Boston Celtics Reborn

Sweet 17. The Boston Celtics lead by its “Big Three” revitalized a franchise that until this year, was struggling. I guess if you really look at it, struggling might be too good a word. One year ago, the Boston Celtics were the worst team in the NBA, but now they can call themselves champions. What did it take? It was 3 simple steps that lead the new Celtics to the franchise’s 17th championship.

Defense. All of the dominant wins during the regular season, all of the impressive performances during the playoffs, and of course everything that went into blowing out the Los Angeles Lakers to clinch the World Championship came from Defense. It was the fundamental base of the Celtics. Without it, they would have fell short of their goal. Their theory was dominant on the defensive side of the ball and let their defense provide points for their offense. Offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships. Defense.

Play-Makers. Paul Pierce has been the heart and soul of the entire Celtics organization for the past 10 years, but his efforts, although impressive could not win the Celtics a championship. He could not do what needed to be done all by himself. The Celtics management saw this and went out and got the players Paul Pierce needed to take a terrible team and turn it into a powerhouse. Ray Allen. The graceful shooter. Without a doubt one of the greatest shooters to ever play the game. #20 provided spark from beyond the arc and a player that Paul Pierce could go to. Kevin Garnett. The passionate defender. The Big Ticket came into Boston and changed the entire culture. The Boston Celtics became a defensive basketball team with KG at the helm. KG’s play was dominant earning him the Defensive Player of the Year award and comparisons to the legendary Celtic Bill Russell. The Big Three lead the Boston Celtics to the promised land, a 17th World Championship, another banner hanging with the legends of the past.

Sacrifice. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, & Ray Allen are individually among the top players in the entire NBA, but apart from each other, not one of them could make it even to the NBA Finals with their respective teams. They were formed in Boston, but the most important aspect of the new look Celtics was enforced by Doc Rivers, the head coach. Sacrifice. Each man had to sacrifice aspects of his game to make this team great. Their individual stats were down from previous years, but because of that they achieved the only number that matters. One. They were the number one team in the NBA throughout the entire year and the sacrifices of these 3 great players helped them clinch the championship. A prize that had alluded the 3 for a very long time. The Celtics did what they had to do, The Big Three did what they had to do. Sacrifice, believe in the system.

So after a dominant year going 66-16, bringing the worst team in the NBA back to relevance, and adding another World Championship to the already impressive resume of the Celtics, what happens now? There’s only one thing the Big Three, Doc Rivers, The Boston Celtics organization, & the passionate Boston fans will settle for. Repeat. Get 18.