Ghosts of '69?

May 06, 2011 - Courtesy of redsarmy.com


Havlicek "drops by" for some inspiration

Only once have the Celtics climbed out of an 0-2 hole to win a series. That just so happened to the NBA Finals against the LA Lakers back in 1969 (that included the famous "balloon game" in the clincher).

And one of the key guys in that series (or any series, really, for the C's of that era) was John Havlicek... who just so happened to be at yesterday's practice.

"John shows up when he thinks we need him," quipped coach Doc Rivers. "John just shows up. He's great. I love having him around."

Coincidence or not, his timing could not be better.

While the Celtics continue to maintain that they are confident that they can get back into their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup with Miami, it can only help to hear words of encouragement from a Celtics legend who has actually been there and done that.

"I love when all those guys come around," Rivers said. "Hell, I wish they'd come to every practice. I just think they got more stories, more truthful stories . . . " and with a glance towards the championship banners that hang on the walls, Rivers added, "and the history is above them. It's always good when they (Celtics legends) come around."

And Hondo made an impression on Big Baby:

"When things aren't working out, you can get all messed up," said Celtics reserve forward/center Glen Davis. "But I was talking to Havlicek -- you know, 'Havilcek stole the ball!' -- and I said, 'Which one of these banners [means the most]?' He said the one that stood out to him was 1969, when they were down 0-2 and came back to win it in Game 7 against the Lakers.

"He was just saying, it's going to take everything in you to fight and claw back to get back to 2-2, to even, and then it's going to take something special to finish them off."

The Celtics have dug themselves a hole. It will take all their energy to climb out of it. And once they ARE on solid ground again, they've got to fight someone who's trying to push them back in.

It might take everything they have. It might be take too much out of them for the next round. But we'll have to deal with it then. Right now... they've got to win tomorrow night. Or this is all just talk.

Here we are 42 years later, and history could repeat itself, as it often does.

bob


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Havlicek was my favorite player on the Celtics from his first day. I loved his energy, his spark, his fight. He never, ever gave up. I lived through the 67-68 season where the Celtics were down 3-1 to Phillie and ended up beating them on their home court to eliminate them. I sat right behind the Celtics bench in the Spectrum. What a thrill!!! As a season ticket holder, I couldn't have imagined what was to happen in the 68-69 season. The team played mediocre ball, but picked it up during the playoffs. When it came time for the
LA series, LA held court, and came back to Boston with their chests pumped
Russell would not be denied. They won here, lost in LA, came back to Boston and won, and then had to finish the series in LA. The illustrious
BALLOON game. When they won that game I thought I would go out of my
mind!

After living through that, I am of the belief that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE,
as KG said three years ago. I still feel they can do it, and will not believe
anything less until it is too late.

I hope they win tomorrow night, that way, when I am sitting courtside on
Monday, I will see a great game and the "real" Celtics will arrive at the party! Here's hoping for a repeat!

For Celtic Fans everywhere Hope Springs Eternal...How could it be any other way? I believe that this team has a chance to win everytime it steps out on the court. If this team can claw back and get back into synch, it has as good a chance as any out there to bring home a banner. GO CELTICS.

If history repeats, the stars will balance each other out and the little guys will make the difference.

In Game 3 in 1969, Larry Siegfried came off the bench and scored 28 points. In Game 4, Emmette Bryant made the crucial steal that led to Sam Jones last-second game-winner. Bryant’s steal was one of the clutch defensive plays in Celtics playoff history. The Lakers had a one point lead and possession of the ball with 15 seconds left. All they had to do was inbound the ball and run out the clock. Emmette Bryant anticipated the inbounds pass, swooped in and stole it, setting the stage for Sam Jones’s shot. Not to forget Don Nelson’s steady contributions throughout the series and prayer of a shot in Game 7.

On today’s team Delonte West might be Siggy in Game 3 and maybe Baby will take a charge in the closing moments of Game 4 leading to a Ray Allen game-winner. Throw in steady contributions by Jeff Green and Lebum taking himself out with five minutes left in Game 7. Yes, I want to believe.