After defeating the Atlanta Hawks within the 7 vs. 8 Play-In recreation earlier this week, Orlando Magic followers chanted “We would like Boston” as the ultimate seconds ticked off the clock.
Properly, Orlando followers acquired their want. The Magic will face off towards the Celtics within the first spherical of the playoffs beginning Sunday. However they won’t notice what they’re stepping into.
“We would like Boston” has develop into a harmful custom for opposing fan bases. And if historical past is any indication, it by no means ends properly.
It began again in April 2022, when Brooklyn Nets followers echoed those self same three phrases by way of the banner-less rafters of Barclays Middle. A number of weeks later, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving have been packing their baggage for Cancun after getting swept.
A yr later, the Philadelphia 76ers fanbase echoed the identical chant after their Spherical One win over the Nets, getting ready to play the Celtics in Spherical Two. These Sixers followers now shudder with nightmares of Jayson Tatum’s record-setting 51-point masterclass in Recreation 7.
As if the league hadn’t discovered of the hazards of summoning the Boston Celtics, the mantra reached a brand new virality throughout NBA arenas final postseason. After Miami beckoned the “We would like Boston” curse, the Celtics ended the rivalry for good. Cleveland’s name for Boston led to a gentleman’s sweep in Spherical Two. The Pacers additionally took their probability, and Boston introduced out the brooms. And within the Finals, Dallas made the identical mistake. Celtics followers ended up strolling down Causeway Avenue in “You bought Boston” shirts whereas the Larry O’Brien trophy rode by in a duck boat.
Right here’s an abbreviated historical past:
So, Orlando Magic followers, I’ve a easy query: Have you ever not discovered?
Chanting “We would like Boston” in your area is the basketball equal of claiming Bloody Mary thrice in a mirror — you’re about to be haunted.
For the Celtics, that is the last word praise. Because the face of dominance throughout the NBA these previous few years, Boston lives rent-free within the minds of opposing fan bases. And now? They’ve acquired much more gas. As if the Celtics wanted any extra motivation to proceed stacking Larry O’Briens into the largest trophy case within the league, they now have one more reason to stomp everywhere in the competitors.
The Magic will now be spending the following few weeks coping with the Celtics’ historic onslaught of ferocious expertise. This group is deep, disciplined, and skilled — a basketball machine constructed for the playoffs. Orlando’s chants might have been loud, however Boston’s response will likely be deafening.
Watch out what you want for, Orlando.
