With the arrival of NBA superstar Kevin Garnett, the doormat Boston Celtics became the storied Boston Celtics once again.
In Pierce, Garnett and Allen, the Celtics now have a lineup formidable enough to contend with their impressive legacy.
Just a week ago, the Celtics were nothing more than a franchise that had to dust off the history books to brag about their past accomplishments, such as: 16 NBA championships, a legendary coach in Red Auerbach, the greatest defender ever in Bill Russell, and arguably the greatest player ever in Larry Bird. Just a week ago, the Celtics were a question mark in the NBA, and nothing close to what they used to be.But with the addition of Garnett in a blockbuster trade Tuesday, the Celtics can now stand proud again.When I became a big NBA fan in the early 80's it was cool to hate the Celtics. But I couldn't help but respect them, too.I loved watching Bird nail jumpers at any place, at any time, in anyone's eye. Robert Parish, Kevin McHale, Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge were stars that sacrificed their games to fit in around Bird and play team basketball that led to title after title. While the Los Angeles Lakers, the Detroit Pistons and the Philadelphia 76ers seemed more fun to watch, basketball was at its best when one of those teams played the Celtics in a dogfight on CBS on Sunday.Yes, I enjoyed rooting against the Celtics, but they often got the last laugh.As an African-American, my forced hatred for the Celtics came to an end as I got older and more educated. How could I dislike a franchise that drafted the first African-American in NBA history in Chuck Cooper? How could I dislike a franchise that showcased the first all-black starting five? How could I dislike a franchise that made Russell the first African-American coach in major American sports history?Considering the Celtics' storied history and the imprint it had on African-American history, it was sad to see them become mortal in recent years.Very mortal.The Celtics haven't been to the Finals in 20 years. The death of No. 1 draft pick Len Bias in 1986 hurt them for the next decade, if not longer. Since K.C. Jones' departure, Boston has had a carousel of coaches including Jimmy Rodgers, Chris Ford, M.L. Carr, Rick Pitino, Jim O'Brien, John Carroll and now Doc Rivers. The C's have missed the playoffs the last two seasons and eight of the past 12 years. Just last season they endured an embarrassing 18-game losing streak. Their lone and disgruntled star Paul Pierce seemed destined to be an NBA version of Ernie Banks. And despite having the NBA's second worst record, Boston couldn't get lucky enough in the 2007 draft lottery to win the coveted draft rights to Greg Oden or Kevin Durant.A once bright star respectfully known as the Celtics had fallen hard and hadn't shined for years."(Pierce and Rivers) have stood in front of the cameras and in front of (the media) the last two years and have taken some heat, taken some bullets, and had pretty heavy shoes to fill, and had expectations that were probably unrealistic and unfair," said Ainge, now the Celtics' executive director of basketball operations.The creative Celtics' brass, however, worked a miracle this offseason that even quieted talk of referee Tim Donaghy's gambling scandal.
In 12 seasons in Minnesota, Kevin Garnett only made it as far as the Western Conference finals once. Now that he's in Boston, Garnett is sure to face much higher expectations.
Seeing it as going from one rebuilding job to another, Garnett originally turned down an opportunity to leave Minnesota to become a Celtic earlier this summer. Seven-time NBA All-Star Ray Allen, however, took the first leap of faith, as he was dealt to the C's on draft night. With two perennial All-Stars on the roster in Pierce and Allen, it suddenly clicked with Garnett that the Celtics could be an Eastern Conference champion with him. And on July 31, the dog years for the Celtics finally came to an end with the addition of one of the NBA's biggest stars in K.G."On draft night when Boston traded for Ray Allen, that whole situation changed for me," Garnett said. "I actually contemplated and thought about it. I really didn't speak publicly. I really didn't say too much to my friends or any of that. I was really trying to see myself be comfortable in a Celtic jersey."The thought of Garnett wearing that famous green jersey is already having a huge impact on the confidence of his new teammates."(Garnett's arrival) means a lot more wins," said Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo, over the phone. "I don't want to guarantee anything ... We'll take it one step at a time, but we got players in key position to get things."Scoot over Red Sox and Patriots. Move over San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons. The Celtics are back where they are supposed to be: an NBA power again. And somewhere in heaven, Red is surely smiling while puffing another victory cigar."The Boston Celtics (are) an elite franchise," Pierce said. "Now that we've made the deals to be at an elite level, that's what this city is all about ... and staying there
In Pierce, Garnett and Allen, the Celtics now have a lineup formidable enough to contend with their impressive legacy.
