I’m residence for the vacations. And due to the NBA Cup, the Celtics are on their second multi-day hiatus within the final two weeks, giving me ample time to ruminate in regards to the many essential Celtics storylines I haven’t had the time to contemplate. Besides I’m arising empty, and I believe it’s as a result of we’re simply too good.
“I really feel such as you shouldn’t write this,” replied my sister when she seemed over on the title of the Google doc. “You’re going to jinx it, and we’re going to start out shedding.”
Good. Possibly then I’ll even have one thing to put in writing about. Simply kidding, however my full lack of concepts has me fascinated about the vibes of this season, and the way they differ from the anxious marketing campaign of final yr. I’m simply not fearful in regards to the workforce anymore, not remotely involved after we drop the usual what-the-hell-was-that recreation to the Trae Younger-less Atlanta Hawks. I’m not fearful if this workforce has what it takes to win, as a result of we all know they do.
Earlier than the season, I used to be vocal in my issues about motivation for this season. The Celtics had been at their greatest with their backs plastered immediately up towards the wall, which they had been annoyingly good at doing for 3 consecutive years. Bear in mind 76ers Sport 6 in 2023? Bucks Sport 6 in 2022? Warmth Sport 6 in 2023— wow, there are a whole lot of Sport 6s… It felt just like the workforce’s most output by no means got here once they needed it and solely once they completely, positively wanted it.
That was, till final yr, when the Celtics sluggish walked their means by means of the Jap Convention after which despatched Luka Doncic again to Dallas simply in time for the thirty eighth Annual Nice Texas Mosquito Competition. It was nonetheless anxious, but it surely all simply… labored.
And this yr, it’s all simply working once more.
Briefly, Boston has given me completely no cause to fret past the compulsory Kristaps Porzingis accidents and a few less-than-stellar Sam Hauser capturing numbers. However are we severe with that? Porzingis is nice for 3 random foot sprains a yr and Hauser’s capturing has been made up five-fold by the emergence of Price range Stephen Curry/Sixth Man of the 12 months frontrunner Payton Pritchard. I actually printed one thing titled “NBA doesn’t stand an opportunity towards the Celtics”, and that’s as a result of they don’t.
Am I lacking one thing? Is there some nice concern on the market that I’m simply lacking? Or may it’s that the dearth of concern that itself must be my concern? Is it time to invert my lack of worry and grow to be afraid of it?
There’s like three complete cliches about this: The calm earlier than the storm. The deep breath earlier than the plunge. The one factor we have now to worry is worry itself. All of them may be true on this state of affairs. However these are additionally massively pessimistic views on life. Ought to I actually be afraid of the darkish simply because it’s darkish?
The precise fear, as I earmarked earlier than the season, is apathy. However I’m undecided there’s something that may be accomplished about that. You may’t manufacture want, irrespective of how good the locker room speech is. And the Celtics will be unable to attain the identical stage of desperation as final yr — they only gained’t.
However apathy isn’t going to sink them ultimately. A playoff berth is all-but assured, as is a high three-ish seed. If the Celtics lose within the playoffs — which they could, however I don’t at present suppose they’ll — it might take an irresponsible dose of Freudian psychoanalysis to chalk it as much as “apathy.” There might be math, accidents, and outlier statistics responsible earlier than vibes are ever talked about.
So, what to do? March ahead, discovering new and fascinating methods to destroy the dregs of the Jap Convention. And it’s time to ask extra optimistic and fascinating questions if we’re simply going to destroy individuals on a regular basis. I’m able to admit I used to be mistaken for questioning Payton Pritchard’s awesomeness, so how good can he get? Can Hauser get above 40-percent from deep? Can Jrue Vacation return to his offensive kind?
I don’t know, however I’m prepared to seek out out. Possibly worry itself is the one factor we have now to worry, however who has time for that proper now. Seize some chips and watch the C’s ball out. It’s far more enjoyable that means.
