AI and the Celtic Salvation
Why AI needs to be a Celtic.
by Ben Collins
Something remarkably eerie happened Friday night before the Celtics-Suns game. One of those things that makes you turn your head and look twice to make sure that it’s actually happening.
A quarter-full Boston Garden — an arena overlooking a harrowed parquet floor that should sellout 41 nights a year by its legacy alone, but would still only be half-full by the end of the night — right before tipoff. They were rolling one of those schmaltzy “Pride of the Celtics” videos on the big screen.
And they were going to get to all of it. The 16 NBA Championships. The 25 Division Titles. Russell, Cousy, Havlicek. Bird, Cowens, Parrish, McHale. Even Pierce and Walker, by the end of it.
But they never got there. The tape, like a bad sci-fi movie, complete with that cliched sound of a reel screeching to a halt, froze on a black-and-white frame of Red Auerbach.
This was not on purpose. Well, not on the Celtics part, at least. The tech crew scrambled and the tape was rolling again (albeit a couple of decades later on the Celtics timeline) before some fans even noticed.
But this didn’t look like the work of anyone in the Celtics’ editing department in the first place. With a team so firmly entrenched in lore and mythology — the ghosts of Reggie Lewis and Lenny Bias still lingering underneath the parquet — it was impossible not to think:
Somewhere, somehow Red may have had something to do with this.
Maybe he looked down from above and saw that the Boston Celtics, the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers are all seven games under .500 and are perfectly fine with the situation. Maybe he saw that Celtics team that has been hiding under the guise of a “youth movement” for the last five years of his life and wondered if those youths are ever going to grow into the players he was promised they would be. Maybe he looked down and heard the questions directed towards Danny Ainge and Doc River asking them if they’d ever make a change, or stray from whatever plan they have, and heard them be persistently deflected.
Or maybe he heard that the savior of basketball in Boston is available, one man that would prevent the most historic franchise in the history of this sport from reaching borderline irrelevance, and the front office may be too unrelenting to even entertain the concept. And maybe he decided that he didn’t want to be associated with this anymore.
And could you blame him, anyway? On a night against the Suns where some of the best Celtics offense came from defensive three-second calls, you’d beg the front office to be a little more flexible with roster moves.
When Paul Pierce wasn’t on the floor in the first half, the offense worked around 3.0 point-per-game scorer Brian Scalabrine. Like him or not, find him embarrassing or not, even Brian Scalabrine will admit that Brian Scalabrine should not be the focus of an NBA offense at any time.
And even though Phoenix outran New Jersey in a once-in-a-lifetime, energy-draining, double-overtime 318-point track meet, boarded a plane to Logan Airport and only clipped the Celtics by four points 24 hours later, Doc Rivers sounded like this game was conceded even before the tip.
“That’s a great team in Phoenix,” he said after the loss. “They hit every tough shot down the stretch.
“We’re a young team. Phoenix gives you some good shots, but we have to be disciplined enough to give those up and get better shots.”
Well, why wait for the better shots? If Allen Iverson is this available, why not just fix the problem?
Sure, it might alter that undying “youth movement.” It might cost you two or three of those young guys to get it done. But if there’s no one around to watch Celtics basketball when, or if, this team ever grows up, will anyone care when those better shots start coming?
There’s a golden opportunity here. To bring in a future Hall-of-Famer to pair with an All-Star life-long Celtic, there’s not only a shot at the playoffs and the Finals, but also a chance to add on to that legendary, decades-long highlight reel. There’s an opportunity to bring people back into the Garden to stay. Boston will be a basketball town again.
Danny Ainge, when asked if he’d tried to call and get the Answer on Friday, delivered a quick, brusque “no comment” after visiting some old friends in the Phoenix locker room.
But if Ainge really wants to bring respect back to this team and to the area where it all started, he doesn’t have much time left before it dwindles away.
So pick up the phone, Danny, and don’t hang up until Red hits play again.
37 Responses to “AI and the Celtic Salvation”
Dec.12 at 7:29 pm
One Angry Knick Fan says:
absolutely not!
Tawanna is AI’s Nubian Queen, not the New Beantown Queen.
Dec.12 at 7:55 pm
Dallas J. says:
creepy
Dec.12 at 8:39 pm
One Angry Knick Fan says:
yeah, that was a lil creepy. I just felt compelled to write something before someone wrote “first.” 1st and the Celtics are two things that should always remain mutually exclusive.
The Truth & The Answer might not even be able to gel. They would indubitably become the Boston Selltix though.
