First and foremost, thank you Danny Ainge for orchestrating everything that has transpired over the past 12 months. For years, everybody was waiting for you to live up to the word of “the plan.” We wanted veterans. We wanted direction. We wanted a competitive basketball team; you not only answered the call, you delivered more than anybody had expected. Thank you for making all of this possible.

Thank you Wyc Grousbeck, Steve Pagliuca, Rob Epstein, and the rest of the managing partners for digging deep into your piggy banks in order to push this team over the top. You guys repeatedly promised us that you would pay the tolls when the team was ready to compete, and you did just that. The Celtic family is lucky to have a group like this. They aren’t just in this business to make a profit… they are die-hards at heart. That’s rare, and it’s real.

Thank you Doc Rivers and the coaching staff (particularly defensive mastermind Tom Thibodeau) for teaching ubuntu and guiding this team to the Promised Land. Along with the thank you, I issue an apology. An apology for critically questioning your ability to take this team to its destination. Everybody talks about the growth of certain players, but nobody has grown over the past month and a half like you have, Doc. No coach is perfect, but there are a lot of so-called “great” ones that have been unable to convert talent to a title. Your motivational tactics are one of a kind. Your charisma is special. Your dedication is immeasurable. You deserved every drip of that Gatorade bath, and you earned the right to call yourself a champion. Despite my past displeasure, I’m now proud to say that you are coaching this team.

Thank you Paul Pierce for sticking out this 10-year roller coaster ride and remaining a Celtic. Thank you for holding yourself back from becoming “Kobe-ish.” Thank you for allowing us to witness your significant growth as a player, a person, and a leader. Thank you for literally giving your blood, sweat, tears, and nearly your life to this organization from day one. Thank you for displaying an irreplaceable level of mental toughness, and overcoming multiple overwhelming obstacles. Thank you for being a Celtic. Enjoy this one, captain. You deserve it as much as anyone.

Thank you Kevin Garnett for absolutely changing the culture of this organization and basketball team. The coaching staff preached defense from day one, and that Defensive Player of the Year award doesn’t tell the half of your dedication to that mindset. It also doesn’t explain the emotional transformation that you’ve poured on this fan base, as well as the one out in Minnesota. If there has ever… ever… been another NBA player that has had as much of an emotional impact on his fans than Kevin Garnett, I’d like to set up a meeting to talk about that unknown player, because I wouldn’t believe you if you told me otherwise. Watching KG celebrate being on top of the world touched my heart in a way that it has never been touched before, and I know for a fact that I’m not alone in saying that. The fact of the matter is that my feelings towards Kevin Garnett’s impact is downright impossible to put into words. Thank you, Ticket. Thank you for everything.

Thank you Ray Allen for elevating your game when it mattered most, despite the largest shooting slump of your professional career weeks prior. Thank you for displaying incredible professionalism and classiness. Thank you for the most beautiful shooting stroke to ever dawn a Celtics uniform. Thank you for sacrificing you own individual game as much as, if not more than, anyone else on this roster. You’re a true champion, both on and off the court. Thank you, Jesus.

Thank you Rajon Rondo for refusing to fold under pressure and prove the naysayers correct by holding this team back from glory. You displayed a great level of mental toughness, professionalism, and rapid maturity that most 22-year-old guards do not have the privilege of saying about themselves. Your future is bright, and I think I speak for Celtic Nation when I say that “we’re pleased to have you.” May the NBA get Rondo’d for years to come.

Thank you James Posey for your all-out, do-whatever-it-takes state of mind. Thank you for your leadership, experience, clutch play, and irreplaceable hustle. You define the Tommy Point. Your enthusiasm and dedication epitomizes Celtic Pride. Once again, I speak for Celtic Nation when I say “please come back, Pose!”

Thank you Kendrick Perkins for your work ethic, toughness (both physical and mental), and enforcer mentality. Thank you for holding down the paint with KG, and thank you for that intimidating scowl. Thank you for showing Rasheed Wallace that the Celtics do indeed have a formidable center.

