Banner #18 !!! The Drive to a Championship has begun once again.

To quote from one of my favorite movies: I love the smell of Napalm in the morning.....it smells like....VICTORY!

Well I love the smell of those losing fumes of the Cleveland Cavs fans left steaming tonight after we came and took opening night away from them. We took it like Sweetney takes a second helping at dinner. 

Below is my initial rundown and thoughts of the Game 1 VICTORY

• We started out slow and I soon needed extra medication when the early score reached 13-2 with Cleveland hitting their first 6 shots.
• No Penetration No Ball Movement soon turned into just the opposite for the C's and by the end of the 1st Quarter we had clawed back in within 7 (28-21 Cavs)
• Sheed, as expected was the first off the bench and provided an immediate spark with a 3 pointer while sporting a Combo Fro (combo of Don King and Eddie Murphy's Buckwheat)
• Unbelievable block by LBJ on Rondo breakaway layup. I hate him but an impressive block. Second half block on Ray  Allen breakaway just as impressive - I still hate him.
• Shelden "Sherwin" Williams' first stint off the bench was very nice. He seemed comfortable, played his role well, hit the boards and did not seem lost or slow. In the second half he suddenly developed Mark Blunt hands and bobbled a couple of nice passes that could have resulted in two scores. Hands like two dried paint brushes in the second half.
• Perk with no boards in the first half???  And only 2 points. (The Least Interesting Man n the Game/World this night) Shaq moved him the paint with little problem in the 1st half.  2nd Half Perk came out and hit the first two shots of the second half for the C's but soon faded back into the wallpaper. He did have a nice block on Shaq.
• Solid solid effort by the 2 Unit in the second quarter (House, Sheed, Queasy, Sherwin and Ray Allen started the 2nd Quarter and essentially played as a unit until the halfway point of the second quarter. Score at that point? 36-34 Cavs.

2nd half and game summary follow after the jump

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Editors Note:  We decided to re-run the recap of the very first game of the 2007-2008 season, the start of the march towards the 17th banner.   Hopefully  you'll enjoy this quick trip down memory lane and this serves as just one more impetus to get everyone fired up for Tuesday night, which hopefully will be the start of the march to the 18th banner.  For good luck, Master Po will be writing the recap from Game 1 of this year.  -Green17

Out of the woods ….and into a field of Green Clovers 

Too many happy emotions, too much hope, too many words, and too many smiles to express in a simple game recap. It feels too good to be true.  

"I walked out of the dark woods and into a field of green. I lie down and rest my weary bones. Suddenly I feel alive and I know a new journey has begun. I pick a clover and stick it in my back pocket. I whistle a happy tune and begin anew."

On the 61st anniversary of Red’s 1st coaching victory, the Celtics re-named the parquet floor of the Boston Garden in his honor. This was more than appropriate and perfect timing.  

This new team of hope/pride/talent then proceeded to put a smile on Red’s face by trouncing the Washington Wizards. Trouncing them in a way that put a smile on the face of all Celtic fans across the globe. Ahhhhh….Celtic Pride has returned. 

A detailed game recap? That is what I signed up to do, but why did I? I don’t want to talk about specifics. I want to talk in extreme hyperbole. I want to relish this first game as if we won #17 tonight. Ok here we go……here is my game recap. 

We won, Gilbert Arenas is dismantling his blog as we speak, and we are flippin unstoppable. Good enough?

What? You need more details? Hmmmmmm……. Ok.   Read More...

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What!!!!!!!!! We are halfway through the season. Seems a bit fast doesn’t it? I must have nodded off for a bit. I have felt only a little pain this year. I have only woke up seven times this season feeling poorly (from the game anyway) Only seven times that I did not want to read this blog, read the morning paper, or my buddy’s email, who after every loss emails me saying "what happened to your great Celtics?". Anybody wanna guess my response? 

