we did in the first round series last year, even though a small part of me still craves the drama.

[ACF]

You get a Tommy Point for
this thread. I like the
positivity you're showing
in here. Keep it up.

[CeltsGM21]

You get a Tommy Point for
this thread. I like the
positivity you're showing
in here. Keep it up.

Thanks.  I'm trying.  I just can't wait for tomorrow night, Game 7 in the Garden!  I'm so excited to see what is in store for us as fans.  I really think, after all is said and done, that this is our series, and just like last year, it is making us stronger for future games.  The Cavs have had it too easy.  I hope we can make it to the ECF and show them what a team with heart really looks like!

[Redz]

Here here!

Excellent post...I agree wholeheartedly

And I'd that the negativity DURING the game bugs me worse than the after the fact stuff.

[ma11l]

Well written post.  I think if they lose tomorrow there should be a 24 hour grace period where the site should be shut down.  No one is thinking clearly after losses, especially in games like in this series.  By the third overtime, everyone involved in that game included the fans were completely exhausted.

[LarBrd33]

This is not the team that won a title last year.  We are a broken, wounded team without our best player... a once proud dog that is now in the back yard malnourished with it's two back legs broken... limping around with clumps of fur falling out while some cocky little house cat hops the fence, starts eating its food and tries clawing its eyes out.

I've hated watching all of these games, but I take them for what they are.  Maybe we can regather ourselves next year, but this year we just do not have it.  I haven't enjoyed this series.   I'm proud of the dog for doing the best it can under the circumstances... but I really don't like watching it get eaten by a kitten.

[Redz]

This is not the team that won a title last year.  We are a broken, wounded team without our best player... a once proud dog that is now in the back yard malnourished with it's two back legs broken... limping around with clumps of fur falling out while some cocky little house cat hops the fence, starts eating its food and tries clawing its eyes out.

I've hated watching all of these games, but I take them for what they are.  Maybe we can regather ourselves next year, but this year we just do not have it.  I haven't enjoyed this series.   I'm proud of the dog for doing the best it can under the circumstances... but I really don't like watching it get eaten by a kitten.

What I've enjoyed is watching the fight left in that dog.  And I've enjoyed watching the cat challenging the dog.


I've enjoyed the competition.

[LarBrd33]

This is not the team that won a title last year.  We are a broken, wounded team without our best player... a once proud dog that is now in the back yard malnourished with it's two back legs broken... limping around with clumps of fur falling out while some cocky little house cat hops the fence, starts eating its food and tries clawing its eyes out.

I've hated watching all of these games, but I take them for what they are.  Maybe we can regather ourselves next year, but this year we just do not have it.  I haven't enjoyed this series.   I'm proud of the dog for doing the best it can under the circumstances... but I really don't like watching it get eaten by a kitten.

What I've enjoyed is watching the fight left in that dog.  And I've enjoyed watching the cat challenging the dog.


I've enjoyed the competition.

Death by kitten is pretty depressing, though.  I just wish the cocky little punk would wander in front of our teeth so we could bite its head off in game 7.
 

[Redz]

This is not the team that won a title last year.  We are a broken, wounded team without our best player... a once proud dog that is now in the back yard malnourished with it's two back legs broken... limping around with clumps of fur falling out while some cocky little house cat hops the fence, starts eating its food and tries clawing its eyes out.

I've hated watching all of these games, but I take them for what they are.  Maybe we can regather ourselves next year, but this year we just do not have it.  I haven't enjoyed this series.   I'm proud of the dog for doing the best it can under the circumstances... but I really don't like watching it get eaten by a kitten.

What I've enjoyed is watching the fight left in that dog.  And I've enjoyed watching the cat challenging the dog.


I've enjoyed the competition.

Death by kitten is pretty depressing, though.  I just wish the cocky little punk would wander in front of our teeth so we could bite its head off in game 7.

There's more than one way to skin a kitten...and, um , you can sometimes teach an old dog new tricks (like how to play without a bench)

[LarBrd33]

This is not the team that won a title last year.  We are a broken, wounded team without our best player... a once proud dog that is now in the back yard malnourished with it's two back legs broken... limping around with clumps of fur falling out while some cocky little house cat hops the fence, starts eating its food and tries clawing its eyes out.

I've hated watching all of these games, but I take them for what they are.  Maybe we can regather ourselves next year, but this year we just do not have it.  I haven't enjoyed this series.   I'm proud of the dog for doing the best it can under the circumstances... but I really don't like watching it get eaten by a kitten.

What I've enjoyed is watching the fight left in that dog.  And I've enjoyed watching the cat challenging the dog.


I've enjoyed the competition.

Death by kitten is pretty depressing, though.  I just wish the cocky little punk would wander in front of our teeth so we could bite its head off in game 7.

There's more than one way to skin a kitten...and, um , you can sometimes teach an old dog new tricks (like how to play without a bench)

The annoying thing is that it seems like everyone in the neighborhood hates the dog, because he's bit them at some point.  And they all seem to be ignoring the fact that he has tape worm and a flesh-eating disease that is making him rot from the inside out.   So the mailman is peaking over the fence and laughing about the Big Bad Dog getting eaten by Mittens and commenting, "Wow Mittens is really bringing the fight!".

[Redz]

This is not the team that won a title last year.  We are a broken, wounded team without our best player... a once proud dog that is now in the back yard malnourished with it's two back legs broken... limping around with clumps of fur falling out while some cocky little house cat hops the fence, starts eating its food and tries clawing its eyes out.

I've hated watching all of these games, but I take them for what they are.  Maybe we can regather ourselves next year, but this year we just do not have it.  I haven't enjoyed this series.   I'm proud of the dog for doing the best it can under the circumstances... but I really don't like watching it get eaten by a kitten.

What I've enjoyed is watching the fight left in that dog.  And I've enjoyed watching the cat challenging the dog.


I've enjoyed the competition.

Death by kitten is pretty depressing, though.  I just wish the cocky little punk would wander in front of our teeth so we could bite its head off in game 7.

There's more than one way to skin a kitten...and, um , you can sometimes teach an old dog new tricks (like how to play without a bench)

The annoying thing is that it seems like everyone in the neighborhood hates the dog, because he's bit them at some point.  And they all seem to be ignoring the fact that he has tape worm and a flesh-eating disease that is making him rot from the inside out.   So the mailman is peaking over the fence and laughing about the Big Bad Dog getting eaten by Mittens and commenting, "Wow Mittens is really bringing the fight!".

Such is the burden of being the proud old dog.

Have we successfully maxed out the metaphor usage here?