Thank you Eddie House for bringing instant offense and energy off the bench all year long. Thank you for that quick catch-and-shoot jumper. Thank you for bringing your son, who I refer to as “mini House,” on board for the ride. Thank you for remaining patient, professional, and ready at all times. From NBA journeyman to NBA champion, you’ve gone through one hell of a ride.

Thank you P.J. Brown for coming out of retirement. It’s great to talk about “The Big Three,” but I’m not so sure this team is pouring Champaign on each other without your veteran presence off the bench, your clutch play, and your leadership. You were only here for three and a half months, but your impact was significant to this team’s title run. They can’t call you a “ring chaser.” You earned it.

Thank you Leon Powe for being an absolute inspiration both on and off the court. For everything that you’ve gone through since childhood, you deserve this in a big way. You’re not only a likeable guy, a professional, and a champion… you’re a role model.

Thank you Glen “Big Baby” Davis for becoming an instant fan favorite as a product of your hustle and electric personality. Put in work and you’ll continue to get places with those traits, big fella.

Thank you Sam Cassell for your leadership, enthusiasm, and that big ol’ smile.

Thank you Tony Allen for staying positive and keeping your teammates loose with your energy level both on and off the court. Even when you were a product of the dreaded DNP-CD, you were waving towels like a madman and cheering your team on. After those unfortunate knee injuries that were thought to ruin your career, it was gratifying to watch you fight through it all and become a winner. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about. Much success is wished upon you, green or not.

Thank you Brian Scalabrine for providing a goofy sense of humor and being a consummate teammate.

Thank you Scot Pollard for your unique personality, and while a bit “different,” a very entertaining Planet Pollard segment.

Thank you Gabe Pruitt for staying positive, remaining patient, and accepting your spot on the team. Your time will come, but for now, realize that only two rookies are able to call themselves champions. You’re one of them.

Thank you national media outlets and so-called “experts” for making complete fools of yourselves and providing extra motivation for Boston to once again overcome the role of the underdog.

Thank you Gino for providing Boston fans with the ultimate victory cigar, a lot of laughs, and a great deal of fun at the end of victories at The Garden.

Thank you Comcast Sports Net for terrific Boston Celtics coverage all year long. Thank you Greg Dickerson. Thank you Gary Tanguay. Thank you Donny Marshall. Thank you Mike Felger. And most of all, thank you Mike Gorman and Tommy Heinsohn for hands down the best broadcasting duo in league history.

Thank you Red Auerbach for engineering the greatest franchise in basketball history. You are the Boston Celtics. You are the patriarch. As John Havlicek likes to say, you are the godfather.

Thank you Boston fans for making the TD BankNorth Garden, often referred to as the “New Boston Garden,” the toughest building for opposing teams to play in. Thank you for sticking with this team through thick and thin. We’re a part of Green 17, as well. Take pride in that.

Green 17!

One Response to “Thank You”

