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Boston Celtics: Top 5 Heartbreaking Moments in Celtics History

By Mateo Aycardi

PORTLAND, OR - FEBRUARY 24: Paul Pierce #34 and Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics wait to resume action against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 24, 2013 at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - FEBRUARY 24: Paul Pierce #34 and Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics wait to resume action against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 24, 2013 at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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2. 2010 NBA Finals Loss – The end of the Big Three

After some extremely painful years in the 90’s that saw the Celtics jump from league supremacy to laughingstock of the association, the Celtics finally struck gold with their selection of Kansas star Paul Pierce.

Pierce, who had served as an instrumental part of Kansas’ offense during his time with the team, came to the Celtics as a young and versatile forward. Paul was fresh off a season in Kansas where he was named a finalist for the John Wooden and Naismith awards with his exemplary 20.4 ppg. His early years were rough, but “The Truth” stayed the course and waited for his time to break out and fight for a championship.

His chance finally came in the 2008 season.

New General Manager Danny Ainge made a series of bold moves that quickly changed the identity of the team, starting with his trade for Ray Allen of the then Seattle Supersonics. Shortly after, Ainge landed former league MVP Kevin Garnett from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the single largest trade in NBA history.

The trio clicked almost instantly, bulldozing their way to a league best 66 wins and the greatest single-season turnaround in NBA history. With Pierce and Allen spearheading the offense and Garnett holding down the defensive front, Boston won their 17th championship not one year after posting a 24-58 record.

After the 2008 season, the Celtics failed to reach the finals until 2010. But the Big Three defeated the top seeded Cleveland Cavaliers, and avenged their loss to the Orlando Magic the season prior, reaching the finals despite their poor seeding in the playoffs (4th in the Eastern Conference).

Both series were against old-time rival Kobe Bryant, and both featured numerous first ballot Hall-of-Famers. The Celtics jumped up to an emphatic 3-2 start, Rajon Rondo made the jump from serviceable floor general to one of the top point guards the NBA had to offer.

But alas, the Celtics were unable to keep their lead, as rising center Kendrick Perkins suffered a torn ACL that kept him out of the remainder of the series, costing Boston a shot at an 18th championship banner and an even further lead on the Lakers for best franchise in the NBA.

While the Celtics still currently hold the most titles in the history of the association, the Lakers’ recent success has swayed more than just a few casual fans across the league.