SOn Tuesday night the Celtic's dream season finally came to its storybook ending, each of the "Big Three" winning their first championship and bringing yet another banner to the Garden. As Boston natives celebrate their second major championship in the last 9 months, (too bad the Patriots couldn't complete the trifecta) lets take a look back on some memorable moments and the storylines behind them.
In Boston, they only hang up Championship Banners, and here comes #17
From 24 wins to 66: Biggest turnaround in NBA History
Allen's 7 Three-Pointers in Game 6: Ties Finals Record
Kevin Garnett: Defensive Player of the Year
Paul Pierce: Finals MVP
Game 4: The Biggest Comeback in Finals History
Boston Celtics: Record 17th NBA Championship (#2 Lakers: 15)
A little more than a year ago the Celtic faithful were banking their future on the NBA Draft lottery, hoping to get a shot and landing either Kevin Durant or Greg Oden, it didn't pan out. Rumors floated around about who would get traded first, Paul Peirce or Kobe Bryant, turns out they BOTH won MVP awards. Celtic Head Coach Doc Rivers was scrutinized for yet ANOTHER terrible season in Boston, but after a coaching duel with living legend Phil Jackson, Doc ended up with the ring. After the Celtics got bumped in the draft all the way back to number 5, Danny Ainge realized it was time for some changes. A draft-day trade for Ray Allen and complete team-gutting trade for Kevin Garnet later it looks like things have definately worked out.
Allen's 7 Three-Pointers in Game 6: Ties Finals Record
The first of Boston's drastic moves, Ray Allen has been everything the Celtics have asked for, a cosistant third scoring option as well as another determined veteran hungry for a ring. After falling into a slump for most of these playoffs, Allen turned it on late in the Eastern Finals against Detroit, and after averaging 17.5 PPG in the Finals, Allen has proved his worth among Boston's other stars. Allen, the oldest of the big three, has always been the first one to practice and the last one out, and his leadership has helped influenced the young up-and-comers in Boston.
Kevin Garnett: Defensive Player of the Year
Although it took an almost full depletion of Boston's roster, the final memeber of the big three transformed the Celtics from a mediocre playoff team into a title contender. The Big Ticket did more than bring back Boston's stellar crowd, he changed the entire defensive culture of the Celtics. Bostons defense was the big difference in these finals, and after KG's dominating performance in the paint, and on the boards, the Larry O'Brien trophy is now on its way to Boston.
Paul Pierce: Finals MVP
On Tuesday Paul Pierce did something that most players dont get to do by winning the NBA title with the only team they've ever played for. After 10 years in Boston Paul Peirce has gone through so much, from the stabbing in 2000, to the temper and ejection in round one of the '05 playoffs, to the trade rumors just this past season, and now his maturation and MVP performance in these finals. If you ignore his game 3 letdown, "The Truth" averaged 25 Points, 4.2 Rebounds, and 7 Assists against Los Angeles in the championship. Pierce has finally transended from the best player on a crappy team to the best player on a title team.
Game 4: The Biggest Comeback in Finals History
After rallying to win the game by overcoming the largest deficit ever in an NBA Finals game, Boston did all but win the series there and then. The comeback did so much more than make for a happy night back in Boston; It gave them no less than two chances to win the series at home and it prevented the series from going 2-2, making it 3-1, a deficit no NBA team has even come back from.
39 Points: Biggest Margin of Victory in a Finals close-out gameA lot of people counted Boston out after being pushed to seven games by both Atlanta (who posted a losing record this season) and Cleveland, but the Celtics didn't need seven games this time. Boston took care of business in front of their home crowd in dominating fashion, as well as giving Phil Jackson the worst playoff loss in his career.
Posey & Cassell: Only current Celtics with Finals expirience...
...And Cassell only averaged 8.5 minutes the entire finals! The Celtics didn't have any starters like Kobe Bryant or Derek Fisher, and even though they boast some big names, Boston's stars have never played on a stage like this one. Rajon Rondo, the unsung hero of this season, did everything he was asked to do and more. Rondo facilitated the teams offense and even boasted a statline of 21 Points, 8 Assists, 7 Rebounds, and 6 Steals in the series Clincher.
...And Cassell only averaged 8.5 minutes the entire finals! The Celtics didn't have any starters like Kobe Bryant or Derek Fisher, and even though they boast some big names, Boston's stars have never played on a stage like this one. Rajon Rondo, the unsung hero of this season, did everything he was asked to do and more. Rondo facilitated the teams offense and even boasted a statline of 21 Points, 8 Assists, 7 Rebounds, and 6 Steals in the series Clincher.
Boston Celtics: Record 17th NBA Championship (#2 Lakers: 15)
With this Championship Boston does two things, they further distance themselves from the pack as the NBA's best franchise, and they keep legend Red Auerbach atop the list of most coaching championships; and doing this against the Lakers makes this victory all the more sweet.
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