You can barely see it but there’s a banner outside the arena too.

Once inside, the atmosphere was buzzing with Celtics fans ready to see another banner raised to the rafters. As if being at opening night for the World Champion Celtics against Lebron James and the Cavs wasn’t enough, they were also handing out free t-shirts! I love me some free t-shirts (who doesn’t) and the back is particularly sweet as it’s just a big ass banner.

If you weren't jealous of my tickets, check out this free shirt!

As we waited for the championship ceremony to begin, the crowd got very lively with the first wicked loud “Let’s Go Celtics” chant of the night and the season. My section (313, the best section in The Gahden) lit up with appreciative smiles at the decibel level of the chant. Our corner of the arena started it so we were proud that it got so loud.

The ceremony began with a video of last year’s highlights that got the crowd even more pumped (check in tomorrow or Friday for videos from last night). Then, NBA commissioner David Stern (who contrary to some reports did get booed as he was introduced) tried to give a speech, but the crowd got another wicked loud “Let’s Go Celtics” chant going that completely drowned out his words and forced Stern to simply sit down and shut up. It was one of the highlights of the nights.

This gap would be empty for only a few more minutes.

Then they began handing out championship rings to the Celtics staff. Danny Ainge got a big cheer and Doc Rivers got a huge, huge response from the crowd. Then, they started announcing the players. Huge responses for all the players but especially Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and last but certainly not least, Paul Pierce. After the rings were handed out, all the players walked over to the right side of the court, where a spotlight slowly illuminated a giant green and white championship banner. All the players grabbed a piece of rope and began lifting the banner in unison to the rafters.

The Celtics raise the banner the same way they earned it, with teamwork.

To the rafters!

Aaaah, now I can truly die a happy Bostonian sports fan!

After the ceremony, the starting lineups were announced, and then Paul Pierce came out onto the court for a special message. He began by telling the crowd that last season, up to tonight with the culmination of raising that championship has been a dream come true. With tears swelling in his eyes, Paul thanked the fans for sticking with him through the tough years and his friends and family for giving him support when he needed it most, and he ended it by thanking his mom and saying he loved her. Goosebumps traversed the entire arena and it got quite dusty all of a sudden.

Ahem.

Then there was a basketball game between the World Champion Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Lebron Jamesiers.

Tip-off.

Ray Allen shoots…

The Celtics dancers tearing up the court.

Paul Pierce wins the game and the match-up against Lebron James.

Overall, it was a great night. Paul Pierce scored 27 points, with Lebron scoring only 22 points, which proved to be the difference as the Celtics beat the Cavaliers 90 to 85. The C’s defense of the title started off great, hopefully it ends just as well! Check in either tomorrow or Friday as I post some videos from last night, including some of the introduction video and championship ceremony. In the meantime, you can check out all the pictures from last night in my photos section.

Here’s a hint:

#17 will be unveiled

Yup, that ticket is awesome. Getting to see championship banner #17 hoisted up to the rafters almost makes up for not being there in person when they won it (I had tickets to Game 7). Yeah, that ticket is twice the size of a regular ticket (not counting the left side, which rips off). Normally I don’t keep my tickets but this one will be preserved.

Gonna be a great night!

Half Season 22-Game Plan – Home Schedule

Game – Date – Opponent – Time

1. Friday, October 17 - New York Knicks – 7:30 p.m. [pre-season]
2. Tuesday, October 28 – Cleveland Cavaliers – 8:00 p.m.
3. Friday, November 7 – Milwaukee Bucks – 7:30 p.m.
4. Wednesday, November 12 – Atlanta Hawks – 7:30 p.m.
5. Tuesday, November 18 – New York Knicks 7:30 p.m.
6. Wednesday, November 26 – Golden State Warriors – 7:30 p.m.
7. Wednesday, December 3 – Indiana Pacers – 7:30 p.m.
8. Friday, December 5 – Portland TrailBlazers – 8:00 p.m.
9. Friday, December 19 – Chicago Bulls – 7:30 p.m.
10. Tuesday, December 23 – Philadelphia 76ers – 7:30 p.m.
11. Friday, January 2 – Washington Wizards – 7:30 p.m.
12. Monday, January 12 – Toronto Raptors – 7:30 p.m.
13. Monday, January 19 – Phoenix Suns – 8:00 p.m.
14. Wednesday, January 28 – Sacramento Kings – 7:30 p.m.
15. Thursday, February 5 – Los Angeles Lakers – 8:00 p.m.
16. Sunday, March 1 – Detroit Pistons – 1:00 p.m.
17. Sunday, March 8 – Orlando Magic – 1:00 p.m.
18. Monday, March 23 – Los Angeles Clippers – 7:30 p.m.
19. Sunday, March 29 – Oklahoma City – 7:00 p.m.
20. Wednesday, April 1 – Charlotte Bobcats – 7:30 p.m.
21. Wednesday, April 8 – New Jersey Nets – 7:30 p.m.
22. Friday, April 10 – Miami Heat – 7:30 p.m.

