Bye Bye Celtics?

Every Boston fan knew it was coming. They dreaded it since the Summer '08, right after the biggest blowout in NBA Finals history. And how could they not? They probably didn't think it would come this quick, but it was obvious from the start that the end of the resurrection of Boston basketball was coming to an end. Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers did what they could to bring back pride into arguably the greatest NBA franchise the world has ever seen, and they knew they were bringing in aging superstars.

The plan was to give up the future for the present, to make a strong push for a 17th banner. The result: it worked. Kevin Garnett was the Defensive Player of the Year, Paul Pierce was the Finals MVP, and the Celtics tore through their opponents all season long for 66 wins, easily first place in the leagues. They had some trouble with Atlanta in the first round of the Playoffs, but soon enough, it all ended with celebration at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers. Game 6: Final score 131-92, Boston wins.

What's the "it" I've been talking about? The breakdown of a championship-caliber team. Want another example? Check out the 21-38 Detroit Pistons, who went to like 57 consecutive Eastern Conference Finals before last year, two Finals appearances, and one championship. Pretty decent resume, if you ask me. 

The C's are still in the upper crust of Eastern Conference  teams, but for how long? Check out their latest disappointment and you'll know what I mean. Really, guys? The Nets?? Is that even possible when you have Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo on your roster? Are you guys just bored, as Chris Forsberg puts it? I'm ashamed to even admit that I actually thought Boston would go all the way this year and compete for another banner. Rasheed Wallace isn't who he was supposed to be, Marquis Daniels has been fighting injuries, and Kevin Garnett is moving like he's been shot. Are those all the problems? Of course not, and the list goes on and on. 

As Sekou Smith puts it, "the end is near (now?) in Boston." Too bad they couldn't put together one last push for banner 18, especially with the talent Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins have suddenly emerged with. Well then, good bye Boston, it was a good run.