Now that the Boston Celtics are down 2-0 to the Miami Heat, the obvious questions have begun to surface. In case you didn't know, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are old in NBA years. Shocking, right? So it only stands to reason that if they are struggling while also being old, then perhaps the Celtics as a team are too old.
Celtics Vs. Heat: Boston Ages 25 Years In Defeat
Don't believe me. Take it from Ken Berger of CBS Sports, who made the fairly obvious parallel between the Celtics and the late-80s Pistons that saw their dynasty crumble at the hands of the younger, more talented Chicago Bulls.
The Celtics, who’ve escorted James and Dwyane Wade out of the playoffs, are now fighting for their playoff lives against both of them. The first two games were not a fair fight. All the guile and experience in the world was no match for these facts of basketball life: People get old. Someone’s always coming to take what you have.
These are the stark rules of survival in the NBA. Michael Jordan’s Bulls finally caught the Pistons, age finally caught Jordan, and the carousel keeps spinning until those who can’t hold on any more are thrown off.
It’s a tempting comparison. If you had to find one historical parallel to the Unbuntu Celtics, it would be the Pistons.
But c’mon, let’s hold off writing the eulogies for now. Boston still has home games to rely on, and while they lost both games in Miami, they were right there until seemingly uncharacteristic collapses down the stretch. They are still fully capable of winning Games 3 and 4, then stealing either Game 5 or 7 in Miami. Don’t underestimate the heart of a champion, and all that.
Now, if they lose Game 3? Then, I expect all those eulogies to resurface.
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