1983-84 Boston Celtics
Record 24-8
January 2, 1984
They inhabit a select league within a league where winning, per se, is expected, and all their actions are viewed as inconsequential unless they have a bearing on the only thing that matters; namely, their relationship with the Philadelphia 76ers.Their current 24-8 record should satisfy people. Their 0-2 record with Philadelphia obviously does not, especially since each was a close game and each appeared to be in the Celtics' grasp, especially the OT loss at the Garden.
We know little more about the team than we did before the season. The frontcourt is superb, arguably the league's best. Dennis Johnson has proven to be a major addition. The rest of the backcourt is, shall we say, unsettled. The coaching change has brought neither steadiness to Danny Ainge nor a secure role for Quinn Buckner. Scott Wedman remains the forgotten widow at the Christmas party.
Robert Parish is playing far too much. Can't K.C. & Co. see that? It is important, because the only real issue is what state the team will be in during April and May. Since Los Angeles cannot defeat Philadelphia in a one-, seven-, 37- or 111-game series (Kareem wants no part of Moses), and since the same is true of Milwaukee vs. Philly, the Celtics are the only team with a chance to keep the Sixers from winning two straight.
But unless somebody kidnaps Andrew Toney and Maurice Cheeks, I don't think the Celtics can do it.
1 comment:
Now I see why I have an affinity for Grampa Celtic. He sees things in penultimate terms. The regular season is a mere dance, entertaining, but having little significance other than to gauge our chances at a title.
He's also less fan than critic, a doubter who perhaps doubts too much. On this count I fault both of us. The Celtics have spent much of their history surprising their fans. 1969, 1976, and 1984 being three of them.
1984 might have been the biggest surprise, as during the regular season we had losing records agains the best teams.
Still, the critic in me remains, and I like this year's team. But until the rest of the big games play out against ORL, LA, ATL, and CLEV, we won't know how excited to get.
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