THIS LEAGUE: The Celtics Decided To Play "Why Can't We Be Friends" During Their Shootaround Before Tonight's Battle With Jaylen Brown
Unless you've been living under a rock, you are well aware that we have World War III tonight in the NBA with the Celtics and Sixers playing their first "real" matchup of the season. I know they met twice in the preseason, but none of that shit counts or matters. Tonight, we get the good stuff. Both sides are rested, both sides are fully healthy, and given everything that's happened since July, you won't find a bigger regular season game than what's going down tonight in Philly.
It's going to be toxic as hell, both fanbases are busting at the seams to get their agendas off based on how things shake out, its' essentially the real life version of this meme
And yes, while a normal well adjusted individual would tell you that this is 1 of 82 for both teams and that the results of a mid November matchup doesn't really mean anything in terms of what might happen with either team in the Spring, we don't need to lie. It's a big game for both the teams and the fans. It will be big for the Sixers if they show out and win, and it will be big for the Celtics if they go on the road and take down a fully healthy Sixers superteam. It's OK to have stakes! It's OK to admit it's a big game before you know how your favorite team did! That's what makes it so fun!
In reality, this game is bigger than just the whole Tatum/Jaylen angle. The Sixers and Celtics are two of the best teams in the East. As is the case with all the top teams, H2H records are going to matter. Seeding could very well be tight come the Spring, and as we've seen your entire postseason run can be determined by where you fall in the seeding. Given H2H is the first tie breaker, it adds an additional layer of juice or importance for all regular season matchups between this caliber of teams. So yeah, it's 1 of 82, but it's a damn important 1 of 82.
Having said that, I'm no dummy. I realize the main attraction tonight is Tatum vs Brown given everything that's happened and the supposed "beef". While there are other important factors to consider, that obviously gets top billing, and for good reason. It's the first time in a decade they'll be facing off against one another. After 10 years of trying to split them up, now they're split up and play on rival teams. One side blames the other for everything that happened. The other side keeps trying to take the high road. The discourse is as toxic as it gets.
Which is why I have no choice but to applaud whoever was in charge of the music during the Celtics shootaround this morning. This is A+ stuff
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I have to imagine the Celtics decide what to play during their shootaround right? Either way, this was most definitely not an accident or coincidence. It's a pretty funny troll considering Jaylen's continued pursuit of this weird beef with Jayson Tatum despite, ya know, all of this being a result of Brad Stevens and not Jayson Tatum. Blaring "Why Can't We Be Friends" in the arena of the guy who is trying to beef with you is a pretty good troll.
But here's what I also know. Don't do troll shit like this and then lay an egg. While this may seem like a harmless song during shootaround, we're not dumb. It was chosen for a reason, so now there's an additional level of pressure to get the job done. I'm all for the jokes and all for having confidence, I'm just also going to ask that your execution follows suit.
As someone who very much loved the Jays and wishes this wasn't how their time together came to an end, the game is the game. Tonight may be the first toxic battle between the two sides, but it certainly won't be the last. Finally, all the talk will officially be settled on the court. Check ball.