Hearts are with Celtics, minds say otherwise

The NBA playoffs are generally divided up into two major categories; the first is true championship contenders, and the second ? well, let’s just say they are there for the ride. This year, however, we have a third category. A category with a team that has zero realistic shot at a championship; however, it doesn’t know it. This is a special team, one that has fought through injuries, expectations, and Father Time. This category belongs to your Boston Celtics.Regardless of how their series with the Bulls plays out, the boys in green can head into the off-season with their heads held high, for not one time can the Celtics be accused of going through the motions. It is funny, though ? although playing for pride may be enough to pacify the fans, it is not enough for the defending champs. This team really believes that it has a shot, and that’s what makes it so unique. Maybe it believes that it’ll eventually get a lift from Kevin Garnett, or maybe it thinks that somehow Rajon Rondo can continue averaging a triple double, or maybe it is as simple as that it is listening to its heart instead of listening to its head.One thing is for sure, if the Celtics hope to extend their season further, they will need to play near-perfect basketball, as their room for error is about as deep as their severely depleted bench. The Celtics’ lone remaining big man, Kendrick Perkins, is well aware of the fine line between winning and losing.”You’ve got to take it one game at a time and do your job,” Perkins said. “You have to take each game like it’s your last. I think sometimes we slip up a little bit and get comfortable with a five-point lead. We can’t do that. You can’t be comfortable – at all.”It takes a great focus, man. It takes guys putting their time in. Whatever you put into your game, that’s what you get out of it. If guys just think we’re going to show up and win a game, that’s not going to happen.”Perkins added, “I think we’ve got the ingredients to win, I think we’ve got the talent level. I think our bench is key for us. We just need a few guys to step up off the bench and we’ll be all right.”Whether Perkins knows it or not, the Boston Celtics as currently constituted do not have the talent to win a championship. The important part is that they don’t know that yet, and with any luck the Celtics will continue to play with the heart of a champion. Who knows? Maybe somewhere down the line a seven-foot, 20-point and 10-rebound defensive player of the year will pull a Curt Schilling. If not, then the Celtics did themselves proud just the same.