I remember back when the original Big Three roamed the Parquet and the Bad Boys ruled in Detroit and the Celtics-Pistons games were always a war. They were anticipated and it was a toss up in every one which team would come away a winner. That rivalry had gone down the tubes along with the Celtics. For a long time, it hasn't been much of a rivalry because the Pistons had risen to the top and the Celtics had sunk to some very unfortunate lows. We are back to the point where the Celtics-Pistons game tonight is a big game. It is another chapter in this storied rivalry. I took this opportunity before tonight's battle to look back over the past via YouTube. First, we look back to last season where we lost so many close games, especially against the Pistons who had the ability to turn it on defensively to pull out games. This was when moral victories still ruled the Celtics fans. They lost but the kids showed potential.
Another reason why beating the Pistons would be very nice.
This one is my very favorite play from Celtics lore. Game 5 of the playoffs, the Pistons were up 1 with the ball and just seconds left. But, you could never count a team with Larry Bird out. Hopefully you can never count out a team with KG, RA and PP either.
Back in 2002, the over-achieving Celtics beat the Pistons in the second round of the playoffs. Some good memories here for sure. It had been so long since the Celtics had a winner but that team had achieved just about all it was capable of and Danny started the dismantling and rebuilding the following season.
Finally, back to the really good old days. I remember in the post game interviews after the Bird incident, Laimbeer claimed that he was just going for the ball. When told this, Larry replied that he was just trying to give it to him. I can see a very physical series between the current teams as well.
