Upbeat Celtics
In any case, the Celtics cannot but count themselves fortunate. They’ve already progressed far ahead of schedule and look to be even better, having secured the top pick in the rookie draft. Which means lumping them with the league elite is simply a matter
The Celtics are most assuredly not coming back from their zero-two deficit in the East Finals, and it isn’t just because Isaiah Thomas will be watching the rest of the series from the bench. The injury to their lone All- Star is simply the last straw, what with the Cavaliers having carved up the competition since the playoffs began. That said, there’s nothing preventing them from approaching the remainder of their postseason stint with professionalism; most importantly, they need to show their best against the defending champions regardless of the score at any given point in Games Three and Four — and, in case of a miracle, beyond.
Certainly, the Celtics have nothing to be ashamed of. They were awash with confidence heading into their highly anticipated best- of- seven affair against the Cavaliers. They finished the regular season in a flurry, securing the conference top seed in the process. They overcame the initial blitz of the tough but overmatched Bulls in the first round. They outlasted the gritty Wizards on the strength of home court advantage in the second. And if they found themselves blown off the court in Games One and Two, it’s because of the force of nature going by the name of LeBron James.
In the aftermath of the Celtics’ forgettable homestands, the mood has creditably remained upbeat. They’re used to being underestimated, they said, and, once again, they’re prepared to shock the world. If nothing else, the defiant outlook is a product of continual writeoffs. No one but the most avid supporters figured them to finish the regular season with the best record in the East. Practically everyone wrote them off after they gave up their first two playoff outings at the TD Center. Few thought them able to manufacture come-from-behind victories against the physical Wizards.
In any case, the Celtics cannot but count themselves fortunate. They’ve already progressed far ahead of schedule and look to be even better, having secured the top pick in the rookie draft. Which means lumping them with the league elite is simply a matter of when, not if, especially with Thomas and head coach Brad Stevens at the forefront. Meanwhile, they have to take their punishment with eyes open, benefit from their schooling, and turn their experience to motivation.