Allen and Pierce sat on the bench wearing suits that cost more than my car. Pierce addressed the crowd from center court before the game, acknowledging, "It's been a long year, a trying year," then asking for the fans to step up their game in the playoffs. Garnett's only appearance was on the videoboard - the famous footage of him yelling ("AGHHHHHHHHHHHHH") before the starters are introduced.
There weren't a ton of regulars in the stands, either. This was a night to give tickets to the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker. A lot of mail carriers and car mechanics were rewarded for years of loyal service.
The real games start Saturday, when the Celtics open a best-of-seven series against the Chicago Bulls. Most of us don't think the Celtics are going to repeat as world champions. Why? Because Garnett (sprained knee) won't be 100 percent and might not be a factor at all if things turn for the worse when he resumes practice today in Waltham.
Two other reasons they won't win: the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers. Both are better than the Celtics. And both have home-court advantage over Boston.
This feels like Cleveland's year just like last year felt like Boston's year. The Cavs have the best record and the best player. They went 39-2 at home. The only team in NBA history to go 40-1 at home was the 1985-86 Celtics. Some of us believe that team was the best in the history of basketball.
The Celtics are good. They won 62 games, which is the same number won by the 1983-84 Celtics; that's the only Larry Bird team that ever beat the Lakers in the Finals. This year's Green started 27-2 and won a franchise-record 19 consecutive games. Late in the season, they successfully wrestled for the second seed and won a ton of games even though they didn't have Garnett, Leon Powe, and a raft of other talents.
"It seemed like we were having a bad year at some points, compared to what we did last year," said Allen, who made 95.2 percent of his free throws this season, shattering a 50-year-old franchise record set by Bill Sharman.
