Celtic Pride

I know I haven't posted in about 13 weeks. And I know I don't have many NBA fans here, if there's anyone left here. But I gotta post about this Celtics-Bulls series.

Game 1 went to overtime in Boston, and the Bulls pulled out a possible series-swinging victory, stealing home-court advantage from the defending champs. However, Boston came back and took game 2, then went to Chicago and blew out the Bulls on their home court to take back that advantage. In game 4, we had yet another overtime game, including not 1 but 2 overtime sessions. Chicago managed to steal that one.

Game 5, these teams decided we needed another overtime session, and luckily the Celtics used the home-court to get the 3-2 series lead.

And finally, back in Chicago last night, we had a triple-OT thriller which was basically decided when The Ugliest Man on Earth (Joakim Noah) finished a steal and subsequent fast-break three-point play, giving the Bulls a series-tying win. This despite Ray Allen scoring 51 points for the Celtics, including about 7 HUGE three-pointers. AND the Celtics lost 3 players to fouling out.

I think this series has aged me. I have grey hairs now.*

*Actually, about 3 weeks ago, during the middle of my 3-week stint as a 5th grade English teacher, I was in the car with L, and I glanced in the mirror. On my temple I saw a light-colored hair. I turned to L and asked, "Is this a GREY HAIR?? Those damn brats are giving me GREY HAIRS!" I plucked it and it hasn't returned. I think I scared it away. And don't come back, Grey! I'm not even 30. It's not time for you yet.

This series has set new NBA records for overtime games as well as OT periods. Everyone who follows the NBA pretty much agrees that it's the best first-round series ever played. Tom Heinsohn, a Celtics legend who won 9 titles, coached the C's to 2 more, and now calls the games on Comcast Sports New England, was downright giddy by the end of the game last night. Of course, Tommy is known for his blatant homerism, outrageous statements, and just plain ol' silliness. By the end of the game last night, he was giggling about how amazing this series has been, yelling at Celtics players and coaches and apparently even the Bulls cheerleaders, and possibly drinking. Surprisingly, he gave the refs a good grade for the game. Usually, he is the first one to call the referees incompetent or worse.

What's the point of all my rambling? I'm getting there.

Some buddies and I have been planning a guys weekend in Boston for the last couple weeks. A time to spend watching lots of playoff basketball, playing our own basketball, perhaps getting a HR Derby together on nearby little league fields, and just generally carousing about.

A few days ago, one guy who lives in NYC but is from NH, said that he and his Dad would be at game 7 if the series went that long. This morning, he informed us that his Dad had found another 3 tickets.

Tomorrow night. 8pm. Game 7. Celtics-Bulls. I'll be there. It's gonna be awesome.