Every sportswriter East of LA will write about the first half of the successful Celtic season. They will be using plenty of KG, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen "Big Three" analysis. They will be writing stories chocked full of great Celtic tidbits flowing like enchanted bread crumbs in Scott Pollards beard. But not me!!!!! Oh no not me. I am not a sportswriter (hard to get your head around that thought isn’t it?). Instead, I am using this half-way point of the season to write about the Celtic bench baby? That’s right ….the Celtic bench. You have to write about what you know, and I know "the pine" like Ricky Davis knows about being in last place.  

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'Twas the night before a West Coast Road trip', when all through Eddie's House, 
Not a creature was stirring, not even Gino the disco mouse; 
KG's 40 piece designer luggage was packed with great care, 
In hopes that the Celtic Airport Limo soon would be there; 

The bench players were nestled all snug in their beds, 
While visions of more minutes danced in their heads; 
And Doc with his clipboard, and Tibedeau is his "D" cap,  
Had just settled down for a short little nap, 
 
When out on the backyard basketball court there arose such a clatter, 
I sprang into action to see what was the matter. 
Away to the backdoor I flew like a flash,  
Weaved through the tall hedges just like Steve Nash. 
 

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• Didn’t We Win?
• Don’t We Lose?
• Do we feel Lucky? 
  

Maybe you can count the times in this article I say: "Didn’t", "Don’t" or "Do". Maybe you can count them like some people like to count the times Allen Iverson says the word "practice" in his famous rant, or the number of times Cousy says "The C’s" during a game. I am just in the mood to use these words to say what I saw at the Gah-den.  

I watched the game twice. The first time was live TV and the second time on tape. I didn’t mind the outcome on either version. We won both times. 

1st Quarter – I don’t think it was a bad quarter, especially the second half of it. I saw a great rebound by Rondo. I saw a great pass from Ray Allen to Perk. I saw the starters start to come out of the game at about the right time near the end of the first quarter with Posey being the first off the bench. I saw a Miami team that looked much better than their record indicates, especially with Wade back in the lineup. I saw 37 year old Alonzo Mourning (who is the only Miami guy I really like) still bring something to the game of basketball with two great blocks in this quarter. I saw a Celtics team, while a work in progress, that still gets me pretty excited at what we have. But the score was tied at the end of the first quarter 24 to 24 so I guess I really DIDN’T need to see it at all. I didn’t see us play a bad quarter, but I don’t think we looked crisp and clean either.  

Qtrs 2 - 4...

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While I am beyond giddy about the season opener against the Wizards and Agent Zero, I have still not found my comfortably numb spot of inner Zen victory peace just yet. I worry about what I don't want to see. I worry that my premature giddiness may quickly transform into a screaming hissy fit in full blown High Definition broadcast rage. For the love of all that is Celtic holy, please let me now Say NO to the following 10 things and maybe they won't happen:

NO last second cheap phantom foul on Agent Zero and subsequent fouls shots that rip my old heart out. Remember this ?

NO last second Paul Pierce ISO shot trying to pull yet another rabbit out of his hat. Paul we have other magicians this year. Hopefully our new magicians will have made the Wizards disappear long before the 4th quarter rolls around. Regardless - NO ISO's Paul Pierce.

NO attempt by Doc to play musical chairs with all 12 players. Find a steady dance card Doc of about 8 players, and dance with those players to establish a rhythm for the season. A winning rhythm of the right 8 players would be nice.

NO walking the ball up the court. We have shown great signs of pushing the ball up the court in preseason. Perk's outlet passes are great, Rondo's legs are fresh, and Paul Pierce has some new running mates. In the words of a sober Tommy Heinson - RUN!

NO waiting to use timeouts until AFTER your lead has all but disappeared. Hopefully Doc has watched old tapes of the former Celtics Rick Carlisle on how to use timeouts, or G. Poppovich of the Spurs. Perhaps he can just fast forward on the "Coach Better Basketball" DVD to the Proper Timeout Management section and watch it in slow motion.

