Behind The Scoreboard - Claude Vinson


Thursday, June 26, 2008
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Behind The Scoreboard
By Claude Vinson

Celtics hang 17th banner

The mayor of Boston dubbed his city “Title Town,” after the Celtics’ triumphant return from the basketball road battles. The city father also said that the metropolis, commonly known as “Bean Town” would have a rolling parade party for the gallant wearers of the green who brought the 17th championship banner to their town.

The “Big Three of the Celtics,” not exactly household names before the NBA playoffs, probably will not have much trouble being recognized by their friends and neighbors. Yeah, they will more than likely have to shell out a dollar-ten for their lattes’ but chances are there will be tons of persons just waiting to serve them. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen showed up huge in the Celtics’ romp through the final series of the playoffs.

At some points, the fans were shaken by the seemingly injury-prone Pierce, Allen and Perkins. One would almost expect to see a life support system parked by the Boston bench. However, when an injured or banged up Celtic was carted off because of a damaged limb or poked eye, it wasn’t long before he would be running, yeah, running, from the locker room to reclaim his respective place on the court or oak. A study in determination and dedication.

Prior to the sixth game in Boston, the L.A supporters refused to see the handwriting on the wall or throw in the towel. Their headed-for-the-Hall of Fame head coach, Phil Jackson, told his players that they could very well be the ones to defy all the odds and be that only team in NBA history which won after a 3-1 deficit. Lofty ambitions and totally expected from a mentor who needed that series to pass Red Auerbach.

And the coach on the other side’s only ambition was to win number 17. Coach Doc Rivers, who had bounced around the league as a player for 13 years and as a coach for the last nine, had faced the bleakness which sometimes surfaces in high profile sports. Just a scant year ago, Rivers’ team won a pitiful 24 games and then lost out in the draft. However, the Celtics’ management team, headed by a former Celtics champion, Danny Ainge, had his back. Through some adroit horse trading, they put Boston on just what might be a return to the glory days.

Maybe a team which we know could benefit from a conference with the Celtics. Like, you know, have your people call my people.

Right?

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