Dec.12 at 11:08 pm
boston's finest says:
to have the answer wearing green and white would put so many smiles and as well as frowns in the gahhden! however, all them tommy points would be racking up if AI comes through and turns this sorry team around. AI and P squared on the same floor, same team, and its not feb? what a dream that would be. i’ve been here, watching this youth movement, wondering when this team will mature. drafting more young cats, watching perkins and jefferson maturing slowly is taking its toll on me. brian scalabrine is the next coming of dino radja and alaa abdelnabe. to have your offense focus on his when the truth is not on the court just brings back those days when our prolific scorer was a guy from Croatia, who’s 1st name reminded u of the flinstones. if AI is reading this, we in the Bean are waiting for you w/ open arms!
Dec.13 at 12:51 am
Boing Dynasty says:
“Boston Selltix” - very clever young man
1
Dec.13 at 1:29 am
Matt Wens says:
salt and vinegar chips are overrated
Dec.13 at 5:00 am
Boing Dynasty says:
I dont think thier rated very highly, and thier not to bad, so your wrong. All Dressed, now thats a chip.
-Honorable mentions go out to, BBQ, Dill Pickle, and Sourcream and onion.
-dishonorable mention goes out to ketchup.
1
Dec.13 at 1:12 pm
rob stewart says:
“Rap Snacks” are the worst chips out. Maybe it has taken a while to trade A.I. to Minny because Mike James isn’t tradable until Dec. 15th.
Dec.13 at 1:14 pm
RudX says:
Ive in Celtic uni looks dope, but no way he gets along with Doc Rivers
Dec.13 at 1:47 pm
H to the izzo says:
Does anyone get along with Doc Rivers anyway?
Dec.13 at 2:39 pm
Albi says:
AI is not the answer in Boston. If the goal is a championship he’s not going to bring you one. Stick with the youth. I’m not saying the players you have are going to get you to the top, but at least there is hope. 2 or 3 years from now, the last thing I want to here is ” why don’t we get players like that.”
Dec.13 at 2:50 pm
orteezy says:
don’t forget the jalapeno variety
Dec.13 at 3:30 pm
Double J says:
Dudes… AI to minnesota… nuff said….
Dec.13 at 4:02 pm
Chris O'Leary says:
Great writeup, liked it a lot.
As far as chips, you can’t forget Zesty Mordant and dressed all over.
Dec.13 at 4:16 pm
orteezy says:
remember back in the day they had the pizza hut and taco bell flavored Doritos…those were good!
Dec.13 at 4:22 pm
RudX says:
Ainge obviously does
Dec.13 at 4:23 pm
RudX says:
sigh…
Dec.13 at 4:40 pm
Paul Babaran says:
Hey Slam!!! I don’t know why people are worried about AI leaving Philly B/C all I know that my SIXERS has tons of exciting young guys like Wille Green, Rodney Carney, Steven Hunter,Big Shav Randolph and the THREE amigoswhich is KORVER,SLAMIN’SAMMY DALAMBERT, AND AnDRe DUNKADALA Iguodala. Philadelphia needs somebody who would say HAVE NO FEAR CUZ the 3 amigos Are here. Please put this message onthe next magazine coming out so I could show it to all my amigos.THANKS
Dec.13 at 4:59 pm
Payne-o says:
I would like to know why AI doesnt want to play for the Bobcats. Imagine a starting five of Felton, Iverson, Wallace, May, and Okafor. With Morrison and Brezec off the bench (obviously this depends on who they have to give up). To me that looks like a playoff team in the putrid East, especially if they get it done soon and the team gels in time. I know Charles Barkley said that Billy King should get the best possible deal and be done with it, and Charlotte might not offer enough, but if they do, it’ll be a great look for them. If AI isnt up for it because he thinks there’s no chance of a championship there, or the market isnt big enough for someone of his stature, then he’s crazy. No team that’s truly interested will become a championship contender with AI. They might get better, but not ‘chip better. And Charlotte has better prospects for development between now and when Iverson’s contract runs out than the other teams also.
Dec.13 at 5:25 pm
smush says:
3 team trade, celts, grizzlies, sixers: Celtics get AI and Gasol
Sixers get Mike Miller, Rajon Rondo, Delonte West and Theo Ratliff and celtics 07 first rd pick
Memphis gets Tony Allen, Rodney Carney, Sam Dalembert, Wally world, leon powe, celtics 2nd rd pick and future 1st rd pick Celtics immediatly become finals contenders by adding 2 top 15 talents to pierce and a very nice list of complimentary players (bassy, jefferson, perk, gomes, gerald green….scalabrine lol) ans they also eliminate playing time and lineup issues which is really their main problem now
Sixers get expiring contracts, two point guards, a proven scorer and a big man (they would turn contenders in the east with rondo/west, korver, miller, Iggy, cwebb and ratliff)
Memphis gets to rebuild under possible new ownership because theyr not gonna make the playoffs in the west with miller and gasol anyways and get 5 solid players back along with draft picks and a little more cap space….obviously im a celtic fan but this isn’t a bad deal for all involved and would possibly end in finally another banner for the celts…and philly and memphis getting a decent return on their superstars and good looks for the future… get danny ainge, mr logo (or the dukies?) and billy king together and get this done…
Dec.13 at 5:38 pm
BETCATS says:
That would never work because it would end with the celtics losing half of their roster for 2 players who would team up with 1 other great player and 1 dumbass coach to either win a divison title or make the lottery.
