I’m residence for the vacations. And due to the NBA Cup, the Celtics are on their second multi-day hiatus within the final two weeks, giving me ample time to ruminate in regards to the many essential Celtics storylines I haven’t had the time to think about. Besides I’m developing empty, and I feel it’s as a result of we’re simply too good.
“I really feel such as you shouldn’t write this,” replied my sister when she appeared over on the title of the Google doc. “You’re going to jinx it, and we’re going to begin shedding.”
Good. Possibly then I’ll even have one thing to put in writing about. Simply kidding, however my full lack of concepts has me fascinated by the vibes of this season, and the way they differ from the anxious marketing campaign of final yr. I’m simply not anxious in regards to the workforce anymore, not remotely involved after we drop the usual what-the-hell-was-that sport to the Trae Younger-less Atlanta Hawks. I’m not anxious if this workforce has what it takes to win, as a result of we all know they do.
Earlier than the season, I used to be vocal in my issues about motivation for this season. The Celtics have been at their finest with their backs plastered instantly up towards the wall, which they have been annoyingly good at doing for 3 consecutive years. Keep in mind 76ers Sport 6 in 2023? Bucks Sport 6 in 2022? Warmth Sport 6 in 2023— wow, there are plenty of Sport 6s… It felt just like the workforce’s most output by no means got here once they needed it and solely once they completely, positively wanted it.
That was, till final yr, when the Celtics sluggish walked their manner by the Japanese Convention after which despatched Luka Doncic again to Dallas simply in time for the thirty eighth Annual Nice Texas Mosquito Pageant. It was nonetheless tense, but it surely all simply… labored.
And this yr, it’s all simply working once more.
In brief, Boston has given me completely no cause to fret past the compulsory Kristaps Porzingis accidents and a few less-than-stellar Sam Hauser taking pictures numbers. However are we critical with that? Porzingis is nice for 3 random foot sprains a yr and Hauser’s taking pictures has been made up five-fold by the emergence of Funds Stephen Curry/Sixth Man of the Yr frontrunner Payton Pritchard. I actually revealed one thing titled “NBA doesn’t stand an opportunity towards the Celtics”, and that’s as a result of they don’t.
Am I lacking one thing? Is there some nice concern on the market that I’m simply lacking? Or might or not it’s that the dearth of concern that itself must be my concern? Is it time to invert my lack of concern and grow to be afraid of it?
There’s like three entire cliches about this: The calm earlier than the storm. The deep breath earlier than the plunge. The one factor now we have to concern is concern itself. All of them is likely to be true on this scenario. However these are additionally massively pessimistic views on life. Ought to I actually be afraid of the darkish simply because it’s darkish?
The precise fear, as I earmarked earlier than the season, is apathy. However I’m undecided there’s something that may be achieved about that. You may’t manufacture want, regardless of how good the locker room speech is. And the Celtics won’t be able to realize the identical stage of desperation as final yr — they simply gained’t.
However apathy isn’t going to sink them ultimately. A playoff berth is all-but assured, as is a prime three-ish seed. If the Celtics lose within the playoffs — which they may, however I don’t at the moment assume they’ll — it will take an irresponsible dose of Freudian psychoanalysis to chalk it as much as “apathy.” There shall be math, accidents, and outlier statistics responsible earlier than vibes are ever talked about.
So, what to do? March ahead, discovering new and fascinating methods to destroy the dregs of the Japanese Convention. And it’s time to ask extra constructive and fascinating questions if we’re simply going to destroy individuals on a regular basis. I’m able to admit I used to be incorrect for questioning Payton Pritchard’s awesomeness, so how good can he get? Can Hauser get above 40-percent from deep? Can Jrue Vacation return to his offensive type?
I don’t know, however I’m prepared to search out out. Possibly concern itself is the one factor now we have to concern, however who has time for that proper now. Seize some chips and watch the C’s ball out. It’s far more enjoyable that manner.
