Soak It Up And Give It Up

by Jeff Clark on May 31, 2008 12:05 AM EDT in Boston Celtics Articles

As a team, you can't celebrate too much. There's still a job to do. The LA Lakers are a formidable opponent. We're a long way away from raising banner number 17 and you have to take that attitude.

Not so for fans. We live for this moment, right here, right now. Soak it up. Revel in it. Drink it. Enjoy it.

I'll be super focused on the task at hand in a few days, but for right now I have nothing but wonderful feelings for this team and what they've done.

How about a hand for Paul Pierce, who has been a Celtic his whole career. He's had his ups and downs and seen the best and worst of times here. Now he's going to the Finals.

How about a hug for Kevin Garnett? He poured out his heart for the Timberwolves for year after year, long after they deserved him. Then he came here and turned night into day. Now he's going to the Finals.

How about a high five for Ray Allen? They said he was washed up. Done. Too old. Slumping at the worst possible time. He picked a real good time to get hot again. Now he's going to the Finals.

How about a head nod to Doc Rivers? (Come on; do it. It won't kill you.) Few coaches have been raked over the coals more than he has in the last few years. I've been up and down on him, but always said that I would love to be proven wrong for doubting him. Now he's going to the Finals.

How about a key to the city for Danny Ainge? It wasn't always clear what he was doing, but he always had one goal in mind. Not just to compete, but to compete for the title. Now he's going to the Finals.

How about an attaboy to Rondo and Perkins? The "other starters" who are still young enough to be excused for occasional mistakes but good enough to run with the big boys and make a difference in their own way. Now they're going to the Finals.

How about an ML Carr towel wave for the bench? Posey led the way with some fantastic defense and timely threes. PJ Brown played the role of savvy vet with no fear. Big Baby, Leon Powe, Eddie House, and even Sam Cassell (well, not much, but still) contributed when and where they could. Now they are going to the Finals.

And last but not least, how about a pat on your own back and on the backs of all the Celtics fans around you. You are some of the best fans around and you have been through a lot of heartache and headaches with this team. Yet this moment is what makes it all worth it. You, my friends, are going to the Finals too.

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maybe is like manny say is our destination ;D

by eddietours on May 31, 2008 12:10 AM EDT reply actions

Game 1: Thursday, June 5 — at Boston (9 p.m., ABC)
Game 2: Sunday, June 8 — at Boston (9 p.m., ABC)
Game 3: Tuesday, June 10 — at Los Angeles (9 p.m., ABC)
Game 4: Thursday, June 12 — at Los Angeles (9 p.m., ABC)
Game 5*: Sunday, June 15 — at Los Angeles (9 p.m., ABC)
Game 6*: Tuesday, June 17 — at Boston (9 p.m., ABC)
Game 7*: Thursday, June 19 — at Boston (9 p.m., ABC)

by Jeff Clark on May 31, 2008 12:11 AM EDT reply actions

Still hard to believe.

You’re right, though. I’m waiting until it’s all over to buy any “_ Champions” merchandise.

by FierceLikePaulPierce on May 31, 2008 12:22 AM EDT reply actions

Hurrah for everyone! Hurrah!

by illantari on May 31, 2008 12:31 AM EDT reply actions

WE GOIN’ SIZZZZZZZZZZZLER

by dobbs on May 31, 2008 12:36 AM EDT reply actions

I cannot wait to slip on my ORIGINAL 1987 I HATE L.A. t-shirt. Still got it and have been waiting for this moment where it’d make some sense to wear it again. I love this game! ;D

by Bleedgreen on May 31, 2008 1:23 AM EDT reply actions

Thanks to Wyc and co. too? This is for Red, Reggie and DJ.

Beat LA! Beat LA! gets goosebumps

by Bent on May 31, 2008 2:42 AM EDT reply actions

i’m so happy i almost cried!it was great to see paul all pumped up and happy like that, it got me really excited.
and i don’t mean to suck up or anything, but how about a hand shake (or something else if you come up with anything better) to jeff and everybody else at celticsblog? i don’t know what i would do without this site.. and now we’re all in the finals!!! ;D

by yodie on May 31, 2008 9:04 AM EDT reply actions

Last night was the first night I was able to sleep well since the playoffs began.

No BS, today is my Birthday. Very nice to be waking up to a world where the Celtics are in the Finals on your Birthday. Nothing can ruin this day for me.

by afflatus on May 31, 2008 9:39 AM EDT reply actions

Thank you Wyc, et al, DANNY, DOC, BOSTON CELTIC PLAYERS, Eddie LaCert, BDoo and Mr Norton, and anyone else in the Celtic family. And thank you for 5 days of rest before the next part of this fabulous journey.

by TrueGreen on May 31, 2008 9:49 AM EDT reply actions

That 4th quarter defense (kudos to Posey) was the stuff of legends. I hope Doc uses House and Powe more vs LA. Does LA have anyone who can press House if he brings the ball up?

by Greg37 on May 31, 2008 10:36 AM EDT reply actions

We want duckboats!

by Walshy on May 31, 2008 12:03 PM EDT reply actions

Thank you to the whole team, that game, especially the 4th quarter, will surely be an ESPN Classic for years to come. P-Double, 789 games in green, I was a little choked up to see him and Doc so emotional after the game. If this isn’t surreal to you, then your not a Boston fan. Amazing. Finally, thanks Jeff for this blog and all the hard work. Reading the posts and comments is a daily part of my life as a C’s fan.

by deejaymc on May 31, 2008 1:44 PM EDT reply actions

I like what you said, Bent. I’m 27 so I was just a bit too young for ‘86. I grew up loving Reggie Lewis, the way he played the game, and the way he helped the Boston community. He doesn’t have the same basketball legacy as the Big Three, but it’s hard to imagine a better role model for a young kid: he was modest and generous, and he always played his heart out — a Celtic in every sense. I’m thankful that I grew up rooting for him, instead of somebody like Kobe. I was crushed as a kid when my favorite player died. I miss him and I hope a little bit of this is for him.

Credit to Paul and Doc. They’ve both had their ups and downs, as far as I’m concerned, but they’re still here and they did it when it counted.

Let’s go get L.A.

by His Reggieness on May 31, 2008 3:25 PM EDT reply actions

Free Eddie! Free Leon!

by cmoney on May 31, 2008 5:55 PM EDT reply actions

Roy,
I am actually in LA and a die hard so I doubt it is the place you live that makes you any way. That is a pretty close minded view of things coming from a moderator. I agree with you about Simmons but do not judge a fan by a place. I bleed green all over Sunny California.

by gridironnation on May 31, 2008 6:30 PM EDT reply actions

His Reggieness said:
I like what you said, Bent. I’m 27 so I was just a bit too young for ‘86. I grew up loving Reggie Lewis, the way he played the game, and the way he helped the Boston community. He doesn’t have the same basketball legacy as the Big Three, but it’s hard to imagine a better role model for a young kid: he was modest and generous, and he always played his heart out — a Celtic in every sense.

Very well said. Reggie was certainly watching and cheering last nite.

by TrueGreen on May 31, 2008 7:47 PM EDT reply actions