The Boston Celtics' 83rd Game and Their Quest for the Gold Ball

It takes a team to raise a championship banner and no other franchise embodies that more than the Boston Celtics. They are the North Carolina Tar Heels of the NBA.

At anytime you can see or hear about the presence of past Celtic championship teams. Prior to a game, Tommy Heinsohn can be seen talking to the younger Celtics sharing his insights.

This year's edition of the 'big three', Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen, are trying to make a more permanent mark so they too can be held in the same regard as Larry Bird, Kevin Mchale, and Robert Parrish.

The next generation of Celtic players, Rajon Rondo, has already linked his name with another Celtic great, Bob Cousy.

They are at once proud but also burdened with the expectations of being a member of the most decorated franchise in the NBA. 

It doesn't matter to the fans, that in spite of their inconsistent season they won their division and currently are still playing for third place in the Eastern Conference.  All they see is a team that reaches for rebounds and plays matador defense.

The Boston faithful have even begun to boo them at home, not a good sign for a team that is contending for a championship. 

The absence of Gino on the Jumbotron has been most disheartening to Celtic nation.

His presence alone after a vaunted Celtic defensive run to cement a win turned the TD Garden into a rumble in the jungle on Causeway Street, but lately it has felt like more of a walk on the Boston Common.

Its a frightening thing to think that getting out of the first round is not a sure thing for them.  

Paul Pierce has stated publicly that their goal as a minimum is an NBA championship.

The way they have been playing, they may have to settle for just winning their division and call it a season.