Coming into the season, the greatest accomplishments held by Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were arguable. Perhaps Garnett's 2004 MVP award? Maybe Pierce being chosen as team Captain of arguably the greatest franchise in NBA history? Each are undoubtedly premiere accomplishments, but both of these honors pale in comparison to what each superstar has been able to accomplish this season.
Pierce and Garnett joined teammates Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, Brian Scalabrine, James Posey, and Leon Powe as new fathers. This reminder of the real world was the perfect ingredient in keeping the players on an even keel. The game, for the first time for both, was just a game, and the pressures each had handled individually throughout their careers could be handled together and deflected through their blossoming off the court lives. Garnett's inability to perform in the clutch, as well as Pierce's decade long run of winning nothing had been highly publicized going into the 2008 playoffs. These two greats of the game no longer had to come into the playoffs with the weight of the world on their shoulders, and they now had a life changing reason not to bring home their woes and disappointments. Each star is free and easy to focus on the tasks at hand, no longer feeling that a team failure is solely their failure. The stars have seemingly aligned and this was meant to be the year they achieve it all.
Unfortunately, the newfound success for Doc Rivers can only taste bittersweet. In early November, Doc suffered the greatest loss of all. The loss of his mentor, his confidant, and his greatest fan; his father, Grady Rivers. Upon learning the news, Rivers missed just one game, an overtime win in Toronto on a Ray Allen buzzer-beating three. Doc's own example of commitment, sacrifice, and dedication was something noticed by the players, and a lesson followed by the new Big Three. Doc credits his father for instilling patience and hard work within him at a young age, and attests that through these characteristics his father has indirectly had an impact on the gelling and success of this year's Boston Celtics.
So here we are. Father's Day 2008. The team in Los Angeles and Beantown in a buzz. Up three-to-one in the NBA Finals. Most Celtics fans have never felt this kind of excitement and those who have, have been waiting for over two decades for this to return. Most players taking the court tonight for the Green will also take it with a new kind of excitement taking over their nerves (James Posey and Sam Cassell are the only players who have captured an NBA title). Fortunately, Celtics fans can go into tonight feeling confident. After all, if there is one thing these players might say is more nerve-wracking than playing on the world stage, it is the birth of their first-born and we have more than enough practice at that. Tonight should be a synch. As for Doc? What better tribute than to hoist the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy in his dad's honor on a day dedicated to dad's everywhere. With Grady River's and late Celtics patriarch Red Auerbach's spirit sure to be on hand at the Staples Center tonight, I fully expect Boston to make their way back from Los Angeles with their 17th championship trophy, allowing for a possible victory parade to take place on or before Wednesday, June 18th, which coincidentally enough would have been Grady Rivers 77th birthday. A fitting celebration on this Father's Day weekend.
Pierce and Garnett joined teammates Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, Brian Scalabrine, James Posey, and Leon Powe as new fathers. This reminder of the real world was the perfect ingredient in keeping the players on an even keel. The game, for the first time for both, was just a game, and the pressures each had handled individually throughout their careers could be handled together and deflected through their blossoming off the court lives. Garnett's inability to perform in the clutch, as well as Pierce's decade long run of winning nothing had been highly publicized going into the 2008 playoffs. These two greats of the game no longer had to come into the playoffs with the weight of the world on their shoulders, and they now had a life changing reason not to bring home their woes and disappointments. Each star is free and easy to focus on the tasks at hand, no longer feeling that a team failure is solely their failure. The stars have seemingly aligned and this was meant to be the year they achieve it all.
Unfortunately, the newfound success for Doc Rivers can only taste bittersweet. In early November, Doc suffered the greatest loss of all. The loss of his mentor, his confidant, and his greatest fan; his father, Grady Rivers. Upon learning the news, Rivers missed just one game, an overtime win in Toronto on a Ray Allen buzzer-beating three. Doc's own example of commitment, sacrifice, and dedication was something noticed by the players, and a lesson followed by the new Big Three. Doc credits his father for instilling patience and hard work within him at a young age, and attests that through these characteristics his father has indirectly had an impact on the gelling and success of this year's Boston Celtics.
So here we are. Father's Day 2008. The team in Los Angeles and Beantown in a buzz. Up three-to-one in the NBA Finals. Most Celtics fans have never felt this kind of excitement and those who have, have been waiting for over two decades for this to return. Most players taking the court tonight for the Green will also take it with a new kind of excitement taking over their nerves (James Posey and Sam Cassell are the only players who have captured an NBA title). Fortunately, Celtics fans can go into tonight feeling confident. After all, if there is one thing these players might say is more nerve-wracking than playing on the world stage, it is the birth of their first-born and we have more than enough practice at that. Tonight should be a synch. As for Doc? What better tribute than to hoist the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy in his dad's honor on a day dedicated to dad's everywhere. With Grady River's and late Celtics patriarch Red Auerbach's spirit sure to be on hand at the Staples Center tonight, I fully expect Boston to make their way back from Los Angeles with their 17th championship trophy, allowing for a possible victory parade to take place on or before Wednesday, June 18th, which coincidentally enough would have been Grady Rivers 77th birthday. A fitting celebration on this Father's Day weekend.
1 comment:
Well Done Grubb...
Is babysitting now part of your "other duties as assigned"?
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