End of the road.

I've mentioned before in this blog about my love for all things celtics, so it should come as no surprise that I am still reeling from last week's game 7 finals loss to the Lakers.

The damn Lakers.

Maybe I should be happy that this team even went this far. Just last March, I was silently expecting a first round flameout by the celtics.

Then they started moving up each round, taking down Wade, Lebron & Dwight Howard. We made it to the finals. It was celtics v. lakers. A series for all the marbles. We had to get this.

You know the rest of the story.

Still, it was great to root for a scrappy, feisty team that still had a puncher's chance at the title even until the final minute of the season's last game. I must admit, however, that this playoff run has left me exhausted & deflated.

I really shouldn't complain. They made the finals & I've seen much worse.

In the 90's, I was that awkward teen with a celtic hat, rooting for a 15 win team. Earlier that decade, I collected newspaper clippings about Reggie Lewis, the team's young star, collapsing on the court then dying of a heart condition.

There was coach M.L. Carr (gag!), coach Rick Pitino (blech!), a season's worth of tanking for a shot at the Tim Duncan lottery (and ending up with Ron Mercer), team captain & mr. celtic: Rick Fox, uncle Dominique Wilkins & his #12 celtic jersey, John freaking Bagley & then future savior, Vin Baker.

whew, I'm tired.

But come november, you can bet I'll be at it again. Rooting for the team in green.

I'll be ready.

Welcome to life as a celtic fan, kid.

first round musings

things i learned from the first round of the nba playoffs:

- though i am a long time sportsnut, i have ZERO experience rooting for a title contender. all the teams i have rooted for (except this year) were never expected to win it all (i.e. past celts teams, every philippine olympic team, barry bonds' sf giants, myself in video game matchups).

- i truly, truly suck at rooting for a winner. it's like swimming for the first time.

- lebron is a monster but the cavs are boring. there is no passing or set plays. just.give.ball.to.lebron - get.out.of.way - watch.him.score. boring.

- i will forever hate the lakers.

- work productivity will take a dive as long as the celts are in the hunt. potential catch 22.

- i miss the warriors. i do not miss dallas.

- the tv does not shout back even when you shout at it during games. my tv has good manners.

- the wife will slowly get more stressed out as the celtics go deeper because she has caught the celtic bug. even as she's trying to avoid it.

- kg needs to shoot more. ray allen should not guard the other team's best player.

- when i change the channel, the celtics will lose the lead.

- when i change the channel, the celtics will take the lead.

- i need to come up with a reply when people say "go celtics" when i (or aymone) is wearing my celtic hat. lame replies so far.

- spurs will win it all (current 0-2 hole in 2nd round is a problem though).

celtics v. lakers

me & 19,000 losers

ray allen free throw. notice the score. bliss.

me, magic & me lucky charm.

the wife & i spent our 3rd anniversary in the belly of the beast (aka staples center). with celtic hat, wristband, converse weapons and a larry jersey, i saw my boys demolish the lakers 110-91.

the teams were sporting throwback jerseys and the lakers even wore short shorts in the first half. jerry west & kareem were in the arena too. good times.

it's going to be hard to top this one.

%#@*&!

DET 87 - BOS 85. 
- should have worn that 33 jersey instead. 
- shouldn't have left in the 3rd quarter to pick up pizza
- shouldn't have stood up in the last 1 minute. The team was looking good while i was on my back.

next time, i should know better.

rashweed!

big game alert

my boys in green (20-2) will be battling THE east finals contender today, the detroit pistons (17-7). a certified litmus test for the celtics in this young season. so you can be rest assured that for 3 hours this afternoon, i will be glued to the tv and blowing off any responsibilites or duties i should be doing. 

and if you're wondering, that is an nba fantasy league trophy (a what?!) beside my bird bobblehead. -- awkward silence -- maybe i shouldn't have shared that. i know, it's sad and i need help.... but not until the end of the season! 

bring on the bad boys. now, do i wear the #33 or the #34 jersey for good luck? i feel that these are important questions.

banner 17

basketball season. finally.
the celtics are finally on the map! kg and ray allen in celtic green. i don't expect a ring (yet), but now we have a chance. the suns are in disarray, dallas will still choke and its a toss up in the east. the spurs are still the favorite, but they only win in odd-numbered years (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007).

* about the pic.. yeah, i know. i was surprised that paul didn't wear a suit too. i've also been hearing talk about this being the next big 3. i think it's unfair to leave ray allen out.