Celtic Pride Lives On With 10 Games

That's the title of the article, NOT mine.  The author, apparently, is clueless if he thinks Celtic Pride is on display only for games when it's personal.  I know what he's trying to do, he's trying to be a towel-waver, I'm not liking the way he's going about it.  He's really digging deep by giving weight to the rumors of Rondo going to Detroit.

Sigh, less than 2 months until camp, less than 2 months.


http://sports.yahoo.com/news/boston-celtics-pride-lives-10-games-watch-2013-161300486.html


Boston Celtics’ Pride Lives on With 10 Games to Watch in the 2013-2014 Season
Yahoo! Contributor Network
By Warren Shaw | Yahoo! Contributor Network – 20 minutes ago

Jeff Green and the Celtics have a lot to prove, and that makes them worth watching.

COMMENTARY | The 2013-2014 NBA schedule has been released and for the first time in six years, the Boston Celtics are not a huge draw for the league as a result of their rebuilding direction. They will not appear on TNT or on ABC at all next season, and they will only have three games televised on ESPN.

Even with the lack of national television of exposure, the Celtics will still have a few intriguing games throughout the season, which starts for them on Oct. 30 against the Toronto Raptors.

Ho hum, you say? Well, how about these 10 games of interest listed in chronological order?

Still hating: Nov. 8 at the Miami Heat
Even with key antagonizing pieces missing from the Celtics roster, there is still no love between these two franchises. Ray Allen won't have to worry about getting dissed by Kevin Garnett, but the frigid temperament of Rajon Rondo toward Allen and the Heat should keep things worth watching.

If only I were there: Dec. 8 at the New York Knicks
Truth be told, the Knicks are responsible for putting the definitive knife into the hearts of the Celtics as we have come to know them in recent years. Rondo wasn't around to help defend Boston's honor in the playoffs, but he should be eager to prove his presence would have produced a different outcome in the series.

Doc makes a house call: Dec. 11 vs. the Los Angeles Clippers
The opinions on Doc Rivers and his decision to leave the Celtics still has Boston fans torn. Some feel he abandoned the Celtics, while others feel it was time. He will return with his new title-contending team in December in what should be a very emotional game for all parties involved. Jeff Green has stated that Rivers was one of the main reasons he re-signed with Boston last summer. Look for Green to be extra motivated in a game that will mean much more to the Celtics than it will to the Clippers.

Battle of the repaired ACLs: Jan. 2 at the Chicago Bulls
Point guard is arguably the deepest position in the NBA right now. This game will pit two of the league's best in Rondo and Derrick Rose against each other. Two guys who by the time they meet should be back at full speed after recovering from their respective ACL injuries. Joakim Noah will not have Garnett to bark at incessantly, but he will have rookie Kelly Olynyk to try and intimidate and maybe even share hair tips with after the game.

Shootout on the bay: Jan. 10 at the Golden State Warriors
The Warriors are thinking NBA Finals and might not be that far off in their thought process. They are one of the more fun teams to watch and play with great pace. Boston looks like it is going to be more of a running team next season as well. That combination should make for an exciting fast-paced game that will have Rondo and Stephen Curry taking center stage. The Green vs. Andre Iguodala matchup isn't bad, either.

Some beefs are everlasting: Jan. 17 against the Los Angeles Lakers
Neither team is what it used to be, but then again who is? With a largely new cast of characters now involved for both teams, the rivalry has lost some of its luster. But with two of the more competitive players in the league taking the court in Rondo and Kobe Bryant, there should be enough to salvage this Hatfield and McCoy-like feud.

The heroes return: Jan. 26 against the Brooklyn Nets
This will be by far and away the most compelling game the Celtics will play all season long. It will mark the second time the teams meet during the season, but the first time they play in Boston. The returns of Garnett and Celtics legend Paul Pierce will be an amazing trip down memory lane when their respective video tributes are played. If you ever wanted to see grown men cry, watch the face of Pierce and the fans in TD Garden that evening.

Pupil versus Idol: Feb. 9 against the Dallas Mavericks
Olynyk has stated that he is patterned his game after future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki. Hopefully, he won't be starstruck by one of the best stretch-fours of all time when they square off in February. If Olynyk can have even half the career and success that Dirk has had, the Celtics will be ecstatic. This game should be a good test for the rookie while providing Boston with some insight into the makeup of Olynyk against star players.

A post-deadline return?: Mar. 9 against the Detroit Pistons
This game will only have special meaning if the rumored trade of Rondo for Brandon Jennings comes to fruition around the trade deadline, as the Boston Globe suggests. This could potentially be the Rondo return game. Seeing Rondo in an opposing uniform that soon might be too much to bear for Boston fans after having already dealt with the returns of Doc, Garnett and Pierce earlier in the season. Time will tell as a Jennings-for-Rondo trade still seems a bit far-fetched.

Spoilers are us: Apr. 12 at the Cleveland Cavaliers
The end of the season should find the Celtics in an unfamiliar role as potential spoilers. Usually teams are playing for pride against Boston, trying to shuffle the deck of playoff seeding. The Cavs should be fighting for a playoff spot come April, and Boston could be in position to ruin Cleveland's plans all together or at least affect its finish in the top eight. If nothing else, fans can enjoy watching two elite guards go head-to-head with the Kyrie Irving vs. Rondo storyline.

Between those games, the return of Rondo and the debut of head coach Brad Stevens, Boston fans have plenty of reasons to stay tuned to the Celtics next season. It just takes a little imagination.

Warren Shaw is a NBA contributor to Dime Magazine and Co-host of the weekly basketball podcast "The Baseline". He has covered various NBA events live while also conducting one on one player interviews. His work can also be found at Celticslife.com and Prosportsblogging.com.


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