NO drawing smiley faces on the dry eraser board when you do call a timeout Doc. Instead, consider actually drawing up some specifically designed plays for easy buckets coming out of the huddle. Did we see any of that last year? I didn't. Hopefully Doc watched some tape on this as well from teams like the Pistons.

NO Antoine Walker type whining after badly called fouls no matter how much the ref has riding on the game (did I just say that?). Just win baby, and no crying, no technical fouls and please...... in the words of David Letterman..... No wagering please.

NO immediate love affair with 3-ball unless your name is Ray Allen. Take it to the hole on fastbreaks, and for the love of the Leprechaun don't stop 35 feet from the basket and launch a three while having a wide open lane to the basket and a chance for an old fashion three point play. We have such an opportunity to swing the ball this year, punch it inside to KG or Perk that we cannot squander it. Occasionally take the three on a kick-out but do not settle for 3 point baskets because we did not swing the ball.

NO leaving "GPA" in the game if we have the game won and under control. It's a long long season. Garbage time is no time for an injury and I have less hair on my head every day - don't make me pull it out before it falls.

NO Chicken Little syndrome by anyone if we lose Game #1 as there are 81 games to go. But we won't lose game #1. Will we? NO NO NO NO NO....................

A Celticsblog.com exclusive Interview
Part II
By Mitch Hylton (aka Master Po)

see Part 1 here 

MCB - I know that I have read somewhere (and I don’t know if it is true or not) that you spend some time mentoring some of the young Celtics. Is that true? How much time do you spend around the Celtics? Do you really get involved to that degree, and do you have any desire to get back into coaching in some form?

BR - I know all the kids and they are a great bunch of kids but I have no desire whatsoever to coach.

MCB – There were time last year when I wish that you did (nervous soft laugh by me).

BR – That is never something I wanted to do. I have had opportunities to, but that’s not what I wanted. In fact, when I coached the Celtics it took too many conversations to get me to do that. Red and I had twenty or more conversations about him wanting me to take it – to coach. And it was not something that I jumped at. It was almost like a last resort.

MCB – Well I would say that was a last resort that paid off. I am glad he convinced you to do it.

BR – (chuckles a bit) Well Red and I were soul mates.

MCB – Yes, I really can see that in many of the things you have said and written.

BR – Yes. In fact before I took the job, he made up a list, and I made up a list, and he told me that he was NOT hiring his replacement unless I gave him 100% approval. Which is kind of unusual I think? (I agreed with Mr. Russell) And what he said to me was that I had played too hard, and meant too much to this franchise to hire someone that would come in and start messing with you. A lot of coaches would have came in and said: "I am not Red Auerbach and this is the way we are going to do it" Well, we weren’t going to let that happen. Of course Red and I had a bunch of negotiated agreements of when and how many minutes I would play and everything. Things related to practice, travel, hotel and all kinds of things. So, most coaches would have considered some of those things a "challenge" (emphasis on challenge). Red and I said these were not challenges but rather just negotiated settlements so to speak, because Red had an enormous amount of integrity. One of the parts of his integrity was that he recognized that other people can have integrity also, and you must respect that. If you want someone to respect your integrity, you have to respect their integrity. So Red and I got along from the very first day.

(Comment: This part of the conversation confused me at first, as I thought for a moment that Bill Russell was talking about agreement(s) he and Red had while Red was coaching Bill, but I soon figured out he was referring to the agreements that would be required of a new coach, had Bill Russell not ended up coaching the Celtics himself, (i.e. the lists he referred to that he and Red drew up). The new coach would have to agree to things before he could become the coach of the Celtics. I am glad that bridge was never crossed, as I am sure all Celtic fans are glad as well)

MCB – Just as an outside observer in all the things I have read, all that love, and all that friendship, certainly shows through in all the pictures and all the film clips and every article. I would imagine that friendship was a wonderful gift to have.

