Brooklyn threw the first punch in Game 3 Friday night, but then JT came in and delivered the knockout blow.https://t.co/ITMD9dtzPL
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 29, 2021
Not every season can end with a duck boat parade. Not every year goes according to plan. Some are disasters filled with disappointment and what-ifs. The 2020-2021 season for the Celtics was all of the above - a frustrating roller-coaster ride that left the organization and the fans that support it with more questions than answers. So it goes in the tumultuous world of sports.
But last nights 125-119 Celtics victory over the Nets was one to remember in a season of forgettable performances. Tatum dropped 50 points and legitimately looked like he could be the best player in the world. Is he the best Celtic since Bird? Possibly. Give him a few more seasons and some bolstered talent around him and we'll find out soon enough. It's insane to think he's only 23 years old.
There was also plenty of grit from role guys like Marcus Smart, Tristan Thompson, Evan Fournier, and Kemba Walker (despite his poor shooting). When Smart is on like that he is a treat to watch, and Fournier is certainly making the case for a re-signing. Thompson is finally showing the fans why he was brought in in the first place. Great stuff all around.
With all that being said, of course there's still a next-to-impossible hill to climb this season. It will take a miracle to beat this Nets team in 6 or 7, and even if that magically happens there are more goliaths to take down afterword. It's just not happening this year, and that's fine. But damnit if you can't cherish moments like this, even though the ship is going down, then why even root for a team? If you're only enjoyment can come off of titles being won, then have fun being miserable most of the time.
If the long war is the Celtics lifting banner 18 then last nights win was a small victory on the path back to glory. Tatum is becoming a legend right before our eyes, putting together masterful performances against some of the best in the history of the game. So for a few days I'm going to soak in the good feels and dream of what the future holds with JT as the leader of this team.
Not every season can end with a duck boat parade and there are still many questions to be answered. But there's one answer we definitely know: Jayson Tatum is a bonafide star and as long as this team has him there's hope.
- ZB James
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