When you see the heat, you see the light. But which light is that? Is it the radiance of tomorrow's sun and summer? Or is the clearness of the path that potentially awaits, through this arduous, unrelenting championship path? Both are correct if you ask me.
But we, Boston, you see, we're not the heat. Cold is better as we are, as many a Northeastern elongated, nipping, bone-chilling winter would tell you. Heat can and will kill you, while you can put on layers to keep warm. That's layers of clothes, that's layers of depth. You take our top jacket of Tatum and Brown off, and you've still got Time Lord, Al, and Marcus underneath as a sweater. Dig deeper yet and you'll find the basic undershirt that comprises itself of Derrick and Malcolm.
What good is a summer and heat's warmth without winter? Would it be nearly as sweet without the winter? Miami surely doesn't know that. But we do. After all, as winter passes and we recall our perseverance through as much. A summer's heat merely is exuberance, without the ability to reflect. Camus once penned in Return to Tipasa about the chilling eternal victory, that should remain as an internal, focal rally within us all: This is the cry of all the characters of ancient drama brought face to face with their fate. This last resort was ours, too, and I knew it now. In the middle of winter I at last discovered that there was in me an invincible summer.
Things are anew, as a parallel to the changing weather of late around New England. Series score, series itself. Last year is last year. The French have déjà vu, literally translating to already seen. I'd like to talk about its opposite or jamais vu. It's literally never seen, but the concept in actuality means that as much as we're seeing the same faces and places again, from Miami the city itself, to Erik Spoelstra, to Jimmy Butler. But each time seeing either and/or all of them is the first time on Wednesday. Everything, everyone is a stranger. Nothing ever remains permanent in familiarity. In this case, the cliché beats down on us in another meaning: You only get one chance at a good first impression. Go above and succeed at doing so.
I also tend to believe today's success will rely on a lot of luck, but not luck in the traditional sense of the word: The luck and effort that you make and create. The type of luck Tommy would be proud of from afar. After all, the more you work, the more you exert, the more luck comes your way. As is the path to the Finals, there are never shortcuts to any place worth going. After all, what's the difference between ordinary and extraordinary? It's my monk's riddle to you: That very answer lies within the question itself. It's simply that little extra that comes first and foremost! The work will be hard, but it will lead to success. Only in the dictionary can success precede work.
Sure, this team can do everything it can to believe themselves, be that as individuals or as a unit. But I believe further its enemies, no matter if it's Miami, Denver, or the Lakers...they're the ones who make the Celtics live up to it. Don't expect that to be easy, either. The harder thing to do and the right thing to do are usually the same thing. Nothing that has meaning is easy. It doesn't have any part of adult life. To me, the easy way and choices only exist in a non-existent path that leads to the edge of a cliff. And you've got no physical support there, so you're going to fall to your inevitable doom.
The choices at minimum we shall face and endure: Conquer with ferocity, dearly cherish, and practice with cleverness in all that we do, be it in practice or education. These trials and difficulties will test us. As fans, but especially players. Success hasn't any value without struggle. They will shape us. But let them NOT change who they are, and they will not. Only we, no matter our role, can determine that.
If we should see to, or god forbid, play to the opposite of assuming anything is for granted, Shakespeare once again has us covered, this time from Henry VI, Part 3: They shall have wars and pay for their presumption.
Remain inspired, and play with spirit. Nothing will matter if there is no inspiration. These inspirations, these struggles...when they pay off, they will be tomorrow's days we wish to reminisce about. Let us not be shoved by the mind's fears, but be led, as a fanbase, as a team, as an organization bigger than any one of us, by the heart's dreams. Today begins life. And yet, what of life? It is yet short but mastering its craft, from our loves of sports, family, our passions, and loves. When it comes to those loves, we tend to become better than we once were, no matter where or when. When we become better as individuals, everything and everyone around us tends to do so as well. Live beyond what is known to be capable of. Live today, win today.
But we, Boston, you see, we're not the heat. Cold is better as we are, as many a Northeastern elongated, nipping, bone-chilling winter would tell you. Heat can and will kill you, while you can put on layers to keep warm. That's layers of clothes, that's layers of depth. You take our top jacket of Tatum and Brown off, and you've still got Time Lord, Al, and Marcus underneath as a sweater. Dig deeper yet and you'll find the basic undershirt that comprises itself of Derrick and Malcolm.
What good is a summer and heat's warmth without winter? Would it be nearly as sweet without the winter? Miami surely doesn't know that. But we do. After all, as winter passes and we recall our perseverance through as much. A summer's heat merely is exuberance, without the ability to reflect. Camus once penned in Return to Tipasa about the chilling eternal victory, that should remain as an internal, focal rally within us all: This is the cry of all the characters of ancient drama brought face to face with their fate. This last resort was ours, too, and I knew it now. In the middle of winter I at last discovered that there was in me an invincible summer.
Things are anew, as a parallel to the changing weather of late around New England. Series score, series itself. Last year is last year. The French have déjà vu, literally translating to already seen. I'd like to talk about its opposite or jamais vu. It's literally never seen, but the concept in actuality means that as much as we're seeing the same faces and places again, from Miami the city itself, to Erik Spoelstra, to Jimmy Butler. But each time seeing either and/or all of them is the first time on Wednesday. Everything, everyone is a stranger. Nothing ever remains permanent in familiarity. In this case, the cliché beats down on us in another meaning: You only get one chance at a good first impression. Go above and succeed at doing so.
I also tend to believe today's success will rely on a lot of luck, but not luck in the traditional sense of the word: The luck and effort that you make and create. The type of luck Tommy would be proud of from afar. After all, the more you work, the more you exert, the more luck comes your way. As is the path to the Finals, there are never shortcuts to any place worth going. After all, what's the difference between ordinary and extraordinary? It's my monk's riddle to you: That very answer lies within the question itself. It's simply that little extra that comes first and foremost! The work will be hard, but it will lead to success. Only in the dictionary can success precede work.
Sure, this team can do everything it can to believe themselves, be that as individuals or as a unit. But I believe further its enemies, no matter if it's Miami, Denver, or the Lakers...they're the ones who make the Celtics live up to it. Don't expect that to be easy, either. The harder thing to do and the right thing to do are usually the same thing. Nothing that has meaning is easy. It doesn't have any part of adult life. To me, the easy way and choices only exist in a non-existent path that leads to the edge of a cliff. And you've got no physical support there, so you're going to fall to your inevitable doom.
The choices at minimum we shall face and endure: Conquer with ferocity, dearly cherish, and practice with cleverness in all that we do, be it in practice or education. These trials and difficulties will test us. As fans, but especially players. Success hasn't any value without struggle. They will shape us. But let them NOT change who they are, and they will not. Only we, no matter our role, can determine that.
If we should see to, or god forbid, play to the opposite of assuming anything is for granted, Shakespeare once again has us covered, this time from Henry VI, Part 3: They shall have wars and pay for their presumption.
Remain inspired, and play with spirit. Nothing will matter if there is no inspiration. These inspirations, these struggles...when they pay off, they will be tomorrow's days we wish to reminisce about. Let us not be shoved by the mind's fears, but be led, as a fanbase, as a team, as an organization bigger than any one of us, by the heart's dreams. Today begins life. And yet, what of life? It is yet short but mastering its craft, from our loves of sports, family, our passions, and loves. When it comes to those loves, we tend to become better than we once were, no matter where or when. When we become better as individuals, everything and everyone around us tends to do so as well. Live beyond what is known to be capable of. Live today, win today.