Boston Celtics: 4 storylines that defined a memorable 2017-18 season
By Dylan Woods
![BOSTON, MA - MAY 27: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts as he stands next to LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second half during Game Seven of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 27, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) BOSTON, MA - MAY 27: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts as he stands next to LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second half during Game Seven of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 27, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/d346300888ac18d99d367c894d59eab783fc2f160402f0500e54d17a0b8fcff8.jpg)
What in the world went wrong?
The Boston Celtics have no one to blame but themselves. Everyone knows the number by now: 7 for 39 from three. Terry Rozier was 0-10. Marcus Smart shot four threes and missed them all, because why not. I’d rather Greg Monroe take a halfcourt shot with a blindfold on.
Jaylen Brown was 2 for 11 if you don’t count the useless three he hit at the end of the game, the most ironic shot he has ever taken. Al Horford missed a wide open three that could have cut the lead to 1. Marcus Morris did the same.
Shots clanked off the rim and you could here the wails from the crowd. Please, someone, anyone make a shot. It never happened.
A team that did so much to get to this point lost it all. The crowd and players were stunned. For the last time in 2018, the Celtics walked off the TD Garden floor.
All season, the Celtics had defied the odds and kept winning. Now on the biggest stage, the ultimate chance to defy the odds, the favorite still won. LeBron gets his 8th straight NBA Finals appearance. He gets all the praise, all the media love once again.
For now, the Boston Celtics are the team that was really good but still lost. The team that had a great season but didn’t get it done. Don’t get me wrong, they exceeded expectations. But losing a winnable game to send LeBron packing? That chance might not happen again. Immediately after the game is not time for praise. Which is why I waited a day to write this last part.