Championship banner No. 17 is good possibility for Celtics

Our oldest son Scott is a graduate student in Boston, studying to be an architect. We are proud of him, and he also provides Dad with the mood of a city when pivotal franchise moves are made for his favorite sports teams.

Like the Red Sox and the Celtics, for instance.

So, what are the fans saying, son, about the Red Sox acquisition of reliever Eric Gagne?

“We don’t need him, Dad,” he said. “Acquiring another closer just mixes up a bullpen that was pretty solid.”

And the Celtics trades for Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett? How about those moves?

“Everyone is talking title. It’s been a long time, and people are anxious to hang another banner.”

And then, he asked: “Do you think Reggie Miller would ever come here?”

I respond, “Yes,” and then I tell him – and you – why.

Miller to Boston would be a move akin to something the late Red Auerbach would have pulled. Old Red dug more Bailey Howells and Wayne Embrys out of the scrap heap to put together title teams than any other GM on the planet. The end result of all this clever thinking was a string of titles – nine in 10 seasons, to be exact – that remains unprecedented in NBA history.

Yes, Miller will come to Beantown, if for no other reason than the chance to win a championship. Even at age 41, he can still deliver what this team still lacks, a wily veteran off the bench who can score.

For the record, it has been a number of years since I’ve taken the C’s seriously. Let’s face it, this once-proud team wallowed in mediocrity for so long that even the truest of fans grew tired of the malaise.

The old Celtics always seemed to find the missing link to their success. Add Bill Walton, former UCLA and Portland Trailblazer great, to the last Big Three of Larry Bird, Robert Parish, and Kevin McHale? What, are you kidding?

It worked, and now with Garnett joining Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, a Miller move might be the missing piece.

I have many fond memories of the preseason Celts, bringing their talents to such wayward haunts as Bangor and Old Town.

I saw former Orono High and UMaine great Peter Gavett completely shut down Celtic star Paul Silas one night in an exhibition game with fans leaving the MacKenzie Gymnasium at Old Town High School figuring Peter to be a lock for a roster spot. We were wrong.

There’s a lot to be excited about for Celtics fans in New England this fall. Garnett and Allen are quality players, on and off the court. Current star Pierce has been whining for a number of years for some legitimate help, and rightfully so.

From my perspective, the proper melding of the latest Big Three will transpire if two things happen.

First of all, the three large egos must find a way to play off each other and always distribute the ball to the hot player – always.

Toss into that equation the necessity to develop quality supporting players such as Rajon Rondo and Glen “Big Baby” Davis into consummate pros earlier than expected.

If all of the aforementioned factors fall into place, we may be hanging banner No. 17 sooner than expected.

And wouldn’t that make Boston proud, especially if the Red Sox and the Patriots add championship trophies to their own trophy cases.

Or, as Scott would say: “Sweet.”

BDN columnist Ron Brown, a retired high school basketball coach, can be reached at bdnsports@bangordailynews.net