aaron c beals

i realize that i haven’t yet posted about the Celtics’ championship run, which is surprising, given how closely i’ve followed the team through the horrible/soul-sucking post-Bird era. questionable drafts (2001), bad trades (to many to count), bad contracts (blount), bad knees (wally, googs, raef)… and yet i always held out hope. as i said to John my brother Matt during the Finals — “i can’t believe i once talked myself into Jiri Welsch. JIRI WELSCH!”

in what can only be described as karma coming full circle, our half-season tickets happened to land us in the Garden on June 17th for Game 6. it was… well, i still haven’t fully recovered from the shock of the win yet, but Laura said it best: “i think this is the happiest day of your life so far, after our wedding day.” and you know what? she was right.

2004 was incredible. so was 2001, the year that kicked off the whole “Title Town” era. however, those of you who know me well know that above all the rest, the Celtics are my team. basketball is my favorite sport to watch, the NBA is my favorite league (sorry, college hoops — my school just wasn’t D1), and the Celtics… well, let’s just say that my first sports memories are from 1986.

i have more thoughts on the team, the season, and some post-season moves, but those will have to wait for another time.

one last note… as i was driving in to work the day after the win, WEEI had Wyc Grousbeck on (possibly my favorite team owner of all time, because he’s a townie and an unabashed Celtics fan). the hosts asked him for his top 3 moments of the season, and he responded (not direct quotes — i’m working from memory):

1. being handed the trophy and stepping up onto the podium (that wasn’t, by the way, really meant to hold a person)

2. unveiling Red’s autograph on the parquet during opening day

3. earlier in the season, seeing his life flash before his eyes as Glen “Big Baby” Davis flew headlong out of bounds and into Wyc’s seats