There’s a bit second on the finish of the Celtics’ All In collection chronicling the championship run final season when Joe Mazzulla is lastly leaving TD Backyard after the duck boat parade down Boylston Road. The customarily deadpan head coach is reminiscing in regards to the banner yr along with his spouse Camai and says, “for each person who’s labored on this group, for each person who’s performed for this group, you’ve helped transfer the Celtics group ahead. We’re all in it collectively and all people must know that.”
The clip is plagued by acquainted faces — beloved figures actually. It opens with Heather Walker, the vp of public relations that handed away from mind most cancers two years in the past who many people at CelticsBlog had the pleasure of working with. There’s Isaiah Thomas, the engine of Brad Stevens’ early groups. Avery Bradley. Kemba Walker. Marcus Good. My king, my coronary heart and soul, Marcus Good.
It is a ten-second reminder of the stretches of this recreation, how being a fan extends so far as every little thing you will ever expertise in your lifetime and perhaps even farther if you happen to’ve acquired youngsters and/or your dad and mom raised you proper. There are mile markers on this life. Some are punctuated by banners. The Celtics acquired their rings on Opening Night time, but it surely felt like dozens extra might have been given to guys like Jonas Jerebko, Jared Sullinger, and Amir Johnson.
I get the same bout with nostalgia at any time when the commerce deadline nears. For the final couple of years, the Celtics have gone into February with a spot or two on the roster unfilled. Even with constraints of the brand new CBA, delusions of grandeur of bringing again Kelly Olynyk or Robert Williams or Guerschon Yabusele all the time fill my head. Each offseason and commerce deadline, I’m ready for that tweet telling me Al Horford (or another fan favourite) is coming residence.
Yesterday, Javonte Inexperienced agreed to a buyout with the Pelicans and is anticipated to affix the Cavaliers. Earlier than that, Daniel Theis was dealt by New Orleans to Oklahoma Metropolis. And whereas two title contenders getting a bit bit stronger and deeper threatens a possible repeat for the Cs, that’s not what bothered me.
It’s that these had been former Celtics who perhaps, simply perhaps, might have had a reunion in Boston.
Inexperienced had a cup of espresso with the Celtics 5 years in the past earlier than enjoying in Chicago, New Orleans, and now Cleveland. He was notably certainly one of Tatum’s greatest associates when he was traded with Theis to the Bulls. For Theis, he truly did discover his manner again to the Celtics in 2022 and began a couple of video games in that failed Finals run. It’s not loopy to suppose that both journeyman might come again to the 617.
Sadly, sentimentality doesn’t make a great GM. If it did, Brandon Bass may need Udonis Haslem stature. However from a fan’s perspective, we all know how every little thing is related. Each draft decide and each transaction comes from and results in one thing else and the perfect gamers depart an indelible mark.
In his introductory press convention in DC, Good was requested about what he picked up in his 9 seasons with the Celtics and he mentioned, “simply what it takes to enter it. It takes all people. It’s additionally not simple. If you’re attempting to do one thing nice, it takes lots.” Sound acquainted?
It surprisingly didn’t work out for Good in Memphis and with a chance as an elder stateman in Washington, he’ll enter the ultimate yr of his contract subsequent season as a mentor to the younger Wizards (for now). However belief me, when free company opens up this summer time or the commerce deadline looms subsequent yr, it’ll be Love & Belief daydreams all day.