(Bill had no response to this last comment of mine, and I suddenly felt like my comment was maybe a bit too personal, or maybe he suddenly felt uncomfortable by talking about Red, and his  close relationship with Red, with a stranger, so I quickly moved on. Hey, what can I say? I got caught up in the surreal moment of talking to the great Bill Russell talking intimately about the Legendary Red Auerbach. I hopefully did not cross any line here, but it was surreal)

MCB – Mr. Russell I hope you have time for a few more questions. Speaking of the days of old, my next question is related to the list of the Legends you have at this camp. When I look back at all these Legend players, and how they were good stewards and protectors of the game of basketball,

BR (interjects) – that is absolutely true

MCB (continuing the question) I was just wondering if you think today’s players are taking care of the NBA in the way you think they should to preserve the game for generations to come?

BR – Well I’ll tell you I have enormous respect and affection for the players of today. I have made it a point to get to know them. They are a bunch of young guys that we can be very proud of. For example I don’t know if you know this but almost every player has a Foundation, at least all the high profile players, have Foundations that helps kids. They don’t publicize that much, and the NBA does not publicize that much. Also, we, as the NBA, do a tremendous amount of community service. Most of the players are dedicated professionals and respectful young men- almost model citizens. Now I will say that none of them aspires to sainthood (we both laugh). But they are young men that we can be proud of and to be associated with. They work as hard as players have ever worked.

Every year I go to the rookie orientation and I do not know anywhere where I have met a nicer bunch of young men. They keep coming to the NBA

MCB – It seems like even the young players such as Ryan Gomes, whom I just hated to see go, are going to be good stewards for the game.

BR – Yes, you take the class with Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwayne Wade, well those three kids came in and they are the wave of the future and we can all be glad that they are young men who can be upfront and out front.

MCB – Speaking of young players what are you thoughts on Al Jefferson and his future in the NBA?

BR – Well, you know I never do that. I am one of the guys that I don’t think you have ever heard me make a prediction

MCB – No, not that I recall, no sir.

BR – I don’t do that because I am one of the old old old people and I can wait for them to play the games.

MCB – (laughing out loud) I love that answer, that’s very good (Bill chuckles in the background) That’s a nice answer. I just don’t think when Al Jefferson plays the games this year, I will not be watch his box scores if does well, as I really enjoyed watching him play as a Celtic.
 
BR – Oh good (he sounded genuinely happy that some Celtic fan enjoyed watching young players. That is how I took the comment anyway – but that was all he said about Al Jefferson.)

MCB – Have you had a chance to talk with Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett yet?

BR – No I haven’t, but I know both of them fairly well. I make sure I get a chance to meet all the young players and most of these guys are basically friends of mine. I go out of my way to get know all of them that I can from all the teams and not just the Celtics, because my approach to NBA basketball is that I want as many players (I don’t care what team they are on) playing their best. So, when we go to an NBA game we can be sure that we are seeing the best players in the world on a regular basis. I am always concerned about the quality of the game and that’s kind of important to me.

MCB – Again, you did a good job of leading me into my next question. I have a hypothetical question, and maybe you won’t answer this but I’ll ask it anyway. If David Stern, the NBA Commisioner were to call you tomorrow give you an opportunity to change one thing about the NBA game to improve the game what would it be?

BR – (about 10 seconds of silence) – Probably the size of the schedule.

MCB – To adjust the schedule?

BR – Yes, the reason I would do that is because I think the guys play too much.

MCB – 82 games plus the playoffs?

BR – Yes, and some of the kids from the other countries play in the off-season. I think that is one the reasons we have the amount of injuries we have.

MCB - As a selfish Celtic fan I always worry when I hear about Celtic player playing in a summer type-game situations and I want to say "can you save that for the season as I don’t want anybody to get hurt".

BR – Yeah, that is just what I am talking about.

