Danny Ainge, Doc Rivers and those indomitable Celtics did exactly what they were supposed to do. Preseason, they were the heavy favorite to represent the Eastern Conference in the Finals. That never really changed throughout the season. Losing only 16 of 82 regular season games, the Celtics were expected to sweep right through the inferior 8th seed and possibly even the 2nd round. When they didn't, people started to have doubts. But, the Celtics did ultimately prevail.
The Celtics finally tasted success again. They had been terrible for so long. Danny Ainge had been so afraid to make a big move. Paul Pierce started having thoughts of wanting out. However, after an absolutely dreadful 24-58 '06-'07 season in which the Celtics were called out for tanking games, Danny Ainge had to do something. Even an 18-game losing streak doesn't guarantee the #1 pick as the Celtics got the 5th pick in the draft. Ainge had never had the guts to make a huge move, but now that he was forced to he decided to just go all out. He was able to swing a deal with the Seattle Supersonics that gave the Celtics the 35th pick and Ray Allen, while sending the #5 pick to Seattle.
Unfortunately, though, Paul Pierce still didn't want to be there. He didn't think that Ray Allen would have the ability to turn the team around. So, after about a month of fretting, Kevin McHale agreed to a megadeal. He loses Kevin Garnett and gains Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, and two future first-round picks. Now, with the Big Ticket as a teammate, Paul Pierce wanted to stay. He now saw hope.Eddie House, Scot Pollard, and James Posey were soon signed and PJ Bro
wn was added midseason. Doc Rivers got the best out of his players. When the Lakers took a 2-1 lead over the Spurs, I said that we would again have an Eastern Conference champion. However, as I thought about this more and more, and I saw the Lakers dismantle the Spurs, I thought that the Lakers would be able to beat either the Celtics or the Pistons. And that's the pick that I stuck with.
wn was added midseason. Doc Rivers got the best out of his players. When the Lakers took a 2-1 lead over the Spurs, I said that we would again have an Eastern Conference champion. However, as I thought about this more and more, and I saw the Lakers dismantle the Spurs, I thought that the Lakers would be able to beat either the Celtics or the Pistons. And that's the pick that I stuck with.Oh, how wrong I was. I underestimated the the hunger of 3 starved veterans. This was as lobsided a 6-game Finals can get. Paul Pierce played the best basketball of his life. He got the Finals MVP. The Celtics proved that they were obviously the best team in basketball this year.
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