This post was submitted by my sister, Kathy. She is the true writer in the family and the best Celtics fan EVER! Enjoy!
According to all the knowledgeable pundits, we are watching the changing of the guard in the NBA. The Grizzlies already overturned the reign of the Spurs in the Southwest, the Lakers are on the brink of elimination in the West, and the new look Bulls with their young MVP are destiny’s children. The Celtics may well follow this same trend at the hands of LeBron’s Heat but, as Herb Brooks said 30 years ago, “Not this game. Not tonight. Tonight, we are the greatest team in the world”.
Thanks to the grit of a bunch of old “Ballers” (as Doc refers to his team), Celtic fans have another legendary memory to add to their list of Greatest Games Ever. KG found the fountain of youth, Pierce played like a man possessed, Ray locked down D-Wade, and Shaq provided an emotional lift befitting his stature as Leader of the Old Guard. But tonight was all about “Shorty” – that stone-faced, obstinate point guard better known as Rondo. As a kid on the playground, Rajon probably bragged that he could beat his opponent with one arm tied behind his back. Last night, he did just that and forever cemented his legend in Celtic lore. Rondo’s performance is being compared to Larry Legend and Bob Cousy when they similarly dragged their broken body parts onto the court to save the game in their respective generations. Rondo says that he was just doing what his team needed and what any of them would do to win. Today, Celtic fans can take heart that Rondo finally “gets it” – the “It” being what it means to be a Celtic. Sacrifice, toughness, and PRIDE and that is very good for the future of the franchise. In the next year or so, the old guard will be gone but Rondo will still be here to continue the legend and teach the new guard about being a Celtic.
The Celtics may well lose this series to the Heat and follow in the path of the rest of the NBA’s Old Guard. On the other hand, Doc might be channeling his inner Herb Brooks and whispering in Rondo’s ear:
I’m sick and tired of hearin’ about what a great team the Heat have.
Screw ’em!
This is your time!!
Now go out there and take it!
Quilted Baseball 
and may I add — Happy Mother’s Day to all the mom’s out there who raise sons like Rajon. We are not perfect and neither are our sons but once in a while, we realize that they were listening after all!
Great post. I am in no way a Celtic fan, being that I live in NYC but Rondo showed something so rare in today’s professional athlete. And you nailed it, Heart! So many players (present and future) will hopefully learn from Rondo and be better for it.
Many thanks for your compliment and comment. It seems that true fans are true to the game — no matter where we live and what team we support!