1. Celtics247.com » Blog Archive » Today’s Links 6/20 Says:
   June 20th, 2008 at 11:06 am

   [...] Herald Who’s up for an encore? Well worth Paul’s wait Playoff Replay: NBA Finals Livin’ in Hub of hate Rondo right on money Playoff Replay: Eastern Conference Semifinals Playoff Replay: Eastern Conference Finals Playoff Replay: Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Taxpayers to turn over at least $300,000 for rally Eddie House: House call a big help 38 specials add punch Kevin Garnett: The complete package James Posey: Hey, Mr. Big Shot Rajon Rondo: Young but not restless Kendrick Perkins: What a great Perk Glen Davis: Oh Baby! What a find Leon Powe: All heart and soul Celtics celebrate Banner 17 with Hub victory march Everyone played a role Ray Allen: The silent assassin Best moments from the Celtics 2008 Rolling Rally Celtics join victory parade Danny Ainge’s vision proved to be right Globe Hoop Heaven Signs and T-shirts of champions For 50 year fan, this one is still sweet Sox to honor C’s Green Wave: The Celtics rolling rally Communal crown Leprechaun hailed, but Sox still Hub king Parades just part of past championship celebrations In Auerbach-style, Celtics fans celebrate the day with cigars Fan, 77, basks in the revelries with grandson Coach who felt heat now basks in the glow Crowds at parade exalt the ‘Big Three’ Don’t know, don’t care Role players get special respect for their tenacity and grit T carries a sea of faithful to the festivities In court of public opinion, neither age nor era matters Celtics in good health The greatest of the green It’s a wrap Various posts on Globe Celtics blog MetroWest Daily Gotham happy to be a fan again Celtics play a starring roll Celtics.com Celtics Fans Gather to Celebrate NBA Title CelticsBlog Thank you assistant coaches ‘98 draft, PP vs Dirk: D the difference maker? LOY’s Place Thanks Red Celebrate! NBA.com Title dreams realized for Celtics’ trio Celtics fans gather to celebrate NBA title Finals photos Hoopsworld Six steps to better officiating Roster moves in store for Boston and LA? Red’s Army Back to business Houston Chronicle When all stars align, Celtics become NBA champs again It’s perfectly all right to be envious of Boston Press Enterprise Quite a week for Ray Allen Bleacher Report Boston Celtics: Are you ready for some defense? That’s ok Boston, you can have Paul Pierce- Kobe’s still the man Paul Pierce makes good on draft day promise 17 final thoughts on capturing championship #17 Washington Times In loss, Kobe’s the only one to blame Daily Breeze Pierce, Celtics light up a few celebratory stogies for Auerbach LA Times MVP? More like MIA Kobe Bryant: I’m comfortable with what we have Second to first rarely happens in the NBA Indy Star Pacers may trade for extra first rounder The Dirty.com MVP Paul Pierce a fraud? Dime Champions celebrate, Team USA starts to formulate Pierce and Co know what title means NY Post Raves for Rondo Connecticut Post Celtics: the better team - our enemy - ourselves Celtics joyride ends in euphoria Fox Sports Only time will tell if Celtics are team for the ages Metro C is for Champions AFP Celtics celebrate NBA championship with huge parade News Line 9 Success of Pierce may remind Milwaukee fans he could have been a Buck CelticsNews Thank you Slam Online Celtic joy, happiness, glee BostonSportZ New LA got Rondo’d Commercial This is hysterical Wicked Good Sports Red is smiling USA Today On this day of Celtics joy, remembering Len Bias Yardbarker Purple - Rondo’s blog Celtics Championship parade TriValley Herald Hayward connections laud House’s NBA title run Times Picayune Celtics, Brown revel in fortune ESPN Sweet vindication for Doc Rivers Lex Nihil Novi Red semi retires after title #15 KC Jones a winner in first year Seeds for banner 15 Notable and quotable ‘84 L’s couldn’t stop C’s simplified offense No substitute for supersub McHale DJ proves his worth against purple G Henderson the unsung hero Celtics sing Hail to the Chief Bird wins finals MVP Gloucester Times Thoughts on the tribute to the Celtics Fly Guy Sports Once the celebrating is done, Ainge has to get back to work Enterprise After the title what’s next? Steady Burn Barkley stays debt free Leon Powe Fan Site Leon celebrates Eagle Tribune Like Olympic hero Jansen, KG and company shed choker labels ProJo New big three had a sense of urgency Five things we can learn from World Champion Celtics Patriot Ledger Celtics are toast of the town Celtics victory parade draws plenty of fans from the South Shore Lowell Sun Celtics celebration: This day has finally come Celtics starting five will be around for another try Cape Cod Times Long time coming for Celtics WBZTV Doc Rivers auctions off Gatorade stained shirt [...]

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