After six straight years of more or less uninterrupted success, the Celtics are about to find out who their real fans are.
Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Doc Rivers are gone, and Rajon Rondo‘s future in Boston is uncertain at best. Just about all links to the team’s last NBA championship, in 2008, could be gone by the time the trade deadline passes this coming season. The green bandwagon will probably get quite a bit lighter, if it hasn’t already.
Still, simply rooting for the Celtics as they go through their rebuilding process isn’t enough to mark anyone as a true fan. The most dedicated green-teamers know all about the history of the team, its place in the game and why the franchise inspires so much reverence. Winning a bunch of championships isn’t enough — otherwise, the Celtics would merely be the basketball version of the Yankees. In fact, the Celtics revolutionized the sport and extended their influence beyond the NBA to become a symbol of fairness and excellence in turbulent times.
Call yourself a Celtics fan? Then make sure you brush up on these facts before your next trip to TD Garden.
