Boston 3-Party Era Memorable Game #10

Now on my second post without really talking about this year's Celtics team (and BRAD STEVENS). I missed the Spurs game on Wednesday night, and hopefully will be able to watch the likely bloodletting against the Pacers this evening and coming up with some thoughts.

In the meantime, ever since the spiritual father of this blog signed off and mentioned the possibility of a top-10 memorable games of the KG-era, I've been putting together my own list in my head. What better time to begin bringing that list from my head to the internetz than a Friday afternoon when I should be working. We will check back in with this from time-to-time, mostly the times when I can't think of anything interesting to say about the current hoops season.

Without further delay, we begin the countdown with the 10th most memorable game.

#10 vs. Denver Nuggest, 11/17/2007
How is the third regular season game after the team's offseason overhaul before the 2007-08 season the 10th most memorable of this epic six-season run? In this case, for decidedly personal reasons. The additions of KG, Ray, etc. during the summer certainly renewed my interest in the team, but I assumed my fandom would consist of checking out the team on the many occasions they were featured on national TV (or when they played either the Knicks or Nets, as I was living in New Jersey and could watch all their games).

I spent the early portion of this Nuggets contest having a very spirited g-chat with aforementioned H.S. Slam, Phd. He was enjoying the early stages of this game so much, that he urged me to splurge and purchase the NBA League Pass, allowing me to follow the season all year. At the time I was not making much money and living in a fairly pricey town in an apartment I really couldn't afford. All that took a backseat at the repeated urging of my friend, and by halftime the good people at Cablevision were adding more than $200 to my bill.

I did not regret that decision either that night, or for the rest of the season. What stood out about that game (and the season in general) was the beautiful way that first edition of this Celtics era moved the ball. The defense got most of the attention during the Championship run, but that was the best offense the team featured during this stretch. Despite having talented offensive players, this team was never a particularly potent offensive squad, but its peak was year one when Boston ranked 10th in the League in points per possession.

It seemed every player on the team had been infected with KG's selflessness, and every player on the floor looked for the open man and made the extra pass (or the RIGHT pass, as Jay Bilas often notes). It was beautiful basketball to watch, and IMO was never quite the same as that first season.

On this night, that passing absolutely pummeled the Nuggets in the first half, building a 39-point lead going into halftime. For me, I was now completely all in, making this otherwise meaningless regular season contest the 10th-most memorable game of this era.