The Celtics misplaced to the Thunder and it is likely to be time to freak out

The Boston Celtics simply obtained bonked over the top by the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. However how huge of a catastrophe is that this actually?

Quick reply: pretty massive. The Celtics had their full arsenal going through {a partially} depleted Thunder group, and so they obtained snuffed out like a bit of artisan candle going through an industrial-grade fireplace blanket. Boston had a superb first half, however confronted severe resistance from a possessed group of Thunder defenders. Presumably terrified, the Celtics had been unable to hit a 3 for the higher a part of an hour, and promptly misplaced.

That is the kind of loss I’m tempted to neglect about. Not as a result of it doesn’t matter, however as a result of it’s not statistically to matter that a lot notably now. The Celtics have an entire Jap Convention to fret about earlier than they discover the Thunder within the NBA Finals, and OKC should get there within the first place, no small activity in a jumbled west.

However sadly, we will’t neglect about it. As a result of the Celtics might have simply misplaced The Belt.

The NBA isn’t a zero-sum recreation. There are levels of success, with some groups pondering championship-or-bust, whereas others are actively attempting to lose. However there’s at all times that one group that evokes a singular sort of concern. One which feels inevitable, indestructible. The one which gained’t be denied irrespective of what number of locks you placed on the door. That group has The Belt. Till final night time, that was the Boston Celtics. However now, I feel it’s Thunder.

Photograph by Joshua Gateley/Getty Photos

What even is The Belt, you might ask? Effectively, The Belt is totally different from the champion, and is in fact much less prestigious. The title protection will at all times supersede it, however The Belt does carry a somewhat-special function in NBA discourse. It’s a completely constructed narrative, and since there isn’t a once-yearly trophy connected to it, it may be handed far more freely. The group with The Belt doesn’t must lose to the group that takes it, but it surely definitely helps. And that’s what the Thunder simply did.

Someday circa the third quarter, the Thunder solved the geometry of the sport and hit the Celtics like a pure catastrophe. They started switching extra aggressively, closing out like maniacs and flying round like peregrine falcons dive-bombing unsuspecting Celtics ball-handlers. It was one thing to behold, like uncommon footage from the attention of a hurricane or of an ideal white shark breaching the floor. It was an ideal storm, and stunning to see the full-strength Celtics completely swept away by it.

It was additionally emotionally traumatic, because it was completely explainable and never even remotely a fluke. Sure, the Celtics shot poorly from three, however that’s as a result of the Thunder protection had them questioning their lefts and rights. They obtained punked, and it’s the kind of loss that’s liable to make you query the material of the universe or in case your group nonetheless has what it takes. It’s the first lack of that colour since Celtics-Clippers on January 27 of final 12 months. They’re like blue moons.

Just like the Clippers loss final 12 months, the Celtics obtained out-physical’d and out-executed, although this time is arguably extra regarding given the Thunder had been lacking each Alex Caruso and Chet Holmgren. At full tilt, this group is horrifying, and… horrifyingly younger. They could have gained 15 video games in a row, however what if they only don’t lose for the following 5 years? What’s there to do? Surrender? Change into a die-hard rugby fan? Swear off sports activities solely and take up piano classes? What in the event that they five-peat and go 455-0 in that stretch?!

(Deep breath)

As I stated with the Nuggets final 12 months after they impressively dealt with the Celtics in Denver, the percentages of really operating into Oklahoma Metropolis within the NBA Finals shouldn’t be very excessive. It appears virtually sure now, however that’s as a result of the playoffs haven’t began. Folks get injured, groups get upset. Briefly, shi…chicanery occurs. And the Celtics ought to rightly give attention to the East earlier than they freak out concerning the West.

Fortunately, the Celtics may have March 12 at house to perhaps take The Belt again, or maybe ship me into a fair additional freak-out spiral than I’m already in. However that was dangerous, and dangerous sufficient to pressure some huge, uncomfortable questions. The one factor Boston can do now’s begin answering them, after which we’ll all see which of them we like. Gulp.