Dec.13 at 5:57 pm
Chris says:
ya smush sorry dude but I can’t see it goin down
Dec.13 at 6:19 pm
smush says:
doc aint that terrible, danny ainge should be catching more heat than him…and no itd probably never work, but the thought of it was nice for me…and as far as letting go of their whole team they could sign pittsnoggle who they let go last and activate kandi and allan ray and sign someone else to fill out the roster….and id def accept the criticism if it was towards the philly or memphis end of the deal…but your tellin me you wouldnt give up 6 guys that are gonna take u to the lottery for 2 that will make you a contender in the east and sign some free agents?….or they could sit back for 3 mor years and let the youth movement happen…?
Dec.13 at 6:21 pm
Bryant Reeves says:
smush - do you really think Memphis would give away Gasol and Miller for Dalembert and Wally? No way that would happen. If Billy King has at least a quarter of his brain left he won’t trade Iverson within his own conference (let alone his own division). Clips, GS or Denver are my guesses. The Bobcats should get involved even if they don’t end up with AI because they’ve got so much cap space. By facilitating a trade between philly and another club they could scavenge some decent players and draft picks without commiting to any big longterm contracts.
Dec.13 at 6:55 pm
Francesco Scola says:
“It’s only Denver or Boston right now, and it going to be one of the two. Minnesota has never been in it and want nothing to do with AI’s deal, nor was GS ever a viable landing spot. Sac offered Bibby and then Billy King hung up the phone,” so says Howard Eskin on 610 WIP. “Indiana are in the mix but it seems unlikely. And these are not dotcom website nonsensical rumors: these are FACTS.”
Dec.13 at 7:52 pm
Tom Jackson says:
Does anyone remember the year before Orlando signed T-Mac and Grant Hill, it was Doc River’s first year as a head coach and he took them to the playoffs with Jon Ameci as his starting center? ESPN talked about Doc back then like he was the second coming. He even won the league award for coach of the year. wtf happened?
Dec.13 at 10:59 pm
Will Lee says:
Smush you are just a Celtics fan…
Dec.14 at 12:38 am
the baker says:
AI belongs in Clev., the celts don’t need him they have guards(bassy, delonte,etc.)
Dec.14 at 1:04 am
R3VOLUT10N says:
TRADE A.I TO T-WOLVES A.I
FOR
RICKY DAVIS AND TROY HUDSON AND A 2ND ROUND OR TRADE
AI TO BOBCATS AI
FOR
GERALD WALLACE AND BREVIN KNIGHT OR TRADE AI TO PORTLAND
AI
FOR
RANDOLPH AND DAIROUS MILES
Dec.14 at 5:53 am
Jefferson says:
If Danny Ainge brings in AI, He’d deserve a million Tommy Points.. and Pamela Anderson.
Dec.14 at 11:28 am
Kene says:
…the Boston ‘Selltix’? …Isaiah as Newton watching the fall of The Apple, but not understanding the gravity of the situation? …wow…One Angry Knick Fan keeps coming with instant classics.
Dec.14 at 3:55 pm
Gord says:
I can’t wait for Iverson to get traded…I don’t even really care where he goes at this point…but the anticipation is driving me insane…I really wish it were possible for him to go to Minnesota, however. To have two one-of-a-kind players on the same team would be absolutely incredible and they would surely become contenders once they learned to work together. Pierce and Iverson on the same team would also be interesting, but nowhere near as intriguing as KG and Pierce together. Hurry the hell up Billy King.
Dec.14 at 4:47 pm
BETCATS says:
Billy King needs to hurry the hell up and shoot himself
Dec.14 at 9:00 pm
Daniel says:
AI to the lakers
Dec.14 at 11:41 pm
Paolo says:
AI to Clippers for Corey Maggette, Shaun Livingston and Billy CRystal
Dec.15 at 4:51 pm
BETCATS says:
AI to the Heat for Walker, Williams, and Kapono. Good for both teams, the Kapono-Korver connnection (2 white people who can shoot) and White Boy (get it right pimpin) doing what he do
Apr.10 at 2:39 pm
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