Celtics Win By A Zillion, It's Almost Time To Officially Rest Our Starters
(I know technically the Celts haven’t cinched yet, but they 100% have) So if Friday night was supposed to be an example of the Cavs just giving up, then what do we call this? Correct me if I am wrong, but the Cavs are expecting big things from Tristan Thompson, Iman Shumpert, Timofy Mozgov, and Shawn Marion in the playoffs right? I’ll say it again, 90 percent of the Cavs team blows, the only problem is that 10% is literally the best player on the planet. But this isn’t about the Cavs, it’s about a group of guys coming together and peaking at the right time. Here is what we learned while taking yet another step towards clinching a mother fucking playoff spot…
Today, we celebrate. There will be a lot of debate in the next few weeks if this whole thing was even worth it. Does it make sense to give yourself a worse draft pick to potentially only extend your season by a week or two? It’s a complicated answer. On one side I don’t think the Celtics get a much worse player in the draft by making the playoffs which is nice, what is not nice is that lower pick is not as attractive to buyers. If our 6 and 17 weren’t enough to land Love, you hate to voluntarily hurt your trade value.
The other side is strictly fueled by hope. What if they pulled a round one upset? What about 2 rounds? Shit, the Sox just did it. We’ve seen this story before, with the ’12 team, and we all remember how fun that run was (fuck you #STERN). Maybe that happens again, because let’s face it this team is playing fantastic basketball.
The Celtics have the most wins in the Eastern Conference since Feb 2nd. As I said here, they have a top 3 record since the All Star Break. But to me what is most impressive is how the Celts have played down the stretch..
Coming off that disaster against the Clippers, the Celts season was at a turning point. This friends, is what you see when a team has not checked out. Anti-tanking if you will. The Celtics could have easily mailed it in after that Clippers game, and decide the lottery was the smart thing to do. Every game during this stretch was a must win.
I can’t wait to hear how everyone knew the Celtics would finish this strong. That they always had them in the playoffs. That’s bullshit.
Now I ask you, why shouldn’t the third best team in the conference be considered in a series? Playoffs in any sport are about who is playing the best at the moment. Look at the Spurs. Their record gives them a 5 seed, but in reality the way they are playing right now you could argue they are the favorite.
And yes, I know the Celtics aren’t the Spurs, even by a mile. But I do know they are playing some of the best basketball in the East. I know that their backs were up against the wall down the stretch of the season and despite it all they responded and are going to make the goddamn playoffs. Some choose to rebuild by being absolutely terrible. I prefer the rebuild where who knows maybe a crazy run will happen they’ll win a title.
Whatever happens from here on out, this season was both the best and worst of my life. Somehow Trader Danny pulled it off, and we are a better team now than we were to open the year and have an opportunity to keep on playing. In the NBA you have to earn your way up, and I am sure I am not alone in saying I am a bit surprised our first step arrived so soon.
GO CELTICS.