The Boston Conspiracy: The Truth about the NBA Finals

The Boston Conspiracy: The Truth about the NBA Finals

When the dust settled, Boston wins their 17th title as expected. It’s just a shame it had to happen via a blowout.

When I wrote the Game 4 review, I knew Boston will win the Finals. Yeah sure, I’m a BC guy but down 3-1, you have to know that the Celtics wouldn’t lose the Finals in a string of unfortunate events. I also predicted LA would win Game 5, since it will be pretty hard for the Lakers to lose two straight at home.

As expected, the Lakers creamed the Celtics, just like in Game 4. This time though, they won despite a rallying Celtics. Again, LA looked lost going towards the stretch. But never would I imagine such as an anticlimactic finish as that we have witnessed.

So where’s the conspiracy?

RED AUERBACH – His death sparked a lot of rumors. He lived when his team was on top and we died when his team was right below hell. He was the patriarch of the most successful franchise in NBA History. It was either Boston would go elsewhere or changes will be made. Of course, Boston stays… so change was inevitable.

DANNY AINGE – For years Ainge has been trying to change the Celtic lineup. The remaining constants were Paul Pierce and Doc Rivers. Rivers replaced John Carroll as the team’s coach in 2004 but couldn’t life the team past the playoffs. Pierce meanwhile had to endure roster changes. The most successful stint he had was when he had Antoine Walker as his wingman. Ainge hated Walker though. Back when everyone thought Walker and Ainge patched things up, Walker was traded to Miami. Walker eventually won a championship with the White Hot Heat and Ainge was left thinking of ways to endure another dead-last season.

With Auerbach dead and the Celtics on the verge of uselessness, one key ingredient was needed to spark change.

DENNIS JOHNSON – Johnson was the point guard of the 80’s Celtics championship teams. He died during a practice session where he was the assistant coach. His number 3 – was above the rafters of the Garden. Ainge was his teammate.

He also had other teammates.

KEVIN GARNETT – If Pierce thought his stint was a long futile ride, and then he should say this to Kevin Garnett’s face. Garnett has finally succumbed to the fact that he won’t get anywhere if he sticks with Minnesota. Boston was nothing in his options as teams like LA, Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Detroit, and Chicago tried to get his services. He hated the fact that he went to Boston. Why did he come over?

KEVIN MCHALE – Tipped as one of the most over guys in the all-time Celtic roster, he was also Minnesota’s GM. Sure he wanted KG to play in a contending squad but he also thought of the possibilities…

Ainge, McHale, and Larry Bird are the only Boston players that are still running organizations. They are also 3 of 5 key ingredients of the 80’s championship team. This may not be true but Ainge asked the two to help in rebuilding the club. Both agreed but one of them helped, realizing that the talent rub would suck in their favor.

AL JEFFERSON – He is Boston’s up and coming star with Pierce injured most of the season and with the team’s lack of starpower. McHale wants Jefferson. Bird also wants Jefferson. The key player for Minnesota is Kevin Garnett. The key player for Indiana was Jermaine O’ Neal. While both could have been good additions, Bird wouldn’t be satisfied by acquiring cannon fodders other Jefferson. Ainge offered to give up their pick in the 2007 Draft. But when the league’s worst team finished a lowly fifth in what was perceived as a weak draft pool, a Boston-Indiana trade went bye-bye.

SEATTLE – This prompts Ainge to find ways to get talent elsewhere. This was a match made in heaven. Seattle was opting to move to Oklahoma City and they seriously need to empty their salary cap. Boston needs to get another big name to get Garnett satisfied. As of this moment, Garnett had only Pierce and Rivers to rely on. Rivers is a player’s coach but his credentials are weak. Sure Celtic Legends often visit him, but he seems like moving from one crappy team to another crappy team. With the entry of Ray Allen, Garnett was satisfied. This was also the first team Dennis Johnson played.

THE VETERANS – The entry of Garnett and Allen was such a great move. It also made the Celtics a 7-man team. Ainge swarmed the league for the best utility men available. Scot Pollard, Brian Scalabrine, Eddie House, and James Posey have decent NBA experience to help groom Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, Leon Powe, Tony Allen, and rookie acquisition Glen Davis. Eventually, PJ Brown came out of retirement to play.

SAM CASSELL – Cassell won two championship rings with Houston at the start of his career. He asked for a release in his LA Clippers contract when he was contacted by the Celtics. Sure, Cassell is need to groom Rondo but he is something Allen and Garnett would like: Cassell was part of Milwaukee’s Big 3 that consisted of Allen and Glenn Robinson while he was also part of Minnesota’s Big 3 with KG and Latrell Sprewell at its helm.

With this, Boston suddenly had a competitive team. But there’s another catch in this team: this team was for one season only. Most of their casts are inexperienced and old hands. Their Big 3 are all aged in their 30’s. Everything they had is shouting “short-lived”.

But here’s the thing: Boston won a championship after 22 years. They have respected their cigar-smoking patriarch and their deep-eyed playmaker. This was one of the best moments in the entire NBA History… and the best finish they could possibly have.

LA LAKERS – Whether or not they wanted to be bridesmaids, the Celtics wouldn’t have been this popular if it wasn’t for the Lakers. From the days of Mikan, Russell, Cousy, Baylor, West, Heinsohn, Sharman, Chamberlain, Goodrich, White, Cowens, Havlicek, Archibald, Magic, Kareem, Bird, McHale, Parish, DJ, Maxwell, to the current Kobe-Gasol-Odom/Garnett-Pierce-Allen rivalry.

Congratulations Boston! Please start another dynasty!