MCB – In the last season with us only winning 23 games, in just terms of winning and losing (and not meaning the death of players or anything like that), was that one of the more difficult years for you to watch as a Celtic?

BR – No, not really, you I live my life almost according to the Alcoholics creed: One day at a time. Some days are tough, and some days are OK, so you take them as they come, and always ALWAYS do the best you can.

MCB – I appreciate that answer. It sounds like something my late father would say so I do appreciate that answer.

I have lots more questions as I could talk about the Celtics all day with you but I do not want to be disrespectful of your time. I am however trying to convince my wife to give me permission to come out to your camp but that is a tough chore.

BR – (chuckles) I’d love to see you.

(Comment: At this point I then shared a story with Mr. Russell regarding a conversation that I had with my wife about me attending this Legends camp. This in turn elicited a very nice hard laugh and appreciation from Mr. Russell. I want to keep that part to myself for my own private memory, but I have it on tape and it is something I will always treasure (thanks Jeff Clark!))

I told Mr. Russell once again how appreciative I was of him taking the time to answer questions, and how honored I was to speak with him. I told him that I wished we could talk Celtic basketball again, because in Kansas there are not many people to talk with about Celtic basketball (he again laughed). He proceeded to tell me that he has some Celtic friends/fans in a small Kansas town (which I won’t mention). I asked him if he ever came to Wichita, Kansas and this was his great answer which shows how much he loved winning:

BR – You know the first basketball tournament we ever one at San Francisco we played Wichita State

MCB (silly me) – Back when Wichita State actually had a good team?

BR - (laughs a little) Well, uh yeah – we had a lot of fun with them (we both laugh).

MCB – In other words, I don’t think you lost?

BR – (laughs again) – Uh, no that wasn’t the situation (laughs).

MCB (Speaking of Kansas) Do you think JoJo White is in game-shape to play back up PG for the Celtics this season?

BR – Uh no, I see JoJo quite often, in fact I see a lot of the Celtics quite often, and JoJo, like the rest of us may look like his in shape but……..

I asked Mr. Russell (in a very awkward, somewhat embarrassing and nervous manner which I will not disclose to you guys) that if the Celtics were leading the Atlantic division at the All-Star break if he and I could talk again. He graciously agreed. I will not hold him to it, as I think that would be imposing too much on this fine man’s time, but it was very nice of him to agree. I told him I was nervous and he said "Don’t worry about it" He said:  "I’ll make you deal, you don’t be nervous and I won’t be nervous" I said you have no reason to be nervous. We both laughed. I was completely in awe of this person and he just made me laugh about being nervous and showed what a gracious person he is. 

We said goodbye and my dream conversation was over. Just like that……just like that.

I just want to say in summary four final things about this story and interview.

1.) I have no follow-up act to this!! And even if I did, how could I top Bill Russell anyway. Thanks Jeff Clark for the space to write this and for your help.

2.) Bill Russell re-energized me about the Celtics this year, and in just being a lifelong Celtic fan – Thanks Mr. Russell.

3.) If you have ANY inkling that you might want to attend an adult fantasy camp then I encourage you to go check out Mr Russell’s Legend camp. I want to go so bad, but I cannot it appears.  I hope some of you can go:  http://www.friendsofbillrussell.com

4.) Long live the Boston Celtics and long live Mr. Bill Russell.

Peace

A CelticsBlog.com Exclusive Interview
Part I
By Mitch Hylton (aka Master Po)

I have always had a tiny hidden desire to have an opportunity to share a few words or moments with a handful of famous people I admire. To name a few: Bob Dylan, Mohammed Ali, Bob Marley, Willie Nelson, and of course Bill Russell. These are people who I saw as remaining true to their own inner voice, while being under the outside pressures that many of us would crumble under if we were thrust into a position of fame. Somehow they stayed true to their beliefs it seems, and at the same time, changed the world around them in a positive and lasting way.  

