The NBA playoffs are well underway and this looks to be an exciting year.
My beloved Celtics are tied with the Milwaukee Bucks two/two in their best of seven series as of today. In addition, the Washington Wizards are tied with the Toronto Raptors two/two and the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Indiana Pacers are also tied two/two. Only the Philadelphia 76ers are ahead three/one over the Miami Heat. This is only the Eastern conference!
There is excitement in the West as well but I won't go into that. The action has been fantastic and I, as are many, am glued to the television for each and every game.
What is it about the NBA playoffs that is so mesmerizing? I don't think its just the size and beauty of the Larry O'Brian Trophy, given out to the World Championship Team each year. I don't think it is the Banner that gets raised over the winning stadium each fall. I don't even think it is the giant diamond rings given to each person associated with the winning team.
It is the pure beauty and athleticism of the sport combined with the heart and determination of these amazing athletes who play the game.
Often, a playoff game becomes not about who can shoot the best, run the fastest, or maneuver the cleverest, it is about who wants it more. It is that passion and fire that draw us, the fans, into their world.
NBA Basketball has been part of my life since birth. My family has been Boston Celtic people since 1950. I knew about the Celtics and basketball before I could pronounce the word 'Basketball'. I knew about twenty-four-second violations, traveling, technical fouls, and offensive rebounds before my first day of school.
Now as an adult, I find myself yelling at the referees and questioning their calls the same way my Grandmother, Aunt, and Mother do. I wait all summer for preseason to begin in October but never am I as hyped up as I am once the playoffs start. That is when the best of the best turn it on.
There are some amazing teams out there. Besides my guys in green and white, there are the Toronto Raptors, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, and the Golden State Warriors just to name a few. Once playoffs start, the gloves come off and it is really anyone's series to win or to lose. Sometimes the underdogs win just because they fight for it a little bit harder and that is terrific. It's nice to see things get shaken up a little once in a while.
On a personal note, this is gonna be a rough playoff for the Celtics.
Three of the starting players are out with injuries and we are depending on younger, less experienced guys for the most part. If we were to win the title it would be our 18th, two more than the next most successful franchise. I am hopeful but not confident about their chances but I am looking forward to next season with more optimism.
In the meantime, I will continue to wear my "Beat LA" t-shirt from 1986 and my Celtic pajama pants as I watch each game. And if my guys do get knocked out, I will pick a second choice and give them my support albeit temporary.
I love the playoffs, It's a great time of the year!
