Boston Celtics: Win or Lose, Their Journey This Season Has Been Amazing to Watch

It was all suppose to be over two years ago.

The Celtics were coming off a finals defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers and no one would argue the fact that their last shot at an NBA title was gone then and there.

Last season, the Celtics were embarrassed by the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Big three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen were run over by the NBA’s new star-studded trio.

Even diehard Celtics fans had accepted the team’s fate. The 2011-2012 season was a goodbye tour of sorts in which fans could watch the team play one more year together before everything was blown up.  

It was hard to watch the Celtics play early on this season.

Paul Pierce came into the year out of shape, Kevin Garnett was a shell of himself, and Ray Allen started the year off okay, but like most players his age, injuries eventually limited his production.

The Celtics went into the All-Star break with more losses than wins. It seemed as if the reunion tour was ruining the memories of how the team used to be. Instead of waiting until seasons end, blowing it up midseason appeared certain.

The rebuilding process was inevitable, and since the team had no shot at competing for a title, it was in everyone’s best interest to start the process as soon as possible.

The rest of the regular season was a complete reversal. Pierce and Garnett found the fountain of youth. Garnett, personally, was playing his best basketball in years as he averaged 17 points and 8.5 rebounds per game after the All-Star break.

The Celtics started winning games against quality opponents, including two inspiring victories over the Miami Heat.

They were finally playing like a team again. It was awesome to see everyone playing their best basketball at the same time.

Along with the improved play of Garnett and Pierce, Rajon Rondo led the NBA in assists and had arguably his best all-around season.

As Ray Allen struggled with injuries, second-year guard Avery Bradley stepped into the starting lineup and became one of the league’s premier defenders. He also turned into Rondo’s running mate and converted several easy layups a game on cuts to the basket and fast break scores.  

By season’s end, the Celtics won their division and were the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.

After a season-ending ACL tear to Bulls star Derrick Rose in the team’s first playoff game, the Celtics were suddenly expected to make the conference finals. The pressure was on them to take care of business in the first two rounds and square off against the Miami Heat.

The Celtics, like a championship team always does, did what they were expected to do. They defeated the Atlanta Hawks in a hard fought six-game series and narrowly escaped the pesky Philadelphia 76ers in seven.

The stage was set for a Celtics-Heat matchup. The team that seemingly slammed the door shut on this era of Celtics basketball had to beat their rivals once again.

No one believed the Celtics could beat the younger and more talented Heat. They had the three-time league MVP as well as a former finals MVP, and all the Celtics had were three over-the-hill veteran all stars and a tumultuous star point guard.

The belief in the Celtics worsened after losing the first two games in Miami. There was no way Miami would blow a two-game lead over a team they had easily beaten in last year’s playoffs.

The Celtics were able to rebound from a devastating Game 2 overtime defeat. Rajon Rondo played every minute of the game, and Kevin Garnett played his most minutes ever in a Celtics jersey, but the team was still able to score a crucial victory.  

In Game 4, the Celtics ran off with a huge lead, which at one point reached over 20 points. However, the Heat stormed back and eventually sent the game into overtime.

The Celtics showed their true character and resilience as they refused to accept defeat. Even with their captain fouled out, the team secured a two-point victory and tied the series at two games apiece.  

That’s where we stand today. It’s become a three-games series.

We’ve come a long way since the All-Star break. Back then, the Celtics were clinging onto the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and now they’re two wins away from reaching their third finals in the last five years.

I don’t care if you’re a Heat fan or a Lakers fan, you have to respect the Celtics refusal to ever roll over and die. This team isn’t going down until they’re bodies are dragged off the court.

I’ve learned one thing watching this team play over the last five seasons: Never count them out.

At one point the Pierce, Garnett and Allen era seemed to be all bout over. However, this team has continued to amaze its fans with their strength and togetherness. Whether they win it all or lose to the Miami Heat; they’ve been a joy to watch.