Now don’t get me wrong here. I don’t mean a weird burning passion, desire or insane quest to track famous people down, and force myself into their private sphere for a minute, while waving a piece of paper, microphone or camera  in their face. I did not do that to Mr. Russell! I simply mean a small hidden fantasy that someday I might cross paths and talk with someone whom I have admired from afar. To have a chance to let them know that I have admired what they have accomplished, and what they represent to me and many others. To be able to ask this legendary person a few questions and have him talk to me for a few private moments is quite a rare opportunity that I never anticipated.

Well sometimes the winds of fate and synchronicity kindly blow your way and take you on a brief ride of good fortune. I had such a brief ride of very nervous pleasure last Thursday when I spoke with Mr. Bill Russell on the phone for 40 wonderful minutes. Shortly thereafter I had a mini-stroke and threw up.

Without boring you with the details of how exactly this interview came to be, or without describing to you in detail how a 49 year old man was almost too giddy to talk once he had "his big interview moment", let me say the following about this specific CelticsBlog article and the following Bill Russell interview:

1.) Jeff Clark – thanks again for letting me be a part of this blog site all these years and writing articles about my real passion – the Boston Celtics. Without this forum I would have not spoken to Bill Russell, and thus not had a permanent twinkle of real satisfaction dancing in my Celtic green tinted eyes.

2.) This whole interview/fate "thing" started when I was investigating something on the internet that all of you should take a look at as well. Bill Russell is conducting an adult fantasy camp for basketball fans in October in Las Vegas in which spots are still available! (http://friendsofbillrussell.com). When you go to the web site and look at the legends of the NBA that will be at this camp (unprecedented it seems), and when you read below in my interview about what Mr. Russell hopes this camp provides for the lucky participants, I think you will begin (like me) to try and desperately find way to pull the money together and get to Las Vegas. I am still trying!

I hope all of you CelticBlog members enjoy reading the following interview at least a fraction as much as I enjoyed conducting it. Mr. Russell talks about the Celtics and this upcoming season expectations. He talks about the big trades to bring in KG and Ray Allen, and was it the right thing to do. He talked about his best friend, Mr. Red Auerbach, which I found to be a wonderful portion of the conversation. I learned things I had not read before during this portion of the interview. He discussed the current status of the NBA, what he would change in the NBA if he could, and many other things. Again, I hope you enjoy reading it.

Hopefully, I convey to you as an amateur writer what clearly came across to me over the phone: Mr. Russell is as passionate, kind, straightforward, sincere and funny as you know him to be in public. He treated this very nervous professional Celtic fan living in Kansas (posing as a seasoned sportswriter) with patience and humor as I tried to ask him a myriad of questions. The world could use more Bill Russell’s, but I am grateful for the one we all still have, and for the moments I spoke with him.

The Interview:

I started off by thanking Mr. Russell for taking the time to answer a few questions and letting him know of course how I was a huge fan. I am sure I sounded a bit like Chris Farley interviewing Paul McCartney on a Saturday Night Live skit a few years ago.

Mitch/CelticsBlog (MCB) – Let’s first start with your current focus which is the: "Bill Russell and His Legendary Friends Adult Basketball Camp" being held October 17th-20th in Las Vegas at the Wynn Hotel. What is the main inspiration for you behind this camp?

Bill Russell (BR) – I just want to have some fun. I went to a camp last year and I had a good time, so I asked myself: if I were to have a fantasy camp what would be a real fantasy camp for me. And so, I called all these guys who are friends of mine and all of them said "when do you want me there?"

MCB -  The list of Legends at this camp is quite amazing – Sam Jones, John Havlicek, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Julius Irving, Kareem Abdul Jabar, Jerry West, Oscar Robertson and  others. Have "Legends" of this Hall of Fame stature ever been gathered at one basketball camp prior to this event? It seems unprecedented to have this "Legends" lineup for a group of Adult fans to be a part of. How did this all come together?

