Why the Celtics are set for the next 5 years

You're probably asking yourself how I could make such a bold statement, especially considering the age of the three superstars who anchored this team.

I'm a Celtics hooligan - this is very true. But I also believe the fortunes for now and the immediate future changed dramatically on July 31, 2007.

I remember being at the Red Sox game that night, sitting about 3 rows back from the field. The Fenway crowd is always electric, but on this night there was an extra charge in the air. The Sox were in first place and showed no signs of slowing down - but it wasn't them that we were most excited about. We were more excited about the man throwing out the first pitch. Kevin Garnett had come to town. The boys down on Causeway Street had just become relevant again.

I could keep going and chronicle the whole sequence of pivotal moments that led to the hoisting of banner 17 into the hallowed rafters of the Garden. But if you're reading this site, you probably know this. 

So let's get right to it. Reason #1...

Kevin Garnett. The man is a force of nature, on and off the court. As a big man, his window of opportunity is probably dwindling, but the example he set from Day 1 will resonate with a team that without the big 3 is essentially a team of very talented but inexperienced players. He showed these players what it takes to win, and we saw guys like Rondo, Perk, and Powe develop and mature this year, and a lot of the credit has to go to Garnett for setting a precedent that these young guys bought into. Paul Pierce may be the best pure talent on the team, but Garnett is without a doubt the emotional leader.

Reason #2...

The age and experience of the big 3. After one year of playing together, they won a championship. Think about what they can do with that same core of guys next year. Scary, isn't it?

Reason #3... 

You and me. And all of the people. Bringing a competetive team back to the Garden after a string of bad seasons (18 game losing streaks and early exits), bad contracts (Vin Baker, anyone?), and dwindled enthusiasm brought the excitement back to Causeway Street. The morale had increased and you could feel the intensity in the building, and in a playoff where the C's didn't win a road playoff game until the Eastern Conference Finals, that intensity proved vital to pushing the Celtics over the hump.

Reason #4...

The age and experience of the big 3. Yes, I know I already said this, and no, I'm not trying to prove a point by emphasizing it. These guys aren't getting any younger, and in a few years they will retire and pass the torch, thereby clearing a TON of money off the books. The C's can go out and sign two very good players with that money and keep their winning ways intact.

Needless to say, if you're a Celtics fan on July 6, 2008, you like where you are standing. Just wait another year - on July 6, 2009, you're going to like it even more.