When we heard the news ~24 hours before the C's first postseason game against Chicago about the unfortunate tragedy involving Isaiah's sister, we all felt saddened, and grieved alongside Mighty Mouse. We didn't care about the game of basketball at the time, and could care less about the games right after it, because this was bigger than that.
Then IT went out there and played a hell of a game just a day after his sister was tragically killed, but unfortunately the C's lost that game, and they ended up losing Game 2 as well.
It was really a "dark time" both emotionally, and for the fate of the franchise, as everyone called us the "worst #1 seed in NBA history" and we fell behind 2-0 with the herculean task of needing to win multiple games ON THE ROAD. At the same time, we all supported Isaiah during the tough times he was going through, but it was just one hectic time for all of us (C's players/fans/management alike).
After a much needed two day break (extra day off), then comes Games 3-4, and CBS makes one major change.
Gerald Green is starting. Now I acknowledge Rondo being injured also helped us out quite a bit. But man, this C's team played like a whole new team I'd never seen before. Everything was clicking, they were out there hustling, and more importantly, they seemed to have fun doing it again (playing with heart and pride all the way).
"Horford is the worst NBA contract in NBA History", but now he's the BIGGEST reason the C's are still in it now, and he's played like a max-player. Definitely earned his $$$ this postseason.
And Result, 4 straight wins after an emotional roller-coaster of a first two gamesThe Washington series was NOT easy at all, but boy did the C's come out firing. Everyone predicted before the series that WAS with the far more superior duo of Beal/Wall would wreck the C's and Boston were "lucky" to even be at that point.
When they fell behind 16-0 and 20-3 to start, I thought, "oh boy, maybe everyone else was right". Then what happens? Insane 2nd half leading to a big Game 1 win,
and in Game 2, on the night of Chyna's birthday... IT goes out there and drops 53. Idk about you guys, but I don't think there could have been an even better ending to that, especially with it going to OT and the C's playing a full 53 minutes to secure the win.
But not so fast. Up 2-0, we thought the C's figured it out. Then come two demoralizing blowouts on the road that suddenly sparks up the national media and haters again. Another few days of stress and doom and gloom around here. "Kelly Olynyk is such a dirty player" after the Game 3 incident..
But then they play another "perfect" game in Game 5 at home and win. Game 6 was close, but unfortunately ended badly for the C's, with Wall hitting the clutch shot there (nothing much the C's could do; kudos to Wall there).
Then it comes again... national media choosing Washington, doom and gloom for a few days before a "stressful" Game 7.
Game 7 happens, and it's not looking good.
C's were trailing for a good chunk of the 3rd, and we thought... well, this might be it. BUT VOILA, IN COMES "KNOCKOUT OLYNYK"... 
We thought it would be Isaiah (though he still had a GREAT 29 points, 12 assists that night), but of all people, it's KO our Game 7 hero.
After the whole Oubre-Olynyk incident, it was only fitting that's how the series ended with Oubre also on the bench most of Game 7..
Now after two demoralizing games in this series, and with IT going out, you would have expected the C's to call it quits and have their season finish yesterday.
But nope, that's not the C's we know. No Isaiah? No problem. Everyone chips in, defense plays phenomenal, and there's extra heart, hustle and grit out there to secure a Game 3 win ON THE ROAD w/Lebron only scoring 11 points...
The fact that the C's have avoided a sweep this series and could potentially force a Game 6 makes this a LARGELY SUCCESSFUL season in my books. Especially after losing IT in Game 2 and going on the road Games 3-4.. they managed a good win in Game 3 and almost again in Game 4.
I'm hoping the C's extend their season tomorrow night,
and I know the C's will play hard (they won't get blown out at home again and they owe their fans a great performance, even if it's in a losing effort.)Now I know, why this long post basically summarizing the playoffs...
Well, because nothing in this postseason came easy. The C's are probably not even playing still right now (already eliminated), except that our team always fights to the end and responds when their backs are firmly against a brick wall.
If this truly is the end tomorrow though, then I guess I just want to say, THANK YOU CELTICS! We couldn't have asked for better progress this whole season/playoffs, and forget "just make it out of the first round". This team is now just 7 games away from a Finals, in an ECF, already having grabbed a road win at CLE w/o Isaiah, with a "far-from perfect, rebuilding" roster still. They could have folded many times earlier in the playoffs, but they didn't, and here they are. I don't think I'm ready for "no Celtics basketball" for another 5 months, but again, if this truly is the end, KUDOS to the Celtics, and thank you for this fun, wild, and inspiring season!
Topic: Regardless What Happens, This Was One FUN Postseason (THANKS C's!) (Read 2921 times)