We’re firmly within the canine days of the NBA season. The climate is chilly, and so is the Celtics’ shotmaking. The staff has largely put collectively an uninspiring January, besides, I’m discovering it tough to fret about them.
In fact, that is partially primarily based on the idea that they’ll be ready to play critical basketball when the video games matter. In truth, they’ve earned that proper to obtain the good thing about the doubt.
Alternatively, I’ve discovered my capability to fret concerning the staff is nonexistent.
I don’t imply that no loss has the power to disappoint, as a result of some actually have. However the layer of existential questions that hung over the staff for years was lastly stripped away final summer time.
Up to now, each loss served as a chance for pundits and followers to invalidate all of Boston’s accomplishments. A mid-season defeat to a contender meant that they weren’t prepared, or probably by no means can be. Ending two wins away from a title didn’t cease the notion that Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum can’t win collectively.
The championship put all of that to mattress, for me a minimum of.
Picture by Stan Grossfeld/The Boston Globe through Getty Photos
A want to generate engagement will lead to individuals trying to poke holes in greatness, however there’s no take that may re-write the story. Theoretical asterisks on a dominant season received’t discover their means into the historical past books. Certain, you possibly can level out the accidents groups had of their path, however they performed who was in entrance of them, and received comfortably.
In pursuit of back-to-back titles, the timeline seems completely different than it used to. Their season isn’t outlined by a tough stretch earlier than the All-Star break. It’ll be marked by their file within the playoffs. We all know that they’ll do it now, so the losses — even the dangerous ones — don’t really feel as important.
There’s no all-time low for the defending champs this early within the yr. Hopefully they don’t take that as a problem, however solely the third loss in a playoff sequence can actually convey me a significant stage of concern.
A number of weeks of mediocre hoops is a reminder that they’re not excellent, and the highway to repeating is extraordinarily slim. Their pattern of nice basketball is far bigger although, and a ok motive by itself to maintain the panic to a minimal.
They’ve graduated from the stress and want of chasing that first ring, and are actually trying to affix extra prestigious firm.
It’s not about whether or not they could make it to the Finals and even win all of it. They’ve already confirmed succesful. Now, the problem is sustaining that stage of excellence constantly—one thing solely the league’s true dynasties can do. And whereas that’s a special sort of stress, it’s additionally one which feels acquainted and in some methods, simple to cope with.
As a fan, I’ll all the time need extra, however I discover nice satisfaction on this period already. I don’t say this to eulogize this season, or make excuses for the poor efficiency, however fairly to elucidate how my relationship with their struggles feels completely different.
They’re in a tough patch proper now, however they’ve the personnel and expertise to seek out their means out. For now, I can benefit from the journey with out consistently worrying concerning the vacation spot.
