The Celtics are back in the Eastern Conference Finals.
How does it feel?
Good?
Maybe closer to fine? Familiar and expected. Possibly … a little joyless?
Why?
The Celtics did exactly what they should have: destroyed the remains of the Cavaliers in five games, claiming a 113-98 win in Game 5 Wednesday night.
They’re 8-2 in the playoffs. They’re winning games by an average of 18.5 points. They’ve covered the spread in six of 10 games, and came one point away Wednesday from making that seven out of 10; meaning even accounting for their rank as heavy favorites, the injuries to Jimmy Butler, Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen and the massive talent disparity, the Celtics have statistically out-performedexpectations.
But simultaneously we’ve all experienced this run, at one time or another, as underwhelming. A confusing slog, wondering how a statistical killing machine, posting blowout after blowout against injured, star-less teams, could possibly play without a killer instinct.
Granted, the media discourse around a 64-win team rampaging through the playoffs has not helped. It’s been, to use a word, lame.
The lazy, star-focused national conversation is what it is. The contrived contrarianism and simplistic cynicism of talk radio in this town is what it’s always been, tired and predictable. Admittedly, I crushed the Celtics last week for taking an unnecessary detour in Game 2, playing listless offense and uninspired defense.
For somehow, always, for God knows what reason, needing a push to play tough basketball in the postseason.
The Celtics deserved it then. They don’t now. And if the discourse, or hell, this column, is sapping your enjoyment, just step away.
Again, the Celtics are in the East Finals. For a third straight year, and the sixth time in eight seasons, they are four wins away from the Finals.
This is why they play, why we watch. And this is what we have all been waiting for, what, 10 months? Or in the case of the Celtics playing as prohibitive favorites in the East, waiting since … 2008?
Any lack of joy at this stage is more a reflection of us than it is them; as a city, a fan base, media contingent. The Celtics destroyed the opponents in front of them. They did their job.
Do yours. Choose to enjoy the ride. We’re all buckled in this together, approaching a time where it is more likely than not the Celtics will lose more games than they win.
Don’t experience the drive outside the window, letting the scenery or lack thereof dictate how it feels inside the car. Put your attention on the basketball.
On Al Horford making NBA history last night. On Payton Pritchard’s surprisingly staunch defense in isolation. On this juicy Jaylen Brown quote after Game 4 that would have explained the whole Cleveland series: “I don’t think anybody over there could really guard me.”
Celtics defeat Cavaliers, advance to Eastern Conference finals
He was right. And we won't remember.
Because who remembers an eighth-seeded Hawks team pushing the last Celtics title team to seven games in the first round? Or a young LeBron James dragging Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen back to the brink in the second? It wasn't until the East Finals that those Celtics ended a series on time, beating the Pistons in six games before dispatching the Lakers in six also.
No one remembers Rounds 1 and 2. No one cares.
You chose - we chose - to revel in the joy of that ending; Garnett screaming "anything is possible" at the top of his lungs in an eternal NBA moment. That ending, that type of moment, is not guaranteed this time.
All the more reason to enjoy the ride now. Starting next week, the Celtics will probably dismiss the Walking Dead Knicks or Pacers in six games or less. If they do, their run will be panned as the easiest path to the Finals ever.
Who cares? Ask a Knicks or Pacers fan if they would trade their colors for a green jersey right now. Or any fan of the Bucks, Sixers, Heat, Lakers or Clippers.
Of course they would.
Whether the Celtics raise Banner 18 or not next month, everyone will be back in the same boat anyway: gaming out offseason plans. Another 10-month waiting game will be foisted upon us, waiting for games to matter this much again. Even if the Celtics win the title, the discourse will turn.
Fast.
Within 24 hours, before anyone starts a single Duck Boat, the conversation will turn to the Celtics' chances of repeating or a possible dynasty. As if the joy and the greatness of a new banner meant nothing on its own.
Because that's how this twisted, on-to-the-next, forever whirring media machine works. But to hell with that.
Find a cheap bottle of something and toast to a third straight East Finals trip now.
To the misery of losing that 26 other fan bases must endure you don't have to accept.
To something that might feel too easy to be earned, or too good to be true, but counts all the same.
