Happy St. Patrick's Day everybody!! On this, the holiday that is easily the most Boston Celtic-like holiday of them all, I think it's time to look at things from a greener point of view. Recently, I have sensed an overload of negative karma invading not only Celticsblog but the Boston Celtics world as a whole. The doomsday alarmists are out in full force both here in our very Green community and amongst the national and local pundits who consider themselves NBA and basketball afficiandos.

But along with some of the challenges that have faced this team is a host of positives that can not be denied that lead me to believe that we should be a bit more upbeat and feeling rather great about our local hardcourt five today. Here are some things that I think one should ponder while drinking your green ale today down at the local Irish pub while singing "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling":

1.) Rajon Rondo - Last year before the season most everyone except for a few real Rondo fanatics(see MikeDfromNP and maybe myself) thought that the weakest link in the Celtics ever winning a title would be one Rajon Rondo. Well, they won the title and this year, Rondo has emerged on the scene as not only a proven champion but now is probably one of the top 5 PGs in the league. A Celtic STAR was born this year with the emergence of Rondo as not only the offensive floor general of this team but also as the player all future(read post Big Three) Celtic championship teams will be built around until he retires.

2.) Ray Allen - last year Ray was damn good. This year Ray Allen is the Ray Allen people in Milwaukee and Seattle remember as being a dominant SG with the sweetest stroke they have ever seen. His shot is a thing of beauty. He never seems to tire. His game looks effortless. And he is the best free throw shooter we have seen around here since Bird. And he might be a better FT shooter than Bird, maybe the best to ever wear Celtic Green.

If there was ever a reason to feel great about this current Celtic team it's that these two players will be bringing a more prominent and deadly effective game into the playoffs this year than they did last year. But that's not the only reasons to feel good.

3.) Leon and Baby - Our undersized power forward combination have both struggled but also taken major leaps forward. They both can still be inconsistent, but when they are consistent, they are consistently better than they were. Leon's post work and Baby's outside perimeter game have taken major leaps forward this year. Given that when a team has young bench role players, all the team can really ask from them is to do their roles and continue to do them better and better. Well both have accomplished that and have gone beyond. KG's injury has shown that both players can be counted on when times get tough and when it is time to strap the boots tighter and work that much harder. Their strength and play are two reasons the Celtics haven't gone into a severe tailspin since the rash of injuries. Treading water at .500 over the last few weeks might not seem like much but when a team loses a third of their roster to injury and can still play .500, that's incredible.

4.) The heart of a champion - never count out this aspect to this team. Champions wade through adversity and then emerge from the din stronger and more determined than ever. They always have. They don't give up. They don't lay down. And they fight to the end. If the two games against Orlando and Miami and the game against Cleveland recently taught us anything it's that this team has the heart, grit, determination and strength of Celtic Pride and Celtic Champions past. They have raised a banner and are still very much not ready to relinquish their hold on the title of World Champions. Hit them, the hit back. Push them and expect to be pulling yourself off the floor. Taunt them and it only motivates them. It doesn't matter where this team will be playing playoff games. All that matters is that they will be playing playoff games. Celtic Pride and the heart of a champion should never be counted out or taken too lightly by others. They are tangible entities that need to be overcome by Celtic adversaries. Good luck to them doing that.

5.) Team health and timing- last I checked the calendar said it was St Patrick's Day and not the IRS deadline day. A lot can happen in a month. A month in the NBA is a long, long time. KG, Tony, and Baby will return before that month is over and they will be healthy and they will be able to get their legs underneath them in that time. Meanwhile, as they recupperate, Marbury and Moore will get acquainted with their new team mates and the Celtic game. As of right now, their additions haven't exactly thrilled most but over the last two games signs are coming out that suggest Marbury is indeed committed to the defensive game and getting his legs in NBA form and that Moore's jumper can be a weapon for a good 6 points or so a game. As people get healthy, as others get used to their roles and games and as the season winds down, the timing of all these things could point towards the Celtics hitting the post season as ready, as healthy and as loaded as when they had their 19 game winning streak and post Xmas slump run of great play. Twice this year this team has stomped through the competition. Three times a charm and the timing is pointing towards another occurance of this happening again.

6.) Paul, Perk, Doc, Eddie, Coach T, the Garden crowd, and everything and everyone else - Besides the five things I already listed I'll just jumble together a Finals MVP, a former Coach of the Year, a future All NBA Defensive team center on first or second team, and a myriad of World Champs and factors that just can't be ignored. This team is loaded but at the moment it is sick. Let's not forget what this team is like when it is not sick or when it feels cornered. They are a tough bunch that is going to go down swinging if they go down at all.

In closing, I think it's important to remember that the future is not the present and that time heals all wounds and is the all important factor in the way that people judge things. On Dec 24th, 2008, people judged this team as unstoppable. Two weeks later, people were wondering if they would ever win another game. Three weeks after that, they were the best of the best playing better than at any point over the last copuple of years but still not to their full potential. And now, the wagon is getting a little spacier with a bit more elbow room. Time moves on and  so will the Celtics. This season is far from over and it's about time people realize that it's not June. It's not May! It's not even APRIL!!!. It's St Patrick's Day, the Celtics have 50 wins, they have some games left to tune up for the dance and they have time to heel and meld together.

So stop with the negative karma and remember why you are a Celtic fan and why last year was so special and think just how special this year is going to feel in June after the Celtics win it all again and that you'll be able to say, "WOW, I can't believe I ever doubted this team! I can't believe I ever ruled them out! I will never make that mistake ever again!!" Because that will be happening. Don't let Cavalier and Laker love get under your skin and break your resolve. Let them have their better records and home court. We are the WORLD CHAMPION BOSTON CELTICS!! IT'S ST PATRICK'S DAY!! AND WE WILL NOT BE BEATEN!!! Think it enough and support the team enough and it will come true.

Erin Go Bragh!! 

Go Celtics!!

Today's a green day, make your outlook a little greener today and all the days to come!!