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Twelve league titles since 2001 and you can add five more of our university hockey champions to BC and BU over the same period. Not to mention 17 championships of conference or league of professional level and more.
Yes, over the past two decades, we have truly learned what a champion looks like, and as a sports fan, it was a real privilege to live. Well beyond anything I could have hoped for in the dark years of the 90s, I literally wondered if I would ever see another championship in this city. Then came the turn of the century. Privileged indeed.
This privilege works both ways.
As fans and fans of the sport in Boston, we are well privileged, but the players who have the opportunity to play in this city, especially now, after all this unprecedented success, are also privileged. Just listen to guys like Rodney Harrison, who recently spoke on air on his New England days and his upcoming induction to the Patriots Hall of Fame. He first played elsewhere, then came here and won, won again and almost won another time. Guys like Harrison who have this kind of perspective perfectly understand the difference between playing Boston and experiencing less intense markets. They cherish their opportunities to play in front of sold-out crowds where enthusiasm has never waned, not even after 12 championships, ducks and perpetual feuds in all four sports.
In the case of Kyrie Irving, however, this theme does not seem to resonate.
After a series of third-quarter collapses over the past week, the tent has finally collapsed for good on the frustrating season of the 2018-2019 Celtics and I simply can not overcome the long face sad, bitter and mean to the leader of the Celtics. "In Irving. Kyrie, it's unfair, but it's clear to him that he just does not want to be here and after analyzing all the factors to consider, I say it's a good storeroom.
I can now hear Glenn Ordway say that the Celtics have only a chance to build around Irving. That the only way to do it is to get Anthony Davis and you can not get it unless you have Irving up. Given the operation of the NBA and the need to over-acquire and consolidate the talents of superstars, this makes sense, but it is not good or pleasant.
Danny Ainge has built this story since his passing of the new Big Three era in 2013. All our respects, Kris Humphries, but the first year has been awaited. Since then, however, small steps forward have been made. Writing by Marcus Smart, adding Jae Crowder, trading for Isaiah Thomas, signing Al Horford, writing Jaylen Brown, then Jason Tatum and trading Thomas for Kyrie Irving. Add to the parade and the near-absence of acquiring Kevin Durant and finally Gordon Hayward. This construction of the Celtics was a joyful round of fun aimed directly at this banner of the 18th championship. Last year, they were very close, despite the injuries inflicted on their two famous players.
Joy to the world! The Celtics have come!
Then, this season has passed …
I'm sorry, but in a league that is so predictable that the teams with the superstars are fighting over and all the others are just filling the rankings, I'm not impressed by the Celtics led by Irving. This amplifies the unfulfilled expectations following the post-season Celtics 2018. What a walk and what an impression. This positive impact was so profound and so nicely different from what the NBA has prepared us to wait year after year. The contrast between the two seasons is striking. Just a year ago, the future of the championship was at hand. It looks like now that they have taken a giant step.
The 2017-18 Celtics were so easy to love while the 2018-19 Celtics were even easier to dislike. It's like driving the T on a hot summer day after a first class. No fun, not at all.
We know what a championship team looks like. In addition, we recognize the subtle differences of each of our championship teams. Given the total embarrassment of the riches we have in this city, the Celtics 2018 team had exactly what a fan base like ours needed to keep the championship light going. They were outsiders. Too powerful and they were still miles away from their main. This whole story has instilled hope for the future while fully satisfying our thirst in every game, especially in the playoffs.
Fast forward.
Let's be honest, after seeing the failure of this season and the contrast with last season's absolute enthusiasm and enjoyment, I do not want to encourage a Celtics team created in a lab with prima donna like Irving and Davis. The birds of a feather assemble and the evidence shows me that Irving is an emotional anchor for this team and in this locker room. Let's be honest, it's not like he's hiding it. The man is miserable and creates a miserable culture that has clearly infected this team. Show me a moment of adversity this season and I'll show you a Celtics team that has resigned, which is horribly similar to Celtic. Even in the best conditions of the season, the smile was not common.
No more for me, thank you. I'll wait a little Banner 18 if I have it too and look rather a team that I really want to see win this championship. Give me Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart, Al Horford and a playmaker who can get the ball to them where they need it. Heck, maybe the real Gordon Hayward will actually be out of the dark shadow of Boston's current alpha dog, Kyrie Irving. Highlight the word dog.
Players must be reminded that it is a privilege to play in Boston and that Irving missed his chance. I'm not even sure he's had his best shot several nights of the season, especially in the last four games. I know this, however, the energy level of this team has never matched that of last year and when it does, I look directly at their so-called leader.
Related: Why does not Kyrie Irving plan to stay in Boston?
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