The Rise And Fall of the Boston Celtics

From the title-clinching season in 2007-08 to the present playoff scenario in 2011-12, the Celtics have seen it all. The Big three comprising of the ever dominant Kevin Garnett the ‘Truth’, ‘Mr.Dependable’ Paul Pierce and Ray Allen,who perhaps has the best shooting style, grasped the Celtic franchise it’s record setting 17th NBA Championship.

They had said it out loud that “yes,we are here”. They had come face to face with the best the NBA could offer and had superimposed their domination. But since then , the journey hasn’t been all that smooth. Even after having a great 62-20 (win-loss) record in the 2008-2009 regular season, they went on to loose to the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference semis. The critics did what they do best, overlooking the fact that the Celtics had an outstanding regular season.

Moving on, the Celtics looked as if they had risen from the ashes. They had a brilliant run throughout the regular season (although they lost 32 games, but they looked a lot different with the emergence of Rondo as their capable point guard). The Celtics reached the finals and faced their arch rivals, the LA Lakers. The series went down to the wire and the Celtics lost 4-3. It was an absolute heartbreak for each and every Celtic fan. However the series gave not just hope to the fans, but also raised some serious questions. Were the Celtics becoming too old to play? Were they a bit too dependent on the Big three?

The next season raised the eyebrows even more. Celtics lost in the Eastern semis. The fans were disappointed. The Celtics tried to rejuvenate the team by bringing in the legendary Shaquille O’Neal and the mini-dynamite Nate Robinson. But it didn’t help their cause and they were eventually let go. The 2011-12 season began with the same question. Were the Celtics too old to challenge for the title? And it haunted them.

The Celtics had a 39-27 run in 66 games this season. They played a whole lot different after the All-Star break. It looks like they are giving a final go for the conference finals if not for the title itself. The Celtics need to find the answers to the questions being thrown at them. And with an extremely talented and sought after point guard Rajon Rondo remaining committed with the side, the franchise and Sir Doc Rivers must look forward to building their team around Rondo. If they achieve it, the Celtics could be a strong force to be reckoned with. With the writer being a die-hard Celtic fan, I look forward to the Boston Celtics becoming one of the greatest Championship winning team ever.