I’m residence for the vacations. And due to the NBA Cup, the Celtics are on their second multi-day hiatus within the final two weeks, giving me ample time to ruminate concerning the many vital Celtics storylines I haven’t had the time to contemplate. Besides I’m developing empty, and I feel it’s as a result of we’re simply too good.
“I really feel such as you shouldn’t write this,” replied my sister when she regarded over on the title of the Google doc. “You’re going to jinx it, and we’re going to begin dropping.”
Good. Possibly then I’ll even have one thing to write down about. Simply kidding, however my full lack of concepts has me desirous about the vibes of this season, and the way they differ from the anxious marketing campaign of final yr. I’m simply not fearful concerning the group anymore, not remotely involved once we drop the usual what-the-hell-was-that recreation to the Trae Younger-less Atlanta Hawks. I’m not fearful if this group has what it takes to win, as a result of we all know they do.
Earlier than the season, I used to be vocal in my considerations about motivation for this season. The Celtics had been at their greatest with their backs plastered instantly up in opposition to the wall, which they had been annoyingly good at doing for 3 consecutive years. Bear in mind 76ers Recreation 6 in 2023? Bucks Recreation 6 in 2022? Warmth Recreation 6 in 2023— wow, there are numerous Recreation 6s… It felt just like the group’s most output by no means got here after they wished it and solely after they completely, positively wanted it.
That was, till final yr, when the Celtics sluggish walked their means by the Jap Convention after which despatched Luka Doncic again to Dallas simply in time for the thirty eighth Annual Nice Texas Mosquito Pageant. It was nonetheless tense, however it all simply… labored.
And this yr, it’s all simply working once more.
Briefly, Boston has given me completely no cause to fret past the compulsory Kristaps Porzingis accidents and a few less-than-stellar Sam Hauser capturing numbers. However are we critical with that? Porzingis is nice for 3 random foot sprains a yr and Hauser’s capturing has been made up five-fold by the emergence of Funds Stephen Curry/Sixth Man of the Yr frontrunner Payton Pritchard. I actually printed one thing titled “NBA doesn’t stand an opportunity in opposition to the Celtics”, and that’s as a result of they don’t.
Am I lacking one thing? Is there some nice concern on the market that I’m simply lacking? Or might or not it’s that the shortage of concern that itself ought to be my concern? Is it time to invert my lack of worry and develop into afraid of it?
There’s like three complete cliches about this: The calm earlier than the storm. The deep breath earlier than the plunge. The one factor we’ve to worry is worry itself. All of them may be true on this scenario. However these are additionally massively pessimistic views on life. Ought to I actually be afraid of the darkish simply because it’s darkish?
The precise fear, as I earmarked earlier than the season, is apathy. However I’m undecided there’s something that may be accomplished about that. You may’t manufacture want, irrespective of how good the locker room speech is. And the Celtics will be unable to realize the identical stage of desperation as final yr — they only received’t.
However apathy isn’t going to sink them in the long run. A playoff berth is all-but assured, as is a high three-ish seed. If the Celtics lose within the playoffs — which they could, however I don’t at present suppose they may — it might take an irresponsible dose of Freudian psychoanalysis to chalk it as much as “apathy.” There can be math, accidents, and outlier statistics in charge earlier than vibes are ever talked about.
So, what to do? March ahead, discovering new and attention-grabbing methods to destroy the dregs of the Jap Convention. And it’s time to ask extra optimistic and attention-grabbing questions if we’re simply going to destroy folks on a regular basis. I’m able to admit I used to be mistaken for questioning Payton Pritchard’s awesomeness, so how good can he get? Can Hauser get above 40-percent from deep? Can Jrue Vacation return to his offensive type?
I don’t know, however I’m prepared to search out out. Possibly worry itself is the one factor we’ve to worry, however who has time for that proper now. Seize some chips and watch the C’s ball out. It’s far more enjoyable that means.
