April Fool’s Day–what a glorious day in American history. Touche to the guy who once thought: “You know what this country needs? A day where it’s completely acceptable to play practical jokes on people and humiliate them.” I don’t know who that guy is, but he certainly deserves a statue.
Unfortunately, some teams in the NBA must be called for their shenanigans. And seeing as I’d hate to see Lakers Nation fall victim to these posers, follow me if you will while I separate pretenders from contenders.
The Boston Celtics
I remember in June 2008. The Celtics had just beat the Lakers 192-68 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. I said right there on the spot, “The Boston Celtics and their fans better enjoy this title because it will be the last time they win one for awhile. Their slide back into obscurity begins now.” I was laughed at. The Big 3, I was told, had won their first title of many to come. Kobe would never win a title without Shaq. The Lakers would never possess the toughness required to win a title.
These days, I’m not looking so foolish. Kevin Garnett’s is playing on one leg, Paul Pierce is two years older and nursing several minor injuries (his biggest one primarily being his face–which has an uncanny resemblance to a catfish). Rajon Rondo can’t carry a team for a full four quarters. Rasheed Wallace might have a negative 3-point shooting percentage.
Remember the year they won the title (and up until the Lakers dumped ‘em on Christmas day in ’08) how they talked trash incessantly? Then everybody realized–wait, the loudest guy in the confrontation is never the toughest. The league hasn’t been scared of the Celtics since.
I’m still salty that the Celtics have zero chance of making it out of the East. I would love to put a nail in the coffin (an insensitive choice of words with so many of them this close to death) of the “Big 3.” Unfortunately, us fans will have to settle for watching them get decimated by the Cavaliers in the second round.
Status: Pretender
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