NBA Finals: Observation #3, Tome to Paul Pierce

You know how there's all those naysayers out there goin' "Nah, this is not nearly as good as the 80s match up." or "This is all hype." or "Those guys were genuine players, these guys are..." BLAH BLAH BLAH

While I completely agree that Kobe sux and is a good player but as an athlete to follow is rather boring (except for that weird creepy scandal back in the early aughts that landed his way-too-young wife a diamond the size of a landing strip), I have deep objections to criticism of the Celtics player, specifically Paul Pierce.

Um, hi, the guy heard his knee POP, sprained his knee, got carried off the RED AUERBACH court, only to heroically return and deliver a total of 22 points (I think that's what they said.)

Yeah, these players are SOOOOOOOO selfish.

Eat it, old naysayers. Eat it.

The most endearing thing was while Pierce was on his exercise bike on the side of the court, the portly middle aged fan next him -- who you could tell was thrilled -- said something to him and I was so worried that Pierce would be a disengaged player, concentrating on his knee and the game only. Instead, he laughed at the guy's comment and patted him on the shoulder then went back to concentrating on his knee and the game. Loved that. Loved.

I'm gonna get a little mushy here, so bare with me. Do you remember when Pierce almost died, back when he first arrived? Because he was a punk who went to da club and got stabbed? That was lame. Everyone collectively rolled their eyes, shook their heads, pursed their lips and turned on the Red Sox, Patriots or Bruins games instead.

I turn you now to opening day at the Garden, with the unvailing of the new Red Auerbach court and Paul Pierce dedicating this season to him. There was a wisdom and a maturity to his leadership (see, I told you I would get mushy), a selflessness very uncommon to the NBA. And it is THAT that makes this team so special. In the face of showboating ball hogging dbs 'n thugs (not my term, but the general public's term) this is a team that eschewed such assholery (made up word) and decided instead to play with each other for the common purpose of reviving a Dynasty, in the memory of a beloved & wise coach.

For this reason, I say, go forth and be unabashedly excited about the rising of the Celtics, after 21 years of blandness and disappointment. This is no fluke. Such a valiant turn around doesn't "just happen". It is a magic of chemistry, hard work, team work, gourmet Chinese food eating (see previous post) intelligent coaching and a SPIRIT of driveness that was created for stability. This is just the first year we see the Celtics make it very far into the playoffs, if not all the way. Mark my words. No matter what happens over all at the end of this season, this is a team that is now built to last, and last it will.

Okie dokie, I'm tired of being on this soap box and my violin has a broken string.

Good night!!!