Champion Celtics could help renew local basketball pride

I couldn’t help thinking about all this so-called Celtics pride as I was watching the victory parade in Boston last Thursday morning. After a 22-year absence, the 2008 NBA Champion Men in Green, were standing – er, rolling – in the winner’s circle again.

Like a lot of you, I grew up in a time when the Celtics always seemed to find a way to win. In fact, the C’s spectacular domination of the NBA during the late 1950s and the entire 1960s put a lot of pressure on future teams to maintain that standard of excellence.

This element of pride found its way into a single championship in the 1970s and three subsequent world titles in the 1980s, or the so-called Larry Bird years. Then the drought began.

What always amazed me with Boston’s entry in the NBA during the lean years was the constant mentioning, privately and publicly, about the championship years. It was as if the championship players such as Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Tommy Heinsohn, and a host of others could elevate the Celtics to a level of play that would emulate what once was in Beantown.

That rationale didn’t manifest itself into a championship until the other night in Game 6 against the Lakers.

For true Celtics fans, the malaise days were difficult to swallow. They really were. Experts deemed the original Big Three as Robert Parish, Kevin McHale, and, of course, Larry Bird. Since sports history is most often centered around generational thinking, I have to admit that my own Big Three would be the aforementioned Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, and Tom Heinsohn.

This past off-season, when general manager Danny Ainge convinced the likes of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to come to Boston and join talents with Paul Pierce, the age of the new Big Three came to fruition, and the 2008 title team was born.

For New England basketball, from grade school to college play, having the Celtics in the winner’s circle again is a good thing. Having members of that storied franchise’s latest champion in youth clinics, camps, and other basketball-related functions makes everyone feel better about their involvement in the sport.

I grew up – as did many of my peers – excited to be a part of a game that included legendary performers like some of the aforementioned stars. Heck, with the likes of these guys in our midst, basketball seemed the thing to do.

Toss into that mix local hoop personalities such as Skip Chappelle at the University of Maine and a bevy of local talent at Bangor High such as Jock McKernan, and you’ve got the makings of heroes that young boys can look up to and admire.

Those days will be imitated time and time again in recent weeks as youngsters prepare for next season in the summer off-season work.

Let’s hope our own governor, John Baldacci, can convince the 2008 NBA champs to share the trophy and all the associated hoopla with their Maine fans and friends.

30-Second Time Out

Recent high school athletic success by Brewer teams triggered a lot of memories for this old coach. I spent a lot of time playing and watching sports in Brewer.

I was especially pleased with the news that former Hermon High School boys basketball coach Clayton Blood has taken over the boys varsity basketball job at Brewer High. Here’s what Brewer and its surrounding communities can expect from Clayton.

First and foremost, this man is a teacher. His skills in English and its related subjects are outstanding. That classroom philosophy will be carried over into the gymnasium. Each night when the Witches take the floor, they will provide an exciting brand of basketball that will put a crimp into the style of most opponents, including the highly touted Bangor Rams.

Congratulations, Brewer. You’re lucky to get a man of Blood’s caliber in such a visible athletic position.

bdnsports@bangordailynews.net