I was a beat writer for the team back in that exciting season of 1981 when our Celtics got back to their NBA championship ways. They beat Houston in six games for their first title since 1976 when they beat Phoenix in the memorable series that featured their 3 overtime win in game five.
Still excited about winning the title, the first in the Bird era, all of Celtics' nation was buzzing over the latest Auerbach move which was supposed to insure that Danny Ainge was going to be available for the Celtics in the draft. NOTE---for you youngsters here's the story---Danny was under contract to the Toronto Bluejays and negotiations had been going on to get Danny free to play basketball, presumably for the Celtics because Auerbach was involved in the meetings with the Toronto brass.
When draft day came the media room was as excited as the fans, some of which still weren't sure that the Celts would be able to grab Danny. Red kept us in the dark, or at least left room for doubt. When He announced the Celtics' first pick, #23, the name was not Danny Ainge but Charles Barkley. (No not THAT Charles). Then, on the first of his two 2nd round picks he chose (as we all held our breaths) Tracy Jackson out of Notre Dame? What the heck.....then with his second 2nd round pick, #31, he announced, "Boston takes DANNY AINGE." The press room went wild and Red, with that big Celtic grin of his, lit up his cigar.
Well the rest is history but I promise you there has never been another draft day like that one. The year before was when Red pulled off his second biggest trade in Celtic history giving Golden State the #1 pick in the draft for their first pick (#3) and Robert Parish. He then drafted Kevin McHale and won the NBA championship...BUT, don't be surprised if Danny tops both those trades on this seasons draft day with a blockbuster deal of his own. He's already shown that he knows how when he pulled off the Ray Allen then Kevin Garnett trade. By the way, you Celtic historians will recall that every time Red (or Danny) made a HUGE trade the Celtics won another world championship. The scene is now all set for that very same scenario.---and I'm betting on it---Stay tuned.....
Last Friday the Celts lost a heartbreaker to Phoenix 87-80 but the score doesn't tell the real story.
The Suns have a good record (37-28) in a very tough western conference but the Celts stayed with them and even led by 5 in the 4th quarter. A couple of miscues that led to Phoenix points and that was the game. BUT, it did show, once again, that these kids (I'm including head coach Brad Stevens) have shown they're on the verge of becoming a contender (or more) in the NBA.
I have been paying particular attention to two rookies, Kelly Olynyck and Phil Pressey. Kelly always seems to be around the ball and is becoming a heck of an offensive rebounder. Paired with Jared Sullinger, little more than a rookie himself, that is spelling the kind of trouble for opponents that will only become greater next year. Olynyck is also showing more and more confidence in his shooting and already is an exceptional passer with great court sense belying his rookie status. After the game I spoke with him and found out he's been working with assistant coach Walter McCarty who confided in me that Kelly was one of the best students he's ever had. McCarty, himself a former 1st round pick (of the Knicks) 1n 1996 out of Kentucky knows a thing or two about the game. Being able to pass on some of that knowledge to Olynyk is sure to pay dividends...and soon.
Phil Pressey, son of NBA great Paul Pressey, is very quietly making his presence felt on the team. He's second in steals and third in assists averaging barely more than 15 minutes a game. He reminds me a little bit of a young KC Jones. I can picture him, some day, pairing up defensively with Avery Bradley and giving opponents fits especially in the backcourt. He too is building more and more confidence on the court thanks to Coach Stevens. Stay tuned.....
On the Patriots---I feel they've stolen the free agent season and could very well be on their way to a super bowl win. Let's see what happens in the draft.
VINCE WILFORK is a shock to me. Not because he doesn't want to restructure his contract but because he's taken his case to the media. That's not cool and leads me to believe he's already got a deal with Buffalo who's somehow popped up on the scene. But wait, Vince is still under contract to the Patriots for another year. That sounds like tampering to me. Talk shows (and their callers) are saying the Pats should "be fair" totally disregarding that in restructuring Wilfork would not be losing any money and will (is) making a few million more with the Pats than he would get from any other team on the open market. Not to mention that he is still an asset of the Patriots but his value is being greatly diminished by Wilforks disgruntled attitude. Sounds like he's trying to shoot his way out of New England (to coin a phrase) which isn't showing much appreciation to the team or the fans who have elevated him to near God-like status. I think there should be a rule in the NFL contracts that forbids that practise. (purposely lowering your value to a team in order to "get out of town.")
Shame on you Vince. Belichick is too sharp to allow the team to lose on this one so....stay tuned.
Now I want to make sure the Pats keep Blount on the team. And will somebody please remind Josh McDaniels, who calls the plays, that Blount is a 250 pound freight train when he's running straight ahead and stop calling plays for him to run wide (which is not his best suit). Many fans believe that's one of the things that cost us the Denver game and another trip to the super bowl , myself included.
Just thinking.....wouldn't Tony Gonzales look good in a Patriot uniform. He could not only catch some passes but could teach Gronk how not to get hurt. Gonzales has only missed two games in his entire career. Gronk, as we all know, is an injury just waiting to happen with his devil may care approach to football. Let's hope something good will happen to him...stay tuned.....