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A green leprechaun. This is how many fans have come to know the
Boston Celtics throughout the years. This Celtic symbol signifies
all that is good in the most storied franchise in NBA history. The
words pride, tradition, mystique and of course, pure luck have been
associated with this symbol and have added to the lore behind the
green and white.
After more than 20 years of championship
drought, this year may just be the year the Celtics break the long
run of bad luck and hang their 17th championship banner—an
achievement expected by its long-waiting fans and the long green
line of Celtics greats.
In the first round of their series with the
Atlanta Hawks, the Celtics were expected trounce the Hawks by
sweeping them in four. Instead, Boston was extended all the way by
an inexperienced but athletic Hawks team. At times, the Celtics
looked tired and old but triumphed in an easy Game 7 to advance to
the next round.
Everyone thought that the Hawks were just a
slight bump and that a similar situation would not happen versus the
Cleveland Cavaliers. Like a bad dream, however, the Cavaliers also
took the Celtics all the way to the edge losing in a close Game 7.
Behind Paul Pierce’s heroics, the Celtics withstood a one-man
assault by arguably the best player in the league, LeBron James, to
squeak out an ugly 97-92 win.
After that game, many pundits have questioned
the toughness and determination of the Celtics. So far in the
playoffs, the team has not won a single game on the road—a
worrisome thought for a team aiming for the championship. As far as
I can recall, no team has ever won a title without winning at least
once on the road throughout the entire playoffs. So far, the Celtics
have been 0-6 on the road, a surprising fact given that they had the
best road record during the regular season.
Yesterday, the Celtics lost their first home
game in the postseason with a 103-97 loss to the Detroit Pistons in
Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Now, Boston needs to win at
least one game on the road if they are to keep their championship
hopes alive. Winning a game on the road against a team as good as
the Pistons will be a true test for the Celtics. One must consider
that the core of the Pistons has gone to six straight Eastern
Conference finals and have won a title together against the vaunted
tandem of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.
The next game of Boston will be on Sunday
morning (Manila time) at The Palace of Auburn Hills at the home
court of the Pistons. This is game is a must-win for the Celtics
since a win would allow them to regain the advantage and edge versus
Detroit. Let us see if the green leprechaun’s magic can bring the
Celtics back.
SIDELINES. Kevin Garnett is the first Celtic to
win the Defensive Player of the Year Award. Other notable defensive
greats who wore the green and white are Kevin McHale, John Havlicek
and of course, Bill Russell.
Please e-mail your comments and suggestions to raffyrledesma@yahoo.com
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