As so many of us, yes, myself included, start to have thoughts of bought draft picks, free agents and trades to assist us in returning glory, I thought it time to take a look back at the season that was and appreciate what we had. There are times after non championship seasons that we tend to have severe short term memory of the season that was and make plans and focus on the season yet to be. Considering what I have read on this site since that home loss to Orlando, a team that is starting to look like a real championship caliber team, I think some appreciatation for occurred is in order.
When the season started there were a lot of questions about this team's ability to repeat as Perk had shoulder problems, Pierce had pulled over by cops and being the best player problems, Danny had no Posey problems, and Doc had obvious bench problems. But what happened? The Celtics decided that there simply weren't any problems and ran out to the best two-loss start of a season by a team in league history that included the longest winning streak in Celtics history.
How soon we forget what this team gave us. Yes we were able to witness history being made by this team and yet it is all so soon forgotten.
Tony started strong and then slowed and then returned to Tony level. Rondo started strong, slumped and then returned to a level very few expected. Perk was brilliant from the get go and it was pretty obvious that Doc had figured a way to integrate a very healthy looking Ray into the offensive game plan. What could stop this team?
Apparently, the Lakers and the West coast that suddenly caused this team to derail and come back to just outstanding level in their record and not record breaking level. There were't any significant injuries but just tired looking players and listless play. But being the champs that they are they fought through it and started playing even better basketball than they were during the streak. Dominance was the name of the game.
At this time it became obvious that Baby was getting "IT" and his shot started dropping, Rondo became a consistent, bordering o All-Star caliber player, and Perk's improve was for real. The Celtics had seemingly made up for Posey's loss by simply having their young players take extraordinary jumps forward in their progress. Then stuff started happening.
KG went out for a couple games and then went down permanently. Scal got a concussion and then got two more and was out for a very long time, Tony Allen missed significant time, Leon went down, Baby went down and times became tougher. But a funny thing happened on the road to adversity. People stepped up big.
Leon when not hurt was immense for the injured KG, then Baby became a real scorer and player in KG's absence, Perk stepped up his offensive game, and Rondo became a dominant player. Ray and Paul had to play big minutes and this would eventually hurt this team big, but for a team that was decimated by injury, they showed the heart and desire and tenacity and will power of a champion and never gave in to the excuses. And they won and won big games beating Cleveland and San Antonio and some other high caliber teams down the stretch without their star and with a severly depleted front line.
And they won 62 games and finished just 4 games behind the top seeded and very healthy Cavs. They clinched the second seed and had just an amazing rollercoaster ride of a regular season. They entered the playoffs beat up, on fumes and displaying tons of guts.
And then came the playoffs. Chicago. 7 games. 4 OT games. The most exciting opening series ever. And they won it. Orlando. 7 more games. Horrible matchups. Big comebacks. Amazing series. And unfortuantely, disappointment.
But, lest we forget and dwell on the negative, as I have said for weeks, this might be one of my favorite Celtics team ever. They showed more heart, grit, determination, team spirit, and balls than any I can remember over the last 25 years or so. They gave us thrills, excitement, proven star performances, player development, dominance and playoff happenings. They wrapped three or five seasons worth of special events into one long thrilling and unforgetable season.
And they should be proud and walk away from this season with their heads high and with the attitude that they lost but weren't beaten. They didn't repeat but no one wrested their title from them either. They were never given a chance to. But this is professional sports and sometimes crap happens and you have to make the best of it. And they did and them some and some more.
Thank you Celtics, it was an unbelievable ride that I look forward to having again before this calendar year ends.
Topic: 2008-09 A fond look back (Read 2059 times)