From Porto to Rome: a journey of a global Celtic

[Global Celtic]

As you probably know I live in Porto, Portugal, which means I’ve always had an entire Ocean separating me from my lifelong passion, the Boston Celtics.

I’m now in my mid-twenties but when I was a kid I remember being fascinated by all those legendary teams we had, with some of the all-time best like Larry Bird (i always irrationally defended him as the best ever against Magic and Michael Jordan), Kevin McHale, The Chief, Danny Ainge and even Dominique Wilkins. I was also fascinated by that magic atmosphere within the original Garden, so when I had to choose a team to support (every kid must support a ball club), I choose the best one at that moment: the Celtics.

The distance somehow amplified my passion and I always tried to get as much information as possible about the team, the results, the players, the transactions, all that could be related to the Celtics. The only way I could watch games, though, was on national television that broadcasted a few NBA games per week (now the situation is better ‘cause there is a portuguese cable network that broadcasts 4 or 5 games per week, but I still have to pray so that they pick a Celtics game and then watch it at 01:30 am…).

My interest somehow slowed down by recent years disillusions. I kept thinking “Will we ever win a championship again?”, or “Will we ever form a team like the Bird-McHale-Parish one? One which can really represent the Celtic pride?” Maybe that’s not unanimous, but I think the only two recent players that have shown they were worth of the Boston Celtics legacy were Paul Pierce and Al Jefferson. When you are a Celtics fan for almost 20 years, you suffer with such a short number.

Suddenly everything changed in the 2007 Draft day. When that day ended, I was keeping an unexpected smile on my face: we got Ray Allen. And, most important, we got the Celtics fans interest back. This sign would dramatically improve our team, and this is definitely a good sensation to have. Like (I think) Wyc Grousbeck said, “The best marketing tool is to win, and the second best is expecting to win”.

Everything was just boosted when Ainge got Kevin Garnett. Ok, we had to let go specially Al and Ryan Gomes (can you imagine what those guys could do backing the Big Three?), but Garnett-Allen-Pierce are just three words that kept us dreaming… worldwide.
When i saw on NBA.com that the Celtics would play in Europe i thought to myself, “This is it. I got to be there”.

If you’re wondering why I’ve chosen the Celtics-Raptors game in Rome… I didn’t! Simply the Celtics vs T’Wolves game in London was sold out several months ago!
The “bellíssima” city of Rome will stage my first live game of the Boston Celtics. And with the most exciting C’s team in years! Perfect.

(to be continued… in Rome)

[FLCeltsFan]

Great post global! Pretty exciting stuff - it gave me goosebumps. I have been a fan of the Celtics since the 60s and have only once gotten to see them live and that was when I lived in South Florida and got to see them play the Heat in Miami. It was a dream come true because I got to follow the bus to their hotel and got to interact and get pictures with the original big 3 and they were really gracious and stood around and talked to the fans for a long time, even when they had to be hungry and tired after the game.

I am very, very excited for you and can't wait for your reports from the game. KP for you for bringing back some great memories and for the excitement of being able to share your experience.

[DERRENMATTS]

Yeah, can't wait to hear your first hand report, Global. You can represent Celtics Green. Maybe you can even advertise our website!!!

[Global Celtic]

Hello you guys!

I’m back from the ancient and somehow chaotic city of Rome where I had my first live experience of the Boston Celtics.

Of course you know the result, you’ve seen the game and you know everything that happened on those 2 hours.
So, I just can tell you the other side. The “being-a-Celtic-fan- travelling-2383km (about 1500 miles)-to-watch-a-game” side.

I first went on a 6-hour drive from Porto, Portugal, to the Spanish capital, Madrid. Then I had to wait three hours to took a low-cost flight to Rome (I’m a motorsport journalist, I don’t get 1/178 of Kevin Garnett’s salary!).

I arrived Friday morning but in the previous day I got some bad news when I called to Rome’s NBA commission: NO TRAINING SESSIONS OPEN FOR THE PUBLIC DURING CAMP. “Security reasons”, they said. Ok, I could understand that. But isn’t this supposed to be an event to get European public closer to the NBA teams? Not a single open session?

Rome is a very interesting city if you’re looking for history. You have two metro lines that cover all the monuments and historical places. It was fun to have a look at the Colosseum and, few minutes later, being at the Vatican. By the way, I’ve heard that Garnett ironically suggested staging a Celtics game at the Colosseum, but is the guy aware of the original (and much darker) purpose of the place?

