I'm so proud of this team...

[HYPE.]

As I sit hear, headset on ears, I Believe I Can Fly and The World's Greatest on repeat on iTunes, I almost tear up.

Just think about it for a second; no KG, no Leon Powe, our team is worse than last year, the improvement of the contending teams. Look at where we are now. Look at how far we made it. We're one game victory away from the ECF's. With all the trials and tribulations that we have faced, all the struggles, all the plights; we managed fight through it. Regardless of whether we make it all the way or not, I truly am proud of this team.

Just thinking about how inspired our players are; that, to me, epitomizes Celtic Pride. These guys are just so passionate and tough. When the chips were down last night, we still managed to pull a W. This Celtics team is capable of miracles.

I TRULY, TRULY believe that we can raise Banner 18 this year. I mean, why not? We have the most heart and hustle in the league, hands down. We want it the most. This series alone has been won (at least almost) with heart.

And...I know every "expert" counts this team out, but I believe we can whether the storm and ultimately win it all. We're the Boston Celtics, the defending champions. Give us a challenge, and we'll rise up to it and give it our all. We're battle-tested and battle-ready. We've been through this before.

I believe with all my heart that we can win it all.

With that, I'll leave you with two songs that have motivated, inspired and touched me this whole post-season. Hopefully these songs have the same effect on you and give you at least a glimmer of hope. One.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbUpPVOEkdA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyaNlZaVOpc

[Big_Dave31]

I totally agree....
It is amazing to see how resilient Boston have been.  Tremendous heart!  No matter what happens here on in is just gravy....
Its great how everyone has written us off, for the past few weeks, I have my mates giving it to me about how we are going to be eliminated, firstly, when Chicago challenged us, then when Orlando beat us in game 1....I have never stopped believing!!!

Go Celtics!!!!

:-D

[johnnyrondo]

Proud of the team too. R Kelly? Not so much.

[HYPE.]

^ Hey, it motivates me; as cheesy as his songs are.

[nickagneta]

What more can I add. I've been pretty consistent in thinking that their chance to repeat is as good as Cleveland's Denver's, or LA's chances.

Never underestimate the heart of a champion or the power of UBUNTU!!

Celtics in 6 and some shocking wins in the next series. Sorry, LeBron, this team isn't going to stop and genuflect to you on your way to being crowned David Stern's newest individual champion marketing tool ala, Kobe, Shaq and Jordan.

Expect a fight and expect to lose games because even without last year's Defensive Player of the Year and a member of last year's All-NBA First Team, the Celtics are still a dangerous team that truly hates to lose. I mean, like as much as Larry Bird's and Michael Jordan's legendary distaste for losing. On that level. They despise losing and that can take a team and an individual further than anyone could ever expect.

[gagvirk]

I agree with all the posts above. You guys have summed it up to a T.
I just hope for the game 6 win now.. ECF here we come- For all of LBJs proclamations that he'd like to play against the Celts again, I am sure he'll be just a little apprehensive seeing the spirit of the Celts.

now quite the same as facing the Magic with the inhouse bickering, is it?

[MMacOH]

I'm not surprised the Celtics are where they are right now.  They are still a very good team without KG and Powe.  Rondo, Allen and Pierce are all very good players.  Easily the 3 best players on the court in the Chicago series and 3 of the 4 best on the floor in the Orlando series. 

KG is important to this team, but they are still a top 5 team without him

[Amonkey]

It's all about who is playing the best basketball in the end of the playoffs.  The Celtics wasn't playing in their prime in the first and second series, but as the playoffs progressed, we stepped up every single round until we were playing the ultimate best basketball against the Lakers.

We haven't played that great yet, but how about Pierce stepping up his game, Ray getting his groove back, House catching on fire, Rondo staying aggressive, Perkins being our defensive anchor, Big Baby playing well on both ends of the floor, Marbury playing like Starbury.  It could definitely happen.

[Redz]

What's impressed me most is the amount of guys who have stepped up and been directly responsible for wins on various occasions. 

Pierce, ray, Perk, Rondo, Baby, Baby & more Baby, Eddie, Marbury, SCALS

Those are 8 guys who you can look at and thank for at least one of our 7 wins so far.  They've needed every bot of it.

Let's finish this one up!

CELTIC's PRIDE LIVES

[Birdbrain]

I'm on the bandwagon.  Good post.  Positive thoughts lead to positive outcomes.  I can honestly say that when the C's went down by 14 in the 4th I still 'knew' they would come back.  Anyone that doesn't feel this way hasn't been paying attention.  Hold the negativity until the off-season.  This team deserves nothing but, praise.

[makaveli]

Proud?? Tell me about it 
That Baby gamewinner will fuel me up for months, can wait what PP killing LBJ will do 

[Greenbean]

It's all about who is playing the best basketball in the end of the playoffs.  The Celtics wasn't playing in their prime in the first and second series, but as the playoffs progressed, we stepped up every single round until we were playing the ultimate best basketball against the Lakers.

We haven't played that great yet, but how about Pierce stepping up his game, Ray getting his groove back, House catching on fire, Rondo staying aggressive, Perkins being our defensive anchor, Big Baby playing well on both ends of the floor, Marbury playing like Starbury.  It could definitely happen.

Exactly. This team is not the same as last year but they also have not put together a complete game or series yet. As long as they stay committed to defense, they have enough firepower to get it done. There have been different guys stepping up and consequently disappearing on different nights. There is the distinct possibility that they can start clicking at the same time and get by the Cavs. I am really just as hopeful and optimistic as the OP for the simple reason that even w/o KG and Powe the Celtics not only have the heart to get it done, I truly believe they also have to talent to raise banner 18.

[DivingCowens]

I have been saying the same thing to anyone who will listen.

These guys are CELTICS.  Red is very proud wherever he is.  They play with 100% heart.  They never think they are out of a game.  It's really amazing to watch.

When we signed Steph, my friends were ripping me so hard but I told them, if there is one team out there that can make that guy a team player for the 1st time in his career, it is THIS team.  And gee, looks like I was right.

Whether it's Doc, Danny, Tom Thib, KG, PP, the banners that are overhead, or the name inscribed on the court, these guys just get it.  It is a wonderful thing to watch and I think that our window is wide open for years beyond the "Big 3" with the better Rajon and Perk and Baby get.

[Drucci]

TP for the OP, great post!

I totally agree, I'm not so optimistic about the team's chances about repeating this year but I must admit that I've been thinking "What if they somehow managed to reach the Finals again?" often during these last days...

Anyway I'm proud of this team too and it's such a joy to watch the Celtics winning big games in these playoffs when they are clearly not the favourites!

[Hoyo de Monterrey]

TP for the OP as well, I was thinking this exact sentiment driving to work this morning. At first I thought they were winning on smoke and mirrors, but then realized it was pure guts. They really have been outmatched on paper in this Orlando series, and because they simply have way more heart then the Magic they're up 3-2. This is the gutsiest Celtics team I have ever seen. Last year they were on a mission and had the skill/talent to match the drive. Now, we're getting significant minutes from Scal while starting BBD, with KG and Powe only watching, but we've still managed 7 wins so far in the postseason. Boston's winning on pure guts, and I like it. This is almost a more likeable team then last year.