Okay, people…we all know what today is. No need to beat the
long-dead horserug…we know what it is, and it’s huge.
It’s huge, not because two of the greatest Celtics ever to
walk the parquet are coming back home wearing enemy colors for the first time.
It’s huge, not because this will be the "first time" for fans who have been
secretly (and some not so secretly) in a state of mourning since the
announcement of the “blockbuster” that sent our beloved Truth and Big Ticket
down to Yankeeland, erasing all but the final traces of the glory days and
opening the window to the long, cold winter that lay ahead for professional
basketball in these parts.
No, it’s huge because, as they walk through that door, the glow of the past trails closely behind them and in theirs and our shared history of greatness, we see the future hope that we will one day rise again, just as we rose from the departures of Bill Russell and Red Auerbach and Larry Bird before them.
With ten first-round draft picks (TEN!!) over the next five
years and several talented young players to place around Rajon Rondo (the last
remaining vestige of championship sparkle, not counting members of the front
office), the future is closer than some may imagine and The Return will be even
more glorious than the return of two legends seeking to recreate that
Championship magic with another team.
Welcome back, Paul…Kevin. But, don’t get too comfortable. We’ve
got some plans of our own.
And, now…here are
some stories from around the interwebs to get you even more amped for today’s
big game:
Pierce, Garnett discuss their return to Boston
By the Boston Globe's
Also, check out: www.celticslife.com,
www.celticsblog.com, www.celticshub.com, www.celticstown.com, and www.redsarmy.com to get your fill.