Saturday afternoon I went to Palalottomatica, the home of Lottomatica Virtus Rome, the team where Allan Ray plays. There were a considerable number of Celtics jerseys around the place. Actually, I saw about 15 to 20 people wearing Celtics jerseys (mostly Paul Pierce #34, some Bird #33!) and only two Raptors jerseys (and one of them was a kid wearing a Vince Carter’s!). I guess that’s the difference of being a legendary franchise…
Anyway, in the end of the match I noticed that dozens of Garnett’s jerseys were sold to the italian public. In some time now will be the difficult to say what is the most popular Celtics number.

When inside the place I was surprised to see that there were already about ten Celtics players on the floor warming up... two hours before the match! Mostly the new guys: Esteban, Jackie Manuel, Pruitt, Wallace, Dahntay, Eddie House, also Pierce, Perk, Rondo and Tony Allen.

Watching that first warm up I immediately picked some notes:

Tony Allen is on the verge of becoming a scoring machine. His jump shot has improved dramatically and his effectiveness (without opposition) is now almost perfect. It’s visible he’s been working hard on his shooting mechanic, and if he can fully recover his explosiveness, believe me, the guy will be HUGE! More a mental question now. I think confidence will be the key.

Esteban Batista looks good on the offensive end, but don’t expect him to be at Perk’s level right now. His shooting is not as good as Perk’s and his defense must improve, like Doc said few days ago. Clifford Ray can help him develop into a defensive center, but I think he’ll have to work hard to see more playing time that in Atlanta. Powe seems to be Doc’s first pick as Perk’s back up. A good signing though, with potential to exploit.

Dahntay Jones is an unbelievable dunker. His leaping abilities are awesome! I just hope he has something more to add to the team than just some spectacular plays.

Rondo still isn’t shooting well. All that working during summer, for what? I also noted that he NEEDS an up-tempo offense. He does his best in a fast paced team.

Pruitt can develop into a real threat for Rajon. He’s got a lot of talent, shoots well and seems to be a very good athlete. The only question is if he can be a true playmaker at NBA.

Perk has clearly lost some pounds and is more mobile now.

Speaking of weight, Big Baby may really have a problem. When the guy first entered in the court I was shocked: he really looks fat. I didn’t want to use that word but that’s the impression you got when you see him live.

During the game some, two players really stood out.

Eddie House surprised me a lot at the point. I thought he was just a shooter but he played with energy and looked really good organizing our offense. Another alternative if Rondo can’t develop fast enough.

Pierce is still our natural leader. He’s so altruist… I remember him celebrating a Garnett’s dunk-and-foul play like if it was his own play… I just love this guy. He really deserves a ring.

At the end, I went back to the hotel with a good feeling. We’ve beaten the reigning Atlantic Division champions and with one of our Big 3 not playing particularly well (Ray Allen). The trip was worth it.

See you all!

[FLCeltsFan]

Great report global! KP for writing it up for us! I am really glad that you had the chance to go to the game.

[DERRENMATTS]

Global, thanks a mundo for your report!!! I enjoy reading the things you've seen in practice--things the average fan doesn't get to see.

I'm smiling, just thinking of Tony Allen coming up big this season. I really like TAllen--I think if he sharpens up his dribbling and tightens up his jumper, he can be a scary player.

I've heard Ainge say that Pruitt has had an impressive training camp, and you're reporting the same. Right now, he's just a practice player (he was so so in the Raptors game, his 1st game as a pro), but as his confidence grows, I hope he can show his shooting stroke. I don't think he's a playmaking PG like Rondo, but again, we don't rely on a playmaking PG in our offense.

Again, thanks for the report Global.

[cfoo]

That was a really good report global. I also have hopes for Pruitt. He can be a player . He has a ways to go. It's also reassuring to see what you saw from TA. It's one thing to see these guys on TV but in person gives a different perspective sometimes. TA is someone who is really key off our bench this year. Jones is another guy who if he can get time could be another tough guy for us. Ainge has really brought in a lot of guys that can play. Pierce is going to have a monster season this year I think.

[freshnthehouse]

Kudos for the intel, Global.

[The Eye of the Q is upon you!]

Celtics looked allright in the 2nd half - replay I saw Sunday night..... That is why I cut out of the CSL town meeting. Looks like the Big 3 will play great together and incorporate the starting PG and C (Little 2). Also House, Tony Allen, Posey, Powe, and even Baby will form a nice bench. Woops forgot to mention Scalabrine (Coach in training). That is 11. Less impressive was Gabe Pruitt. The players will play multiple positions and hopefully solve the match-up problems that need to be worked and make this our most successful season in 22 years. I'll post more on my blog when I get time (something I don't seem to have at this time).

[eddietours]

man every day l wakeup with a smile l tell myself why am so happy oh ok celtics are back