What if the Celtics get the No. 1 pick?
A litany of what-ifs have plagued the Celtics since their 80s heyday with Larry Legend, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish. This is the team that is considered the best NBA club ever. But lately due to bad luck or worse, the little Leprechaun has been out of commission. Call it a shamrock gone wrong. It is what it is. First, the Len Bias death. Then Reggie Lewis. Then the year everybody thought they were going to get Tim Duncan and they got nothing. Two high lottery picks and neither turns out to be Tim Duncan. For a franchise that had so much luck for so many years and won so many championships, the last two decades have been atrocious.
But don’t despair, Celtic fans. The inevitable will happen. The Celtic luck is about to change. Red Auerbach will finally stop turning over in his grave. He will finally be at peace with a smile on his face as all of the downtrodden Celtic nation lets out a collective sigh. Finally the ping-pong balls will bounce the right way and the beleaguered Celtics will find salvation in the form of the No. 1 draft pick in this year’s draft and the chance to select franchise changer Greg Oden. He may not be the coming of Bill Russell, but close enough.
Imagine Paul Pierce heading a team with Oden in the paint, Al Jefferson at the 4-spot. Although Jefferson isn’t a star, he can be a solid 15-point, 10-rebound man. Wally Szczerbiak playing the shooters role at the 3 and Rajon Rondo running the point. His job is easy, give Paul Pierce the ball. Not a spectacular starting five, but solid and well-versed enough in basketball to come together and form the chemistry that will allow them to win. With Pierce on offense and Oden on defense, Danny Ainge could finally have a contender. And in the weak East, they might just compete for the finals.
Their bench would be strong, too. With slam-dunk champ Gerald Green supplying the instant offense as the sixth man and loads of excitement for the fans. He would ease the scoring burden off of Paul Pierce shoulders when he enters the game. Kendrick Perkins, Tony Allen and Delonte West will round out the rotation and Doc Rivers will finally have a mob to compete in the East. The team will thrive off of Paul Pierce renewed enthusiasm for the game and Gred Oden game-changing defense.
But getting the No. 1 pick in the draft is a big if. After a long time with lady luck looking the other way, though, it’s about time the Celtics get their man. And Greg Oden is their man. He will look good in Celtic green and restore the beleaguered franchise to its former glory. I hope everybody out there in Boston is keeping their fingers crossed. As a closet Celtic fan from the Larry Legend days I sure am.
I am ready to see the Celtic revival.
ps Said,
April 22, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
hey Seth,
greetings from Australia. i appriciate all of your writing. keep it comming
Josh From Sac Said,
April 22, 2007 @ 8:28 pm
Seth, you need to examine this “revival,” this is all assuming that Oden is a impact player and the young players develop. Al Jefferson is solid and is going to be a great player, but it didn’t even look like Oden was passionate about playing at Ohio St.
wiff in Spokane Said,
April 23, 2007 @ 6:33 pm
Hey Seth I like your writing too, but try sending some of that luck to the beleaguered Seattle Super Sonics who may very well lose their first pro sports franchise. Heck the Sonics haven’t won the chip since 1979 so far back I barely remember the games and they were even taped delayed on TV. So screw the green midget, send Oden out to the NW where once a proud franchised has been beaten into submission with poor management and cheap owners. How many freakin rings do the Celts/Patties/Soxs need?
grizz Said,
April 24, 2007 @ 11:48 am
i hate the celtics and all their fans. just because they have been around for a long time and won all the championships with bird and all of those other guys. who cares! no one in the league gives any other teams any credit, its all about boston. i remember earlier this year espn reported “panic in boston” b/c durant might stay at texas for his sophomore season. PANIC IN BOSTON? WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF THE LEAGUE!
Art Saran Said,
April 25, 2007 @ 3:39 pm
As a Celtics fan, I have visioned same opportunity when BC gets the No.1 pick. In people’s eyes, this year is a failure. To me its not. The injuries to many key players changed the whole scenario and forced the Celtics to play and develop young players. The season was sacrificed but it bore more fruits. Now, they have a core of good young players that’s worth something, they have also getting a high draft pick and the payroll part is more than modest. I was afraid that it will cost Doc’s and Danny’s job to be in this position, but the owners oversaw it in a long term view.
When that time comes that they get the No.1 pick, or even No.2 to get Duran, just like San Antonio in the past, things will improve tremendously and we can see again the resurrection of a franchise.
Ross Said,
April 26, 2007 @ 2:08 am
well written, and that team may make the playoffs, but absolutely no chance of winning the eastern conference. Wally hasnt been able to play a decent 3 since his Miami of Ohio days and couldn’t D me up….Rondo! Its easy to say get the ball to Pierce, but this guy didnt get minutes until the last 10 games of the season. Although he looked impressive still raw in nba terms. Seth think about what your about to write because I don’t see that team can compete with the Magic or Wizards let alone a Pistons team or young Bulls and Cavs teams.
Legend33 Said,
April 26, 2007 @ 1:01 pm
Oden is Boston’s best hope to not only make the playoffs in 2008, but do significant damage in the Eastern Conference. Oden is one of those rare centers that does not come along often. He is in the mold of the great eight year stretch of NBA centers (1984 to 1992) and will one day be mentioned along the side of guys named Olajowon, Ewing, Daugherty, Robinson, Divac, Mutombo, Shaq, and Mourning. He is that good. I am a long-time Celtics fan and truly hope that the shamrock bestows some good luck on my Celtics for the first time in two decades.
Basketball Fan Said,
May 2, 2007 @ 3:51 pm
You are doing good with your writing Seth! I can’t wait for May 22nd when Celtics will be the talk of the basketball world again. Next year, the regulars will be back, plus a high pick, plus a another year of seasoning…a definite playoff team.
testy Said,
May 21, 2007 @ 5:00 pm
Oden reminds me of Parish . I would like the Celt’s to trade and get both Oden and Durant . Possible future ?
Oden
Milisic
Jefferson
Green
west
heinrich
testy Said,
May 21, 2007 @ 5:08 pm
Oops
Oden
Milisic
Jefferson
Durant
Green
West
Heirich