Could it be any better?

[bird <birdwl@earthlink.net>]

Could the team have a better season?  Eliminating the playoff drought, 
sweeping LA -- it just doesn't get any better than that for me.  Sure, 
they could have won more games, but you've got to leave them some goals 
for the regular season next year.  Now, perhaps, comes the new era, an era 
where we are actually concerned with the playoffs, because we're in 'em.  
I'm not saying the team ought to concentrate on the playoffs to the 
exclusion of the regular season next year, as the reg season obviously 
determines playoff seeds, but maybe, just maybe we've turned the corner 
and the playoffs will be a familar arena.

Maybe, just maybe the Boston Celtics are finally, once again, at least a 
playoff team.  Of course, respect and a real title of "playoff team" can 
be applied when the team wins a playoff series, either this year or next.  
Anyway, this is all I've wanted for some time now.  Sure, championships 
are the ultimate goal, but you've got to crawl before you can walk, and 
walk before you can run.  The way I see it, we've have three good 
championship runs (Russel's teams -- obviously, Havilcek, Cowens and the 
boys in the Seventies, and then Bird, and then Parish and McHale in the 
Eighties).  Other franchises can't compare.  Sure, the Lakers had even 
more runs (maybe four or five) but don't have near the total amount of 
rings (who does?), and they've wanted to distance themselves from their 
Minneapolis roots for some time so I say let them.  Chicago had their one 
good run, Portland had one, Knicks had one or two, Rockets, etc.  I'm not 
saying these teams can't compete again for a championship -- I sure would 
like to see the Celtics do so -- but if the Boston Celtics never won an 
NBA championship again, the franchise would still be a part of history -- 
and the best part of basketball history.

Anyway, the playoff scene's still murky, but it''s likely Charlotte, or 
Milwaukee, or Philly will be the foe.  I'll tell you who I'd like to face:
  Orlando.  Or Toronto.  But the latter ain't gonna happen, and I don't 
think Orlando will slip enough either.  The three likeliest teams are all 
dangerous.  Charlotte's on a surge, but have the monkey wrench of their 
(lack of) homecourt advantage -- even when they're playing at home, 
because of the lack of fans in the seats.  But that means they've become 
an even better road team.  Dangerous for a playoff team with the homecourt.
   The Hornets have guys who have been there before and Mashburn just 
recently returned.  They're the East's sleeper, I think, not unlike last 
year.

And who knows, Philly could be it together, *and* they seem to match up 
well against us.  Except when the C's take Tommy's advice and draw Motumbo 
out.  Iverson's going to return for the playoffs, isn't he?  Philly's 
dangerous, but I don't think they'll burst out of the East.  Not much 
consolation if they beat us in the first round, though.  Then there's the 
Bucks.  Formerly a good team, and maybe they still are.  What a slide, 
though: from Division-leading almost all year, to a possible seventh seed.
   Yes, they may just have gotten tired with George Karl and given up on 
him.  Still, if the Big Three break out and/or Anthony Mason starts 
fitting in well, they could win a series or two.  But I have this feeling 
they've really given up.  Oh, they won't admit it publicly, maybe they don'
t admit it to each other or even themselves, but I think their lethargy 
will hurt them most in an area that wasn't all that tight to begin with: 
defense.  They may still score a lot of points, maybe out of professional 
or personal pride, but I think they might roll over when it comes to 
playing at the other end.  That seems to match well with a Boston Celtics 
team that can, at times, compete or surpass them offensively, and also can 
be better defenders.

I guess I think they have the best chance against the Bucks.  But it'll 
just be great watching the C's in the second season.

Bird