I am so full of mixed emotions right now that it's hard to even think ... I'm disgusted with the fact that the Lakers had more than twice as many free-throws than us, I'm upset that we were out-rebounded again and gave our opponent way too may second and third chances, I'm baffled how we could hold our opponent to such a low shooting percentage and yet still lose ... this is really about as disappointed as I've ever been with the outcome of a game, and something that will take a while to get over ... seriously.
But far beyond all of that, I want to congratulate the Celtics ... they once again dug down deep throughout these playoffs and proved again and again that they could beat the odds, prove the doubters wrong, and overcome all the adversity thrown at them to win series after series, when they weren't given a prayer. Yes, they came up just short of their ultimate goal, but they did so with the fight and pride of true warriors, and they have nothing to hang their heads about.
Unfortunately, as is sometimes the case in life, the "good guys" don't always get the girl, and the best team doesn't always win ... tonight was one of those times, and that's what makes it so hard for me to swallow. I know in my heart who truly deserved this win, who worked the hardest, beat the biggest odds, persevered, and played the epitome of unselfish defense-oriented hoops ... but this was one of those rare instances where the good guys didn't win, and where the focus and "big picture" should not be on the prize itself, but on the journey that led to the spot where we came up nigh.
The regular season left a lot to be desired, and we were plagued by injuries, trades, new personnel, leadership issues, and the like, but we did what we had to do to make the playoffs, and then were finally healthy enough to flip the switch. All year long and throughout the post-season, this team dug deep and showed that they still possessed all the qualities and attributes that define Celtic pride ... they went on to surprise everyone in the playoffs, and not just win the first three series, but do so convincingly. Where everyone was just bashing them a few short weeks before, now all the chatter was how everyone had taken them for granted ... that they were far better than most had imagined.
Well, to a lot of us "Die-Hards" it was no surprise ... we knew this team still had what it takes to get the job done, and knew it was just a matter of health and timing that would decide how deep they would get into the post-season. Now, there were a ton of reasons why we lost tonight, and any ONE of those reasons, if just altered ever-so-slightly, would have given us the winning edge, but it didn't happen that way. For whatever reason, the final breeze blew in the direction of L.A., and the coin-flip came down on their side. And while it does nothing to ease the pain, on this night at least, the best team didn't win.
But I want to congratulate the Celtics for everything they did this year .... for overcoming the odds again and again, for digging down deep and finding the courage to carry on and persevere despite all the doubt, for defining and exemplifying what Celtic Pride means and represents, for never getting discouraged, for never losing sight of their ultimate goal, for taking the entire season one game at a time, for being unselfish and making the "team" the most important member, for not listening to the nay-sayers and doubters, but listening to their hearts and the spirit of Ubuntu, for not getting discouraged by poor officiating and unfair calls, and not using that as an excuse, for always taking responsibility when they played poorly and doing what they needed to correct their game when they did, for not letting ego get in the way of good communication and teamwork, and, when at their best, for playing basketball as good as I've ever seen it played.
Congratulations, Celtics, for another amazing season ... in my heart and the hearts of many, YOU are the Championship team, and I think even the Lakers know who the better team is, when it comes right down to it. You guys should hold your heads high, as us fans will ... I could be no more proud of you than I am right now, for always showing the heart and spirit of the champions you are, and for being the epitome of class, character, determination, discipline, tenacity, and unselfishness. Whatever happens from this point on, I wish you all the best and thank you for all the joy and excitement you've brought to my life.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart ... I dedicate this, (my 10,000th post), to you ... the TRUE champions!
I love the Celtics!
(I can't wait for next season!)