Just a week ago, the Celtics were nothing more than a franchise that had to dust off the history books to brag about their past accomplishments, such as: 16 NBA championships, a legendary coach in Red Auerbach, the greatest defender ever in Bill Russell, and arguably the greatest player ever in Larry Bird. Just a week ago, the Celtics were a question mark in the NBA, and nothing close to what they used to be.But with the addition of Garnett in a blockbuster trade Tuesday, the Celtics can now stand proud again.When I became a big NBA fan in the early 80's it was cool to hate the Celtics. But I couldn't help but respect them, too.I loved watching Bird nail jumpers at any place, at any time, in anyone's eye. Robert Parish, Kevin McHale, Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge were stars that sacrificed their games to fit in around Bird and play team basketball that led to title after title. While the Los Angeles Lakers, the Detroit Pistons and the Philadelphia 76ers seemed more fun to watch, basketball was at its best when one of those teams played the Celtics in a dogfight on CBS on Sunday.Yes, I enjoyed rooting against the Celtics, but they often got the last laugh.As an African-American, my forced hatred for the Celtics came to an end as I got older and more educated. How could I dislike a franchise that drafted the first African-American in NBA history in Chuck Cooper? How could I dislike a franchise that showcased the first all-black starting five? How could I dislike a franchise that made Russell the first African-American coach in major American sports history?Considering the Celtics' storied history and the imprint it had on African-American history, it was sad to see them become mortal in recent years.Very mortal.The Celtics haven't been to the Finals in 20 years. The death of No. 1 draft pick Len Bias in 1986 hurt them for the next decade, if not longer. Since K.C. Jones' departure, Boston has had a carousel of coaches including Jimmy Rodgers, Chris Ford, M.L. Carr, Rick Pitino, Jim O'Brien, John Carroll and now Doc Rivers. The C's have missed the playoffs the last two seasons and eight of the past 12 years. Just last season they endured an embarrassing 18-game losing streak. Their lone and disgruntled star Paul Pierce seemed destined to be an NBA version of Ernie Banks. And despite having the NBA's second worst record, Boston couldn't get lucky enough in the 2007 draft lottery to win the coveted draft rights to Greg Oden or Kevin Durant.A once bright star respectfully known as the Celtics had fallen hard and hadn't shined for years."(Pierce and Rivers) have stood in front of the cameras and in front of (the media) the last two years and have taken some heat, taken some bullets, and had pretty heavy shoes to fill, and had expectations that were probably unrealistic and unfair," said Ainge, now the Celtics' executive director of basketball operations.The creative Celtics' brass, however, worked a miracle this offseason that even quieted talk of referee Tim Donaghy's gambling scandal.
In 12 seasons in Minnesota, Kevin Garnett only made it as far as the Western Conference finals once. Now that he's in Boston, Garnett is sure to face much higher expectations.
Seeing it as going from one rebuilding job to another, Garnett originally turned down an opportunity to leave Minnesota to become a Celtic earlier this summer. Seven-time NBA All-Star Ray Allen, however, took the first leap of faith, as he was dealt to the C's on draft night. With two perennial All-Stars on the roster in Pierce and Allen, it suddenly clicked with Garnett that the Celtics could be an Eastern Conference champion with him. And on July 31, the dog years for the Celtics finally came to an end with the addition of one of the NBA's biggest stars in K.G."On draft night when Boston traded for Ray Allen, that whole situation changed for me," Garnett said. "I actually contemplated and thought about it. I really didn't speak publicly. I really didn't say too much to my friends or any of that. I was really trying to see myself be comfortable in a Celtic jersey."The thought of Garnett wearing that famous green jersey is already having a huge impact on the confidence of his new teammates."(Garnett's arrival) means a lot more wins," said Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo, over the phone. "I don't want to guarantee anything ... We'll take it one step at a time, but we got players in key position to get things."Scoot over Red Sox and Patriots. Move over San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons. The Celtics are back where they are supposed to be: an NBA power again. And somewhere in heaven, Red is surely smiling while puffing another victory cigar."The Boston Celtics (are) an elite franchise," Pierce said. "Now that we've made the deals to be at an elite level, that's what this city is all about ... and staying there
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