The Boston Celtics went 66-16 this past season, the best mark in the league by 7 games (2. Pistons) and the only team to finish with 60 wins. Everyone in the NBA “world” knows the Celtics and GM Danny Ainge were the most active and productive team in the 2007 offseason.
On Draft night in ‘07, the Celtics knew they didn’t get what they originally wanted – the first overall pick – and that ended up being the best thing that happened to their franchise in this decade. The Celtics traded the draft rights to Jeff Green (5th overall pick), Delonte West, and a pricy Wally Szcerbiak (to balance salary in deal) to the Seattle Sonics for Ray Allen and the draft rights to Glenn Davis (who had an arguably better season than Szcerbiak – factoring in expectations.)
Then, Boston made one of the biggest moves in franchise history, and this is potentially the deepest franchise of history in the Association. The Celtics shipped off a handful of youngsters – guards Sebastian Telfair (former 13th overall pick) and Gerald Green, forward Ryan Gomes, center Theo Ratliff (big contract to get closer to balanced cash in deal), and a potential franchise player, Al Jefferson, who was taken two picks after Telfair in 2004. The Celtics also sent two late-round bound first round picks for one of the greatest, most hyper, energy-filled, heart-about-to-explode, most physical players of all time – Kevin “KG” Garnett.
Now to go along with Paul Pierce, the Celtics had a “Big 3” in place with Pierce, Allen, and Garnett. This new trio made the headlines everywhere, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, NBA.com, SLAM, and more. The Celtics had in place a team that should and will contend, pending chemistry issues, if there would be any.
Going 66-16, including a 35-6 mark at home, the best in the Eastern Conference. Signing players along the way such as sharpshooters James Posey and Eddie House, and two veterans with playoff experience in Sam Cassell and P.J. Brown, all making key impacts in the regular season, and in the playoffs.
Come Playoff time, the Celtics looked good, really good. With high confidence and playing great all, not to mention, well rested, the Celtics were the #1 seed in the East, and the whole NBA.
However, the Celtics struggled in Round One against a young Atlanta Hawks, winning in 7 games, also winning in 7 in the Conference Semifinals against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Quick Fact: Through a midseason trade with Seattle, (and Chicago) the Cavaliers acquired guards Wally Szcerbiak and Delonte West. Both went to Seattle in the Ray Allen Trade. Delonte was great in the series, Szcerbiak, well, was not.
The anticipated matchup in the Eastern Conference all season, the Celtics vs. the Pistons, had come true. The hype was there, but the performance doesn’t get an A+. (Or a B+.) The series was quite a bore, but still entertained. The Celtics eliminated the Pistons in Detroit in Game 6 and were off to the NBA Finals to meet Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers were drawing wins in predictions from most analysts, but Coach Doc Rivers had the confidence in his team to execute in the Finals. All year long, Rivers expressed, “we're just trying to be ready later." And ready later, the Celtics were.
The Celtics took a commanding 3-1 series lead in the NBA Finals on June 12. Many admitting, including myself, Jamal Mashburn, and more, that they did not expect:
- The Celtics to be this good
- The Lakers to be this bad
The Celtics lockdown defense, which had been their backbone all season, was stellar in the first 4 games of the series, including the Game 3 loss, which has given Boston the opportunity to end the series in 5 games, rather than 4. Even if they lose, they’ll have the series lead, and two chances at home to beat the Lakers and capture the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Well, I tried to finish this article while the series was in L.A. The Celtics got poor play and foul trouble from Garnett, as well as foul trouble from Pierce, but he played like the Finals MVP, scoring 38 points on 10-22 shooting. The next highest point total for a Celtic was Ray Allen, with 16 points, 22 less than Pierce. Garnett missed a few clutch tip-ins late, but most of all, couldn’t sink 3 free throws that may have shifted the balance of the game. Kobe Bryant had a big, big steal on Paul Pierce and got a fast break dunk late, but on replay, we saw Kobe hit Pierce’s arm, another missed call – but hey! If we go back there have been missed calls (many) both ways. So, we go back to Boston.
The Celtics look to end the series and win the title and the Lakers look to play a hard game 6 and force a winner-take-all seventh game.
Let’s look back on my ending to my last part of this article.
“And the Lakers look to play a hard game 6 and force a winner-take-all seventh game.”
For anyone wondering, yes, I did indeed pencil those words in before the Boston Massacre of Game 6.
The Boston Celtics bore me. Wait, no. The Los Angeles Lakers bore me. Wait, the NBA Finals bored me. Wait, the NBA Finals Game 6 bored me. Wait, I forgot to eat breakfast this morning.
The Boston Celtics Defense was tremendous for the majority of the series, even in their game 3 and 5 losses, they arguably outplayed the Lakers. Anyway, in Game 6, the Celtics had a chance to shorten my article and win the NBA Finals. I would be kidding myself, TalkHoops, the NBA, David Stern, and myself if I said this NBA Finals Closing game was a success or an enjoyment. (That is, until the post game interviews with Garnett) The Celtics convincingly won game 6 131-92 and were crowned NBA Champions.
Kevin Garnett was stellar in so many ways, with 26 points and 14 rebounds, a much deserved double-double.
Ray Allen tied an NBA Finals record with 7 3-pointers in game 6, finishing with 26 points on 8-12 total shooting. (Only one field goal not a 3-pointer.)
He struggled in the clincher, but still got the “bonus mark” he wanted. Finals MVP, and well deserved Finals MVP, Paul Pierce got his first championship and rightfully earned his #34 to be put up near the roof with other Celtic greats. Bill Russell, of course Danny Ainge (Celtics GM) and other former Boston Celtic players were in the house cheering and congratulating the Franchise’s 17th title. (Note: Phil Jackson is tied with Red Auerbach with 9 NBA Championships. Auerbach was a Celtic of course and Jackson a Laker. Ironic, huh?
The Boston Celtics were the best team record-wise in the league this year, and came out on top as champions. With the Big three in stake for a few more title runs, I feel Boston has a great chance to appear in the Finals next season, repeat, and capture the 18th title in the clubs history-filled history.
Former Marquette Grad Doc Rivers, coach of the Celtics, seems to have the relationship with his players that every coach should have. From being a player in the NBA to knowing the roster from top to bottom, Rivers implemented a system that got him, his staff, and his team, a world championship.
Another key factor is most of the high-contributing Celtics core will be returning. However, unrestricted free agents Eddie House, James Posey, Sam Cassell, P.J., and Scott Pollard may test the market or in some cases, retire. (Note: Leon Powe is under limited Salary Protection.
Once again, credit to Danny Ainge. Also, the Celtics got a tad of “fortunation” with the Sonics taking the chance on Jeff Green (not enough) and with the Timberwolves taking in a handful of youth (you think they have enough???) for all-time greats Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, who now have a ring to their resume.
The Boston Celtics were very good this season, but with the clock ticking on their stars’ careers, it’s time for the Celtics to make another push, and they will be ready.
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