BR – Well like I said, I went about this with ones I would like to see, so I called these guys and they all said "when do you want me there" and that was their immediate response. So we said:  "let’s do it".

MCB – Well I can’t imagine a bigger list of NBA legends being assembled at one camp. I do want you to notice that as a die hard Celtics fan, as I read the list, I read off the Celtics names first.

BR – (Laughs the famous Bill Russell laugh) All of these guys are friends of mine and we have developed a friendship over the years. For example Larry Bird and Jerry West had the exact same response when I said what would you think about doing this. They said: "I’ll do that" (laughs again)

MCB – This sounds like an opportunity that adult basketball fans may only get once in a lifetime. Can you give me a quick rundown on what the lucky participants at this camp can look forward to during this three day event?

BR – Well, first of all we have this set up like a league and all these guys will be playing basketball, and at the same time giving out pointers. It is in Las Vegas at the Wynn Hotel. All these guys will be right there answering questions, giving pointers and the guys can ask them why they were so successful with their specialties and how this can relate to basketball players of all levels and not just superstars. The participants will get a chance to hear from these guys and know them on a first name basis and play some good basketball with them. Most of are kind of old though (laughs). The most important thing (as it is in most of my life) is to have fun.

MCB – I understand at the very end of the camp there is an opportunity for the participants to play golf with some of the Legends. I was wondering if Charles Barkley will be allowed to play golf, and will helmets be provided?

BR (again the BR laugh) – Charles and I have played together a few times and he always tells me "he wants me, he wants me" and I always say "bring it on" (laughs)

MCB – It’s quite a golf swing Charles has.

BR – It’s what we call… different.

MCB – I notice at this event that the camp allows the participants to bring along one additional guest to be a part of the evening dinners and events as an added bonus.

BR – yes, we are talking about fun-filled evenings. It’s one of the reasons we chose Las Vegas, as that is a place known for having fun, so I think we will have some fun.

(Again I strongly encourage any of you interested in attending an adult basketball fantasy camp to please go check this camp at the website for full details. Please be aware donations to my own Bill Russell Legends camp attendance fund are very welcome)

MCB – I want to switch gears a little bit with you and begin to ask you some questions about the Celtics.

As the Boston Celtics enter their 62nd Season in the NBA, and they now move forward without the great living presence of Red Auerbach, do you see yourself as the inspirational patriarch of the Boston Celtics?
 
I certainly know the Celtic fans see it from that perspective, and it seems obvious, at least from a fans vantage point, that the torch has been passed to you by Red? How do you feel in this regard and your role as Celtic leader?

BR – I would never consider myself the Celtic leader. I am just guy who played there and enjoyed it. I am a fan of course, but I would never consider myself in that role.

MCB – Let me put another way, I think when most people of the Boston Celtics the first person they think of is Red Auerbach and the second person that comes to their mind is Bill Russell.

BR – Only because I am the oldest (followed by the Bill Russell laugh)

MCB – No I don’t think that’s the only reason sir.

BR – I am just the oldest ex-Celtic (emphasis) – if you want to call it that. (he was just too humble to answer this question which I expected and respected his brief answer).

MCB – You’re too humble. It’s been almost 21 years since the Celtics raised a banner and yet last year, even though it was a tough season, the fans at the new Garden were still there, and despite this 21 year drought, the Celtics fan spirit still seems to be alive and well. What is your thought on Celtic fans over this long dry spell?

BR – The Celtics never give up for one thing (emphasis on "never give up" in his voice) and with the addition of the new teams and the way the draft is set up it is more difficult for a quick turnaround. It now seems we have made a major jump in getting that turnaround.

MCB – That leads to my next question as I am very curious as to your opinion on this subject. After waiting 21 years for a new banner to be raised do you view this new team now assembled by Danny Ainge, as having all the right physical pieces, and the only things missing perhaps is chemistry and time to gel with each other.

