As a Celtics fan since I as long as I can remember, you would think I would be happy, right?
Happy that I am not just looking into a past I have only read about. The countless greatest moments watched in reruns of ESPN classics.
I have always been the type to go against the grain, if you need an example go read my Bleacher Report list in my profile. They ask Montana or Unitas? I defiantly answer Cunningham.
In a time where every kid was a Bulls fan, I wore green! I still have my first Paul Pierce jersey that fits more like an A-shirt now. I still wear it too! The Bird Man throwback only comes out on special occasions.
The Boston Celtics have won an impressive 17 NBA championships since 1957. I was born in '81, so even for the '80s' championships, I was still too young to really understand what this team was really all about.
I remember when Allen Iverson, who is without a doubt my favorite player, was rumored to be going to Boston. I could have died happy if I saw my man in a Celtics Jersey. Unfortunately, he ended up in Denver.
I live in MN, so naturally, I root for the Wolves, and how can you not love KG. So when KG was traded to Boston, I was torn. Although I love the Celtics, it was bitter sweet to say the least.
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Then I thought what every fan probably thought (especially Celtics fans) when the deal was done for Ray Allen to head east. Do they even need to play? Boston will win the 2007-2008 NBA title.
So let me get this straight. They trade for KG, sign Ray Allen, and they somehow manage to keep Pierce?
Not that the road wouldn't be long, not to say that the NBA will just roll over for them, but we have never seen anything like this. Not two, but three legitimate All Stars on one team, with a stellar supporting cast in role players like James Posey, Rajon Rondo, Eddie House, and P.J. Brown, to name a few.
If they didn't pull it off, well, it would be no more shocking or disappointing than the Patriots losing their undefeated season to the hands of Eli Manning and the NY Giants. Though, due to my against-the-grain nature, I picked the Giants to win, as did anyone who knows a thing or two about football, but that's another story all together.
So, my question is: Did the Celtics buy this championship? Is it no better than Barry Bonds' HR records? Should there be an asterisk by it. Not to imply that they cheated or anything, but how could they not win with this team. I mean, what team could compete with what might literally be the greatest team in NBA history?
I will say that this doesn't mean that you can take any three All Stars and produce the same results. I do have to say that these three guys came together at a time in their career when they had all matured. They had evolved to that point where you just want to win.
Does this change how the players will approach the game? Will more guys sacrifice for the good of the team, namely, the guys with All-Star status? Or will we continue to see guys like Gilbert Arenas demand big contracts that don't allow the franchise to bring in players that can help them win?
Who will be the next team to pull together a trio of stars? With guys like LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Ray Allen, Tyson Chandler, Manu Ginobili, Richard Jefferson, Joe Johnson, Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, and Michael Redd, each becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2010, it will be the most important offseason in the NBA's history.
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3 months ago
good read!
from 3 months ago
Thank you very much.
3 months ago
atrocious!
how could you say the celtics bought there championship? they put the best team together with players that were the best available.
from 3 months ago
I did not say it, I posed the question. Its just an anylyzation bro, a conversational piece. So relax bro, thanks for reading.
3 months ago
Interesting.
All teams are bought. It's a business. How 'bout them Yankees? Hehe.
Players skill and chemistry determines a championship.
If your beloved Iverson won, what would you say? Denver has the highest payroll in the NBA.
What shocks you is that they were unselfish - probably something you're not used to. We've just seen spoiled drama queens who play for losing teams that will pay them the big $$$$.
Latest Example: Cory Maggette, and Baron Davis.
Good for the Celtics organization for bringing together quality players who define "team".
AND - Congrats to the Celtics and their fans!
from 3 months ago
True, The yankees are a classic example of this. I almost refrenced that. To me its kind of like you either have guys that wanna win or guys that wanna be stars and get tha cheese. which is kind of another point I made with guys that seem to want to play as a team i.e. the nuggets who may have a pretty stable offensivly yet do not play team D. I would say that though they do have the highest payroll I assume we would agree that there are some grossly overpaid individuals on that team. Thanks for reading bro.
3 months ago
By the way:
If you ask - "How could they not win with this team?" Then - what makes them any different than the Bulls with Jordan? Magic with the Lakers? Bird with the Celtics?
Didn't all of those teams have the same unfair advantage as these Celtics? Big 3 of All-Stars!
You might want to think about that......
3 months ago
Well first let me say that your a little Fireball Alexa, ahh how I love a good debate.
but sadly this wont be much of one my friend as you make my point for me.
Jordan, Magic and Bird were the kind of players that made other guys around them better, which is why they are a rare breed and you havent seen players like them in the modern game. All three of these guys you mention could have and did win championships with lesser teams.
You put any of these guys on some of the T wolves teams Garnett had in Minnesota, and MN would have a couple titles to show for it. I think you get it because this works for Bird and Magic as well.
Just the Opposite is true If you take Jordan Magic or Bird off any team they won titles on Do you think those teams would be the same?
yet you could take any one of the "Big Three" off this team and they should still have a good chance.
The Fact is not one of these guys is on the level of the players you mention.
You might wanna think about that.......
As Always thank for reading. i assume I will hear from you again, and look forward to it.
3 months ago
I toldly diagree, the Celtics earned the title and the NBA never gave it to them. Now just think what the Wolves could have done. Had they built a team around KG, they could have been a multiple Championship winning organization and they aren't because they never did.
Now the Celtics go out trade for KG and Allen, have Pierce, add a great bench and win a title. I could see a diehard fan being glad they won, but disappointed. Since they didn't build the team using the draft. But thinking the title was bought, that makes me ask? Why watch Sports? Why write about it on B/R? Why wear your Teams colors any time of the year?
3 months ago
I am a huge Celtics fan and the first thing I thought when they made the deals was wow they just bought a ring...
But when I thought about it they did give up alot to get KG
Great read!!
I am adding you as a fan just for this article!!
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