From Way Out in Left Field:
A Sports Blog from "Coach" Jim Brown



June - 2007

After 22 years of disappointments and heartaches, the Boston Celtics are back on top again. Long time fans will be pleased to note that that the players on this year's team operate in the same vein as the class sic Celtics of yesteryear. They are not a graceful bunch of guys in the sense of NBA finesse players. Paul Pierce, the Finals and MVP, epitomizes this team: tough, gritty, passionate, a guy who goes hard to floor and has a complete game. Known more for his offensive skills, he has finally been allowed a showcase for his passing and bitterly stingy defense.

But let us not overlook the Celtic bench. In the 80's the Celtics always had a great a bench. if you are a real fan, the names Bill Walton, Jerry Sichting, Scott Wedman and Rick Robey will make you stand and cheer.

This year it was Eddie House. Who can forget his clutch shots in the finals and against Cleveland the amazing length-of-the floor chase of the ball at the end of which he flung himself to the court and somehow tipped the ball to a teammate.

This year it was Leon Powe, who scored 21 in game 2 against the evil Lakers.

This year it was Sam Cassel, inconsistent, to be sure, but a guy who hit great shots off the becnh at times.

This year it was James Posey knocking down long threes to clinch Game Four.

To me this Celtics team ranks with the best of the 80's teams, better I think than the 81 team that knocked off Houston, and on a par with the 84 and 86 teams.



Here are my favorite Celtic players, other than the Big Three (Bird, McHale, Parrish)…

Cedric Maxwell: a long tough forward who could score rebound and play defense. Folks forget that he was a Finals MVP. Also he once went into the crowd after a fan who uttered a racial slur.

Nate Archibald: his best individual seasons came with the Kansas City where he was the last player to lead the league in scoring and assists, but as a Celtic he was an excellent point guard who gave his best effort against the dreaded in-conference foes, the 76ers.

ML Carr: in some ways he was the heart and soul of the teams for which he played, an emotional leader, a guy who always wanted to win and gave the Celtics a physical and emotional toughness.

Gerald Henderson: Henderson's steal against the Lakers is the deepest reason the Celtics won that great series.

Dave Cowens: big and fast, a guy who score and play D. The most intense player ever???