[quote]tGunslinger wrote:
jehovasfitness wrote:
tGunslinger wrote:
Boston is better, but they’re not so much better that they can just show up and win easily.
you sure 'bout that 
Oops! I blew that one, haha!
I’m with tmoney in that I’m really happiest for Ray Allen. He was the “forgotten” member of the Big 3 all season long, he sacrificed a great deal for the team, he was criticized heavily during his dry stretch in the playoffs and never said a word about how his son’s illness was affecting his play (I read today that his youngest son was diagnosed with diabetes), and then quietly neutralized Kobe with both his offense and, stunningly, his defense. Nearly everybody expected Kobe to abuse Allen for a lot more than the measly +6 PPG margin the Lakers got from the SG position.
And during the post-game celebration, Allen, of course, stood aside and let Pierce and Garnett have most of the limelight. It was Allen who mentioned the “Big 15” when asked about the driving force behind the championship.
Allen was the first guy brought in when this team was put together last summer, and I distinctly recall thinking about what a mistake that was. Like a lot of others, I didn’t really get excited until Garnett was on board (and I’m embarrassed to remember that I wasn’t all that thrilled even then). I will gladly eat my crow on that one.
But I see now that KG wouldn’t have happened if Allen didn’t take the plunge and head to a 24 win team while nearing the twilight of his career. The championship wouldn’t have happened if Allen wasn’t there to be the quiet foil to KG’s and Pierce’s emotional intensity.
Guys like Ray Allen are my idea of true professionals, and he and James Posey became my favorite Celtics over the course of this wonderful season. And of course, he did it quietly.
While I’m absolutely thrilled at having one of my major sports teams win a championship for the first time since OU’s football title in 2000 (and only the 2nd time since the 49’ers '94 Super Bowl), I’m a little sad that this ride has finally come to an end.
Even if Boston goes on to repeat or even three-peat, it won’t be the same as the first title. From the thrill of their dominance during the regular season, to the anxiety of the early rounds of the playoffs, to feeling the hope that the C’s might actually go the distance grow into certainty during the Finals, this season has just been a blast. It’s been a real dream season that I couldn’t have even imagined following the years leading up to 2007’s 24-58 train-wreck.
It’s been a pleasure sharing the last turns of the road with you all in this thread. I’d like to thank everybody for contributing to this thread and keeping the banter mostly polite and above the belt. Hopefully I didn’t grate on any of you too badly either.
I suppose it’s only fitting that Boston’s 2009 season will revolve around one theme: DEFENSE![/quote]
This was well said. Ray Allen is a class act and a deserving champion.
pic info: Ray and KG enjoy the trophy on the set Wednesday with David Letterman.