The Celtics Mission #18 Launches Tonight

The Boston Celtics will score another basket tonight for their storied franchises’ history, as they will raise their 17th NBA Title banner to the rafters at home tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 2008-2009 NBA season will tip-off at 8:00pm tonight at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, MA. The Celtics are hoping to claim their 18th NBA Title. In fact they have already won an NBA record 17 titles, in the leagues’ 61 year existence.
When that 17th banner is raised into the air tonight, keep in mind the fact that the Celtics dedicated last season to former coach and NBA Hall of Famer Red Auerbach, who passed away just before the start of last season. Upon the raising of this banner, Celtics players from last year’s team will etch their way into Celtics lore. So tip your cap one final tie for to the 2007-2008 Celtics, as the 2008-2009 season is about to begin!
The Celtics will be embarking on a journey tonight in an attempt to capture their 18th NBA Title and are hoping to repeat as world champions. This is a feat they have not accomplished in 40 years, they last repeated as champions in the 1968-1969 seasons.
However, the Celtics “Big 3” will be returning to action tonight, and they are hungry for the start of the new season despite having already won a championship last year. Tonight is the beginning of a new season and the players know their mission and how to accomplish it. "We know what we want to accomplish now," said Celtics captain Paul Pierce. "A year ago today, we were trying to figure it all out."
Despite the loss of key bench player, James Posey who signed a 4-year deal with the New Orleans Hornets in the offseason, the Celtics feel confident going into the upcoming season. Celtics GM Danny Ainge feels confident in the options the team has in replacing Posey, second-year guard Gabe Pruitt had an outstanding preseason, as well as J.R. Giddens and Billy Walker. Keep in mind, the Celtics also have third-year guard Tony Allen as another option, like Pruitt he also had a tremendous preseason.
They will be up against a familiar foe tonight, as the Cleveland Cavaliers and Lebron James (keep in mind I will never say Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, that’s just rude!), will try to start their season with a big win against the reigning champs. The Celtics won eight straight games to open last season, before losing to the Miami Heat and won a best-of-seven playoff series against the Cavaliers last season.
The Celtics relied heavily on defense to win their 17th NBA Title (they held opponents to 90.3 points per game), and they know to key to winning another is by taking the same path. Tonight’s priority is shutting down Lebron James. They know the ability he has to take over a game, as they witnessed in last years’ playoff series against the Celtics.
So as the Celtics begin Mission 18 tonight, wave a final goodbye to the memories of last season, and say hello to the beginning of the memories this year offers. And always remember, we STILL have the Big 3. Thanks Kevin, Paul and Ray, you guys have brought Celtics basketball back to glory, let’s continue that trend.