Back in the day before television rights affected most of what professional sports did in the preseason, the Boston Celtics played some of this exhibition stuff right in our own backyard at the Bangor Auditorium.

Back then – the 1950s and the 1960s – some Celtics teams barnstormed in Maine from Ellsworth all the way up to Aroostook County.

Imagine that, then imagine the thrill for aficionados in New England to see the Men In Green in Bangor, playing the likes of the New York Knicks or the Philadelphia 76ers at the old hall on Dutton Street.

I don’t spend a lot of time following preseason play in any pro sport any more, but I do have fond memories of making my way to the Auditorium to witness my heroes up close.

The last time I witnessed a Celtics exhibition game in Maine was in Portland in 1980 when I was coaching the CBA Maine Lumberjacks of the Continental Basketball Association.

This year’s version of the C’s will open regular season play tonight at home versus the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Talk is rampant in Boston for a repeat title run of last year’s 17th world championship.

Can they do it?

From this corner, the loss of forward James Posey to free agency – Posey played such a vital role in the successful title quest – may be insurmountable.

Like the Celtics of old, however, replacing one key player with another was always the way the perennial champs did things.

Most experts – and I certainly don’t consider myself one of those – look to nifty guard Tony Allen to step in, assuring the team that they will not skip a beat.

Let’s face it, with a starting five returning that features the so-called Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce, it’s tough to consider anyone else but this bunch as anything but the odds-on favorite.

Admittedly, gone are the years in most sports, including basketball, where anyone can be considered a “lock” on a title.

My take on the future of the Celtics depends on three key variables.

First of all, locking in head coach Doc Rivers to a comfortable contract was a must.

As a longtime fan, I’m glad the front office gave Rivers a chance to excel with more talent. I learned a long time ago in coaching that the guys and gals who win, generally have the talent.

The Celtics have the players and the coach to solidify a nice run in Boston.

Secondly, keeping the nucleus of the aforementioned Big Three together for as long as possible should keep the franchise in the hunt for the next several seasons.

And finally, Glen “Big Baby” Davis needs to get more minutes – and he has so far in the early going of this preseason – to develop a true backup presence in the post.

Here we are again in an NBA frame of mind. No, I can’t catch the early games in Bangor, Houlton, Ellsworth, or Portland, but I can settle back and enjoy all the action in front of the old TV.

Yes, it does seem like old times, and all the winning doesn’t hurt continuing that attitude.

30-Second Time Out

I bumped into former Bangor High School softball coach Lisa Richards this weekend at the Bangor Mall. Boy, that triggered a lot of memories.

Despite her many years of service to the Bangor School Department in one teaching or coaching capacity or another, Lisa is best known for her years of broadcasting for the Maine Public Broadcasting Network as a color commentator for girls high school tournament play.

Richards’ low-key approach to analyzing all these games is her TV trademark.

Seeing Lisa again reminded me that another high school basketball season is coming up.

If I can smell wood smoke in the air, then it won’t be long before all those basketballs will be bouncing on the many playing surfaces across the region.

I can’t wait.

bdnsports@bangordailynews.net