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BOSTON – It’s hard not to love this Celtics team, right?
No matter where your loyalty is, no matter how much you loathe Boston’s rich history, no matter how much you want another team to win, it’s just impossible not to love these guys.
That’s because they play with the heart. They play with guts. They play hard physically and mentally. And, most endearing of all, they play for each other without a hint of ego inside their locker room.
Those characteristics are what helped them finish off defending champion Toronto Raptors’ season Friday night in Game 7. They are what pushed Boston to the Eastern Conference Finals for the third time in four seasons. They are the ones who could propel the Celtics to their 18th world championship next month.
Game 7 was another bloodbath. Boston and Toronto hung their hats on the defensive end for the entire season and series, and they did so again Friday night. Neither team managed to shoot better than 41.3 percent from the field. Neither team managed to shoot better than 28.6 percent from 3-point range. It was an offensive fight from start to finish.
From the beginning it was clear that this game was not to be won skillfully. Instead, it was to be won with the aforementioned characteristics: heart, guts, and toughness.
In the end, as Jayson Tatum said, “We wanted it more.”
It sure looked that way.
Boston didn’t score a field goal during the final 5:20 of the competition, but still found a way to take home the winner-takes-all competition. He did so relying on his overly pleasant features.
Whether it’s Marcus Smart’s incredible blocking from behind on Norman Powell with 58.2 seconds left, or Tatum’s effort on the offensive glass after a missed free throw with 34.9 seconds left, or Grant Williams’ strong defense on Fred VanVleet that sealed the game, Boston just discovered a way, either way, to do it as a group.
“I turned the ball over, we missed a few shots, and you just have to pull up your shorts and grind and defend,” Tatum explained of the decisive moment. “Make a stop. Rebound. Do not make excuses. Four or five minutes left, it’s time to win. Do whatever it takes. ”
The Celtics followed suit, and have now scored their ticket to the NBA Final Four for the third time in four seasons. This trip, however, feels different.
It feels different because of the enjoyment that comes from that wardrobe; the celebration and appreciation these players have for each other.
In years past, there were players who drenched themselves in prominence. There were others who sought him out.
That is not bad. It worked for those teams. For this team, however, it’s about sharing the limelight and lifting each other up.
Jaylen Brown sat down in his postgame press conference and didn’t speak a word about himself. His words revolved around the people around him; those who lift it every day.
He talked about learning and growing with Tatum. She spoke about the humble leadership of Kemba Walker. He spoke broadly about the positivity that this list encapsulates on a daily basis.
“This is a great group. Tough group. Resilient group,” Brown said. “We have a lot of heart. A lot of fighting for ourselves. We don’t back down from challenges. That’s what we need from each other. It’s inspiring to be in the locker room with these guys. ”
“Inspiring,” the 23-year-old said to describe his teammates.
“I am grateful to be together with those guys.”
Then there’s Walker, who was stuck in purgatory in Charlotte for the first eight years of his career, never on a team that was good enough to advance into the first round of the Playoffs, but never on a team that was good enough. bad. -Finish talent through the Draft.
Walker came to Boston as a free agent for this same experience. He wanted to win, no matter what his role was.
During this series, as Toronto suffocated him with a box zone and one, his role was to play off the ball and let his teammates work. He did it without hesitation.
The result was that Tatum averaged 24.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game during the series, while Brown averaged 20.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game.
Those two players, along with Smart, led Boston throughout this series. Walker contributed when needed, and he’s fine with that.
“It’s everything I was hoping for,” he said of signing up to team up with Boston’s young stars. “I knew how cool those guys are. I knew how hard they worked. I knew they were rising superstars. I felt that I could help them a little in their growth. It’s everything I expected. It’s been a lot of fun being with these guys. ”
The feeling is mutual. The Celtics have not been shy about the importance of Walker’s presence as a firm leader, one who adds positive energy to the room every day. His presence has given the Celtics even more joy at his success.
“I’m very happy for him,” Brad Stevens said of Walker after Friday’s victory. “You deserve to experience this. It’s everything good about basketball. He loves the game. He’s a great teammate. He doesn’t care if he gets some of the glory. He’s a special guy. ”
Truth be told, Walker is not alone in that regard. This is a special group, one that’s so hard not to love.
