The day has finally arrived.
Some will say today is just Game 46 on the schedule.
I call those people liars.
Today is not just some random game, sorry.
I know that’s what the players and coaches will say, but that’s because they have to.
The fact of the matter is, until we’re shown otherwise, the Warriors own this team.
Here’s a prime example, do the Celts own the Nets?
How many Celtics fans are saying no to that question?
That nothing else the Celts do this season matters if they keep getting punked by the Warriors.
Tatum’s MVP candidacy doesn’t mean shit if he can’t play well vs GS.
To me, none of that shit is real.
But it would also be a mistake to say that a game like tonight isn’t important.
It absolutely is, but for entirely different reasons than I’m hearing people talk about.
The Warriors and their Finals comeback have created a level of pain that has molded the 2022-23 Celtics.
Since Media Day it’s been the only thing the entire roster has really talked about.
Using that pain to get them back to the NBA Finals.
Their first crack at revenge didn’t exactly go so hot.
Throughout NBA history, we’ve seen teams have to find a way to beat their boogeyman.
For this era of the Celtics, the Warriors are their boogeyman.
They are the final boss.
Which brings me back to the idea of “importance”.
That’s the reality.
Playing well tonight and securing that win is important for the mental aspect of this team.
you might start to doubt yourself and that shit spreads.
If you remember, after that Warriors loss the Celts went on to lose 4 of their next 5.
They looked….off.
It was clear they were mentally fucked after not showing up in such a huge game.
It was said that the Warriors “broke” this team.
This time around we see the Celts enter the game in a similar spot.
These are demons I think you have to overcome if you eventually want to get over the hump yourself.
That’s how the NBA works.
When you watch them play you’re able to tell it’s mental.
Jayson Tatum doesn’t have a GS problem, the Boston Celtics have a GS problem.
Look at that box score again from December.
Tatum stunk, no two ways about it.
But….everyone stunk.
They ALL need to be better.
You know Steph Curry is going to come ready because he is the basketball devil.
So yeah, tonight is pretty important.
