The Boston Celtics, backs against the wall, face elimination from the playoffs yet again, the fourth time this postseason. This time it’s at home, Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Golden State has won two in a row, so you can remove the “Celtics always bounce back from a loss this postseason” card off the table. The team, lacking energy at the end of Game 5 and focus in the fourth quarter of the last two games, could use an extra spark, some fire and focus. Perhaps that could come in the form of a special guest at TD Garden.
Though unconfirmed as of the night before tipoff, there’s a belief that The Big Ticket himself, Kevin Garnett, will be in attendance as a special guest of Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck for Game 6 Thursday night at TD Garden. Grousbeck teased a "special guest" who is a "former Celtic champion" in an interview with the Boston Globe.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, so maybe Wyc, coach Ime Udoka and company realize this talented but recently troubled team could use a little extra something. That little extra something could come in the form of a visit or pregame speech from arguably the fieriest competitor to ever put on a Celtics uniform.
No extra motivation should be needed when you’re on the verge of elimination, yet also two games away from an NBA title. Yet it’s clear the team needs something. Jayson Tatum looked tired at the end of Game 5. Jaylen Brown hasn’t been able to take over scoring. The bench has almost gone missing at times. Confusion has reigned supreme late in close games recently for the C’s, too. Perhaps a Hall of Fame player known for his intensity and refuse-to-lose attitude could help inspire them to take their game to another level, back to the winning track.
Yes, on Garnett’s last visit, the day his No. 5 was retired to the rafters of the Garden, the Celtics lost to the Dallas Mavericks at home. That was one of the few losses during a time when Boston was playing great team basketball, gaining momentum toward this epic postseason run. Now it’s win or go/stay home time. The crowd will do everything they can to propel the Celtics to a win, forcing a deciding Game 7 on the road. Maybe the presence of one of the game’s most fearsome competitors, an NBA champion, one who helped raise Banner 17, will take them over the top.
Hey, after all, anything is possible, right?
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