I didn’t get to see the Phoenix Suns last year so I’m also pumped to see them! Most importantly though, it’ll be great to see the Boston celtics raise up another NBA Championship Banner on opening night.

This championship still feels a little bit surreal.

Check it out, J.R. can fly!

Note the comment from DizZLEFosHiZZLE34 from a week ago ["the c's should pick this kid up with the last pick in the first round"] on that above video…looks like Dizzle either works for the C’s or is a serious draft prophet.

Here’s another sick dunk by J.R., this one being featured on ESPN’s top ten list (coming in at #7).

Nice! I’m getting pumped to see him in some Celtic green!

Not only can J.R. dunk, he’s got a nice shot too. He shot over 50% from the field and 33% from behind the arc. Here’s a nice three minute long montage of J.R.’s monster dunks and sweet shots.

The analysts are saying Mr. Giddens has “character issues” but with the ubuntu vibe around here I’m not too concerned. I’m going to trust Danny Ainge and if Danny thinks J.R. is good, then that’s good enough for me.

Here’s a final clip of J.R. and one of his Lobos teammates during midnight madness. A nice showcase of the skills he brings to the court.

Let’s go Celtics!

I’ll post some pictures, analysis of the game and series and my experience tomorrow. For now, I’ll let Mr. Brian Scalabrine break down why the Boston Celtics should have been the favorites all along.

You’re one of a kind Scal.

Let’s go Celtics!

So contrary to what I wrote on the last day of May, I had tickets to Game 2 of the NBA Finals, not Game 1. It was a great game and Bill Simmons from ESPN.com made a few great points in his article, C’s and the city: Both looking very good.

First up, Bill offers up some advice to the Celtics owners:

(Here’s an idea before Game 6, should it happen: The Celtics send out a news release that, if they see anyone sitting in a season-ticket seat for Games 6 or 7 wearing a Lakers jersey, a Lakers T-shirt or a Lakers hat, then the person who owns those season tickets will lose them next season. Period. End of story. It’s not technically legal, but then again, a franchise should have the right to control who owns their season tickets, right? I like this idea.)

I like the idea too. As a half season ticket holder I received tickets to half the playoff games, getting games 2 and 7 of the Finals. I couldn’t think of selling my tickets, though I’d certainly entertain offers (from Celtic fans only though). I’m loyal but I’m also successfully unemployed. Still, the point Bill makes and I agree with is you shouldn’t be selling your tickets to Lakers fans if you’re a true fan, and if you’re not a true fan you shouldn’t have season tickets.

Bill goes on to list the huge, huge amount of current and former Boston sports stars at Game 2 which leads into his next point about how the current Big Three sports franchises here (Celtics, Red Sox, Patriots) all share similar traits, starting from smart ownership understanding the power of happy fans. When the times are good, there is no better place for an athlete to live than right here in Boston. We’re a small, tightly knit college-town city with big, big sports teams. Bill noticed the “…lively, joyous crowd that brought back memories of the old Garden and the Bird era.” that’s played a big role in the Celtics success all year long. It really, really gets wicked fracking loud in that building, trust me.

You know, I’m going to make this a Bill Simmons‘ only version of Web Quotes and Counterpoints and finish off with this last quote from Bill’s latest article:

But even Kobe can’t stop the sun from shining in Boston today. Everyone is wandering around a rejuvenated city with hoarse voices, talking about the game and trying to figure out what will happen in Game 3. There is nowhere I would rather be. The Celtics are back.

Truth.

Sometimes it seems Rajon Rondo is scared of shooting the ball but tonight his 16 assists showed his true talent at distributing the ball and illusioning the defense. Paul Pierce led Boston with 28 points and pretty much offset Kobe Bryant (both had 4 rebounds and 8 assists, though Kobe scored two more points but took seven more shots).The team as a whole played great and even during the Lakers furious comeback the crowd kept their faith and stayed loud. Great game.

The Montreal kids who were sitting next to us somehow got tickets to this, their first NBA game and were wicked impressed with Boston and the atmosphere here. Even with the heat wave making everyone a bit crazy, it’s a great time to be in Boston right now. It’s times like now that make it super-apparent how awesome this city can be when everyones in a good mood. We’re a small compact city so a good general vibe is crucial and the C’s are certainly helping the cause. Fantasticawesome.

So, MVP of Game 2 for sure goes to Leon Powe. Check out this ESPN video on Leon’s past and what he persevered through to get to this point.

Click the shirts to go through to the Celtics pro shop. I just picked up one of each color. They won’t get here in time for me to wear to Game 1 Game 2 [oops] but I feel it’s gonna be a long series, seven games. Ya’ll know who I think is gonna win…

Let’s go Celtics! BEAT LA