When we had Causeway Day this year and spent the time we’d be at the Celtics game over at the Hong Kong doing karaoke, I really didn’t miss basketball. In fact when camp was supposed to open over a month ago and games were canceled, I didn’t miss basketball.
The thing is, we’ve been so spoiled in the area with winners, that if going into the season you know you’re team isn’t going to win it all, you tend to not have an interest. Now we’re of the advantage that we have owners that want their teams to succeed unlike some places where the team is just an income stream for the owner (think pre-lockout Bruins).
So coming into this season, I really feel this is it for the Celtics. The Big Three were on their last legs two years ago and I feel that now, it’s just a farewell tour.
Danny tried to get the team in a better position. He tried to dump Rondo and Green and get himself CP3. Which in a dream scenario would entice Dwight Howard to come to Boston next year. That would solidify your team for the next decade. Alas, it didn’t happen. CP3 was shipped to the Lakers, then vetoed by the league (where part of me still saw a Boston trade alive) now the rumor is the Clippers. Howard on the other hand was on his way to the Lakers, and now maybe doesn’t want to be traded.
They have Jeff Green (“queue the duckboats” he says sarcastically) and Rondo. Both young but only one of them can score. So the future after the big three in my head is #7 or #8 seed teams that struggle to 40 or so wins, squeak into the playoffs, maybe make some noise, but ultimately are ousted in the first or second round.
The Big Three’s farewell tour isn’t going to end in a banner raising. There are way too many back to back games on their shortened schedule. Sure KG may be OK till March, but then his mileage will start to show. Had you nabbed David West, maybe you look a little better, but you lost him to the Pacers because you tried to package Gentle Jermaine’s corpse in a sign and trade with New Orleans.
So the Celts missed out on CP3, essentially Howard because of it, and lost out on West. They don’t have a legit center on the roster and their stars are aging.
So why am I happy basketball is back? I’m not. But at least it will give me something to watch when football season is over, the Bruins have a night off, and the race to fourth place hasn’t started for the Red Sox.
Basketball, you’re winter time filler. And nothing more.