BR – Yep….I think this is going to be a fantastic opportunity….but I don’t think the fans should expect the team to jump out of the gate and win the first 5 games, or the first 10 games, or anything like that. It’s going to be a process where these guys learn how to play with each other. You see it’s very difficult to play with stars because you do not know how you should react when one star starts "doing his thing" (as we call it). So you we have three stars, who have been stars for many years, so we don’t know how they are going to react to each other. So that is a whole process in itself and it has to be a learned process.

MCB – Was it the time right in your mind to switch from a Celtic "youth movement" i.e. cash in most of your young talented and valuable player chips and go for an opportunity to win it all in the next 36 months. Was it really the right time to do that?

BR – Oh yes, when an opportunity like this presents itself you cannot hesitate. You must seize the moment so to speak and it was definitely the right moment and the right thing to do.

MCB – I have been reading a lot about the Celtics since the big KG trade on various NBA news sites and Celtic blog sites. I have ran across this underlying feeling by some fans that in the NBA today there is sense that you simply "buy teams" to quickly win more than you "grow teams" to win. How do you feel about that?

BR – It may seem that way but it is not accurate. When you buy stuff you first have to shop. You must first determine what is out there than can really help you. You just can’t buy players willy-nilly that may never help you. With the Celtics when you get a chance to get the guys they just got, well, you can’t miss that opportunity.  

There is more to come in the interview I wanted to break into parts. Why? Because I am slow and very poor at typing accurately, especially transcribing an interview off of a digital tape recorder. Bill Russell Part II – The Legend Continues is coming soon to a theatre near you.

A few days ago, Jeff wanted to help entertain us while the losing has stopped. He said maybe we could dust off our old VHS tapes, and watch the Celtic glory years in these sweaty days of July and August. You all know the "glory years" don’t you? When Toine 3-ball Walker wiggled and fiddled (without being held at gunpoint) and taught Paul Pierce the art of shooting ill-timed 3 pointers from 45 feet and how to whine at the referees for 48 continual minutes.

Jeff also suggested we might want read the Dilbert Comic strip and thus forget about basketball for awhile. Are you kidding? Forget the pain? Forget the agony of da-feet? He even went so far as to suggest that we research other NBA teams? Why dear Lord would we do that? To see what winning feels like? I am getting used to this losing thing, baby! It’s my new "comfortably numb losing feeling". It keeps me grounded……well below ground actually, during the heat of summer. I like living in the cool dark loser’s basement during the hot dry summer of my own 21 year discontent.

Wanting to immerse myself deeper in the misery of the further anticipated losing in the 2007-08 season, I went to work these past few days on inventing some new Celtic Board games and toys to use for the remainder of the summer. I think these games and toys would be great to play and share with young Celtic fans everywhere to get them started off on the wrong foot of losing the "Celtic way". On Sale Now – call 1-800-Shop PO!!!

see product detials after the jump

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Top 10 Things on Danny Ainge “To Do List” if Ping Pong Balls fall wrong:

10.) Call Bill Russell and say â€" “you available next year for the Lottery â€" that unlucky stinking Tommy blew it!”

9.) Check out available seats on the next flight to China.

8.) Refine spin speech about how deep this draft really is this year.

7.) Send a book to Wyc entitled “Conspiracies in the NBA”

6.) Ask Perk if he has ever seen the movie “The Godfather” and does he know where David Stern lives

5.) Order Doc the complete set of “Coach Better Basketball” DVD’s.

4.) Call Season Ticket Holders and tell them you are personally available for Lawn Mowing and other home projects â€" just call 1-800-Save-Danny

3.) Call Paul Pierce and tell him Antoine Walker may be available and they can shoot all the three’s they want next season.

2.)   Ask Scali if the baby needs him home next season and that you will grant him permission to take as long as he needs to stay home and nurse.

And the number one thing on Danny’s list if the ball bounce wrong!!!!!

1.)   Call Kevin, Larry or John Mellenkamp and ask about the cost of splitting a big bag of weed.