June 17 has two famous Boston Celtics games that give Cs fans positive and negative memories. The two games took place with the original Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen revolutionized the way NBA rosters were constructed and started the superteam era.
The positive game is the Celtics defeating the Los Angles Lakers in the 2008 NBA Finals’ Game 6 to win their 17th championship. The other is without a doubt, the most heartbreaking loss of the 21st century: the 2010 NBA Finals Game 7 loss to the Lakers.
I may be dating myself, but I was seven years old (I am now 22) when Game 6 of the 2008 Finals happened on this day. I remember the Boston Celtics destroying the Lakers 131-92 and finally getting on the mountaintop again. That season was the most special of my life because the Celtics had the greatest single-season turnaround in NBA history.
The game also produced one of the most iconic moments in franchise history, with Garnett screaming, “anything is possible.” It’s always nice to see this moment played on the timeline every year on this date.
https://twitter.com/espnnba/status/1670086323816873985?s=43&t=tl1vi_5oRbT0Bszqudos9w
Now, unfortunately, this day in Boston Celtics history produced by far the most heartbreaking loss of the 21st century and my lifetime. The Celtics fell 83-79 to the Lakers in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals, and it would be the last time they made the Finals until 2022.
As a nine-year-old, I remember the Celtics holding a lead for most of the game, despite playing without center Kendrick Perkins. What transpired in the fourth quarter, with Ron Artest hitting a dagger right into the hearts of Celtics fans, was brutal.
Seeing that Celtics core lose that game and only finish with one title will forever haunt Celtics fans.
"Kobe passed me the ball!"
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 17, 2023
It has been 13 years since Metta Sandiford-Artest gave us this memorable quote after winning the 2010 NBA Finals 😂 pic.twitter.com/DpZMsGyOJQ
The Boston Celtics have yet to provide new significant anniversaries
Ultimately, this anniversary day is also a reminder that the Celtics need to get back to those moments. The Celtics’ original Big Three was a loveable team, and they were winners. The current Celtics core needs to get it together and help return the franchise to its rightful place on top of the mountain.